Registered Nurse (RN) - WellConnect

DESC•Seattle, WA

12d•$108,557 - $119,855

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) is part of a multidisciplinary team providing ongoing wraparound services to adults living in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), primarily Medicaid-eligible clients who need psychiatric and other medical care. The RN coordinates medical aspects of care, including medication services, and works under the supervision of the Nursing Supervisor, Senior Nurse Manager, and Nursing Director in cooperation with other clinical supervisors. The role combines psychiatric and medication care with clinical and social support. The RN assesses clients’ health care needs, supports connections to urgent, primary, and specialty care, provides client education, and collaborates with community providers and colleagues to promote continuity of care. The position also involves clinical documentation, quality assurance, team consultation, training, and participation in program meetings and case reviews. WellConnect operates 10 hours per day, Monday through Friday, and also operates on weekends and holidays. Staff work a regular schedule of either Tuesday–Saturday or Sunday–Thursday, including a weekend day and rotating holiday shifts. Staff participate in a paid on-call rotation providing 24-hour crisis coverage, by phone and in person. The posted schedule lists Friday and Saturday as days off and day shifts of 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with one day per week from 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.; the requirements section describes the regular schedule as a mix of 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. shifts. DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider serving people experiencing long-term homelessness and complex behavioral health and medical conditions. It operates shelter and emergency housing programs, permanent supportive housing, and behavioral health services.

Requirements

Registered Nurse licensed in good standing in Washington State. For a Nurse Licensure Compact Multistate License, compliance with RCW 71.12.740 and NLC MSL Rule 402.2 is a condition of employment.
Knowledge of psychiatric medications, their side effects, and methods of administration.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency-related business; a current Washington State driver’s license and an insurable driving record are required.
Ability to meet WellConnect scheduling requirements, including a regular Tuesday–Saturday or Sunday–Thursday schedule, shifts including 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., and holiday work.
Participation in the regular paid on-call rotation for 24-hour mental health crisis coverage, by phone and in person.
Interest or experience working with adults experiencing or who have experienced homelessness and disability related to mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Flexibility, willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and accept new responsibilities, and ability to work cooperatively with team members.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently, and exercise professional judgment.
Interest in or experience working with participants who are difficult to engage and refer to traditional programs.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from varied backgrounds.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
Commitment to cooperation and continuity across programs and to consideration and respect for clients.
Ability to establish supportive, trusting relationships with people with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
Respect for participant rights and personal treatment preferences, and understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
Ability to sit for long periods, communicate by talking and hearing, lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds, and operate computer systems.
Vision abilities required include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Nursing degree.
Nursing certifications.
Bilingual in Spanish and English.
Experience working on a PACT or ACT team.

Responsibilities

Coordinate medical aspects of client care, including monitoring and administering medications in ways that meet clients’ needs.
Educate clients about treatment and their medical and mental health conditions.
Develop and engage clients in health promotion activities, including health and wellness clinics, smoking cessation efforts, and disease-prevention education.
Continuously assess clients’ mental status and the benefits and side effects of current treatment.
Provide specialized training and consultation to staff on medical and mental health issues related to clients and their care.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings, in-service training, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Maintain current and complete clinical records; follow clinical accountability and agency policies and procedures; and participate in quality assurance reviews.
Follow applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
Participate in a multidisciplinary team providing ongoing case management services to people living in Permanent Supportive Housing.
Assess clients’ health care needs and facilitate links to and ongoing connections with urgent, primary, and specialty health services.
Advocate for clients’ access to community resources and services, particularly primary health care, and collaborate with community providers to support continuity of care and protect client rights.
Participate in planning, organizing, and facilitating group treatment services for mental health program clients.
Coordinate services closely with mental health program supervisors and case management staff.
Participate in a paid on-call rotation providing 24-hour crisis coverage for WellConnect clients, by phone and in person.
Perform other duties as assigned.