Advanced Practice Clinician - Harm Reduction Clinic

Multnomah County (OR) • Portland, OR

41d • $62 - $79

About The Position

THIS WORK MATTERS! Join us at Multnomah County Health Department, where we are seeking individuals who embody leadership, achievement, and action in a dynamic and ever-evolving environment. Our mission is at the heart of everything we do: to collaborate with communities, advance health equity, safeguard the most vulnerable, and foster health and wellness for all. Guided by our core values of Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity, and Integrity, we strive to create a workplace culture characterized by respect, trust, and understanding for the incredibly diverse populations we serve in our communities. Multnomah County Public Health delivers needed health care services to adults at risk of infections and other public health priorities, specifically aiming to improve the quality of life for people who use drugs and those at risk for STIs and vaccine-preventable illnesses. The Advanced Practice Clinician (APC) will be the primary provider at the Harm Reduction Clinic (HRC), which currently operates two days per week. The core clinical work involves providing effective evaluations, diagnosis, treatment plans, and prevention services, with a specific focus on the evaluation and treatment of wounds and abscesses associated with substance use, as well as HIV/STD testing, diagnosis, and treatment. The APC will collaborate with the Multnomah County STD Clinic, Primary Care, Pharmacy, and Corrections Health, and is expected to provide referrals for services outside the HRC's scope. The clinic environment features a Syringe Access Program where non-clinical staff provide essentials like naloxone and safer injection supplies. The role requires an ideal candidate who can work independently in the assessment and care of HRC clients. Responsibilities include performing key clinical tasks such as phlebotomy, specimen collection, basic microscopy, administering injections, and performing abscess incision and drainage and other wound care. The APC must complete their own documentation in the electronic health record (Epic). Priority services at the HRC include wound/abscess care, STD services, and Medication Supported Recovery (MSR), with a goal to expand the clinic to a third day weekly. Crucially, the APC must be adaptable to a clinical environment that varies daily in client volume and health status, and be open to providing or referring for MSR and HCV diagnosis/treatment. The clinician must consistently demonstrate effective, positive and respectful communication with all patients and staff, utilizing active listening, empathy, courtesy, and cultural sensitivity to promote positive health behavior modifications with clients.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Nursing AND one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position OR
• Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies AND one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position
• License required to practice medicine as a Nurse Practitioner as outlined by Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 678.375 OR
• License required to practice medicine as a Physician Assistant as outlined by Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 677.515
• BLS certification required
• DEA License

Nice To Haves

• Training or experience in working with Electronic Health Record systems, preferably Epic.
• Experience working with specific groups and with ethnically and culturally diverse populations.
• Demonstrated understanding, implementation, and promotion of harm reduction principles in all aspects of clinical care.
• Experience in medication assisted recovery (e.g. medications for opioid use disorder, MOUD, MSR or MAT) including experience in opioid withdrawal management.

Responsibilities

• Formulate appropriate diagnoses and implement treatment plans including performing diagnosis and treatment of genital and sexually transmitted infections (STI) and wound care (e.g., skin/soft tissue infections and chronic conditions).
• Perform sexual health history, physical examination, and specimen collection. Order and interpret laboratory studies, including on-site provider performed microscopy. Perform venipuncture, injection of intramuscular antibiotics as needed.
• Prescribe medications such as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), doxy-PEP, contraceptives, and antibiotics. Provide or facilitate ultra low barrier medication access or referrals to support recovery and reduce risk of overdose.
• Provide health education and follow-up patient consultations (including telehealth). Develop and direct patient-centered care plans with the assistance of the care team, and refer patients when beyond the scope of practice.
• Maintain exam room cleanliness and supply in coordination with HRC staff.
• Offer consultation to nursing staff, HRC program staff, Health Department Clinics, and community providers for continuity of care. Assess and counsel patients regarding additional care needs, including preventative healthcare and specialty services.
• Provide appropriate advice on the management of STDs to county or community health care providers, following HRC, STI Program clinical guidelines, and CDC treatment guidelines.
• Make appropriate referrals to care, including specialty and rehabilitative services. Partner with the Health Officer/Medical Director and HRC Coordinator to coordinate STI-related care between the two public health clinics.
• Provide direction to Community Health Specialists, Community Health Nurses, and other staff to implement care plans. Partner with the Senior Harm Reduction Specialist and Corrections Health to enhance and improve MSR (Medication Supported Recovery) access.
• Assist in developing and implementing protocols, procedures, and teaching tools for employees. Participate in precepting students, volunteers, and new staff, and provide in-service training.
• Responsible for the timely and accurate documentation of client care, including documenting appropriately and clearly in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Review client records for needs for medications, treatments, education, or referrals related to HIV, STIs, skin infections, substance use disorder, or Hepatitis C.
• Utilize panel based information technology tools to prioritize and direct proactive care for HRC clients.
• Apply division, department, and general healthcare requirements for patient privacy (such as HIPAA) and other compliance standards.

Benefits

• Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more.
• Find more details on our benefits website.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees