Registered Nurse (RN) - CSC

Downtown Emergency Service Center•Seattle, WA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) works primarily with clients who need psychiatric and other medical attention and shares responsibility with the team for coordinating medication services. The position operates under the supervision of the Medical Director and ARNP Supervisor and in cooperation with other clinical supervisors. The RN coordinates medical care, monitors and administers medications, assesses clients’ mental status and treatment effects, and connects clients with appropriate health services. The role also provides client education, staff consultation, group treatment support, and crisis assistance. 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. The position is part of a union represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. The schedule is a day shift from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with variable days off and flexibility required to meet program and staffing needs.

Requirements

Current Registered Nurse license in good standing in Washington State; if licensed under the 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.
Interest or experience working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs.
Ability to work flexible hours as required by program and staffing needs.
Valid Washington State driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
Ability to pass a Washington State criminal background check.
Knowledge of harm reduction strategies.
Ability to relate to a wide range of people, strong communication skills, and a desire to serve homeless clients with mental illness.
Ability and interest in providing case consultation with multidisciplinary staff.
Ability to remain open and receptive to constructive feedback.
Ability to communicate and coordinate with staff from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant or bizarre behavior.
Commitment to cooperation and continuity across programs and to treating clients with consideration and respect.
Ability to sit for long periods, communicate by talking and hearing, lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds, and operate computer hardware systems.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and skill in working with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, homeless or formerly homeless individuals, and crisis intervention and stabilization.
Familiarity with Recovery Principles, Crisis Intervention and Stabilization, Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders, Intensive Case Management, Illness Management, and relevant evidence-based or emerging best practices.
Bachelor of Nursing degree.
Bilingual Spanish/English.
Ability to respond empathetically and positively, understand the value of meaningful client engagement, develop the knowledge and skills of an effective crisis worker, and respond non-judgmentally to sensitive issues.
Ability to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and potentially stressful environment.

Responsibilities

Coordinate client care with a multidisciplinary team of social workers and case managers, chemical dependency professionals, peer support specialists, psychiatric nurses, and other mental health staff.
Under the ARNP Supervisor’s guidance, coordinate medical aspects of care, including monitoring and administering medications to meet clients’ needs.
Educate clients about their treatment and medical and mental health conditions.
Assess clients’ mental status on an ongoing basis and monitor the positive effects and side effects of 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 trainings, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Maintain current and complete clinical records, follow clinical accountability policies and procedures, and participate in quality assurance reviews.
Follow applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
Assess clients’ health care needs and facilitate connections to urgent, primary, and specialty health services.
Advocate for clients’ access to community resources and services, consult and collaborate with community providers, and support continuity of care and client rights.
Help plan, organize, and facilitate group treatment services for CSC consumers.
Coordinate services closely with CDF, CDIS, and MCT supervisors and case management staff.
Promote and maintain positive relationships with the surrounding neighborhood.
Participate in verbal de-escalation and physical interventions during emergencies and assist staff as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Perform other duties as assigned.