Public Health Registered Nurse
Description
The Public Health Nurse (RN) provides nursing services to two priority populations: People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women. The RN will use a harm reduction and trauma informed approach to provide specialized nursing support and HIV/HCV/STI screening and treatment to these populations. The public health RN will also provide administrative support for other clinical activities such as patient walk-in triage, health navigation, risk reduction counseling, supply inventory, and serve as a resource for program staff. The RN will work in episodic clinics.
Representative Duties:
Providing direct patient care, using nursing procedures as appropriate for a Registered Nurse
- Provides episodic care as appropriate to the target populations with an emphasis on HIV and HCV prevention and behavioral issues (i.e. medication compliance, safe sex) and provide follow-up as indicated.
- Assists with patient care under the direction of appropriate medical provider and/or under nursing scope of practice
- Administers medications and vaccinations, (PO, IM, SC, ID).
- Checks supplies for nursing patient encounters and notifies manager or supply ordering designee if additional stock needed
- Administers all medical tests and procedures as per protocol
- Assists with preventative medicine efforts (e.g.: flu, STD, vital sign checks, occupational health)
Health Navigation
- Delivers personalized services to our patients to improve their care using careful assessment, planning, coordination and delivery of care, and outcome evaluation of the plan
- Coordinates follow up care for acutely ill patients including primary care and specialty visits including HCV treatment, substance use services, PrEP, nPEP, and behavioral health.
- Coordinates preventative services for defined population including education, vaccinations, monitoring and arranging for lab tests and referrals
- Evaluates adherence to care plan to promote patient’s well-being
- Documents services in medical record, documenting all appropriate activities and plan
Maintains comprehensive knowledge of medical issues
- Maintains comprehensive knowledge of medical developments in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS and HCV infection, pain management, health issues related to homelessness and injection drug use, as well as and behavioral issues (i.e. medication compliance, safe sex, social and behavioral effects of drug use) as well as other medical conditions appropriate.
- Learn and maintain knowledge regarding harm reduction, and cultural competency regarding drug use.
- Seeks out continuing education opportunities related to essential job functions
- Completes continuing education requirements per the Massachusetts Board of Nursing regulations
- Obtains ACRN or other certifications related to essential job functions within 2 years of hire
- Understands and maintains universal precautions in all clinical activities
Performs other related duties as required
- Conduct community and Street outreach
- Provide coverage across other public health sites in Cambridge and Boston
Requirements
- ASN/BSN/MSN and current licensure as Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Familiarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS (e.g., ANAC certification), and People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)
- Commitment to community-based public health interventions
- Current CPR Certification
- BLS certification
- Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
- Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 2 or more years of experience in an ambulatory care setting
- Experience in a harm reduction setting
- Experience providing harm reduction services to people who use drugs
- Experience providing sexual health services to the LGBTQIA+ community
- Experience with electronic medical records/Epic
We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more. LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Highly experienced individuals may be compensated at a higher rate