Salary

$36.65 - $50.07 Hourly

Location

Various Locations throughout King County, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Hours Vary

Job Number

2023AMC19000

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Community Health Services

Opening Date

05/25/2023

Closing Date

6/11/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

R2 : WSNA-Staff Nurses-DPH, DAJD

Summary

Public Health Seattle-King County Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Mobile Medical Program Street Medicine team is hiring two career service Public Health Nurses to join our team. We seek Public Health Nurses who are self-directed, creative, flexible and skilled in field based clinical work as well as being committed to an anti-racist and harm reduction nursing practice.

The Street Medicine Team seeks out and brings medical, behavioral health care and social services directly to people living outside, i.e.: "rough sleepers". The Street Medicine team aims to engage people in health education, professional and peer support, and treatment for their medical and behavioral health conditions via a trauma-informed, antiracist and harm reduction approach.

In this role, the PHN will work with the multidisciplinary Street Medicine Team that addresses the medical, behavioral health care and harm reduction needs of people living homeless. The PHN level work includes nursing assessments, wound care, point of care testing, COVID testing, vaccinations, and provision of test results.

This role may occasionally provide support to the Mobile Medical Vans providing float coverage as well as to increase capacity for conducting nurse visits.

The ideal candidate will have sound experience in providing nursing care in ambulatory care and outreach settings.

Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan .

Job Duties

• Provide outreach and direct nursing care to people living homeless in community settings including day centers, encampments, and outside in the field.
• While working with the Street Team, carry a backpack with outreach and medical supplies during 3-to-5-hour shift. (Backpack weighs up to 25 lbs.; staff carry packs for only part of the shift). Must be able to stand for up to 5 hours at a time and be willing to provide care outside and in the field.
• Facilitate linkages to primary care, behavioral health care, and specialty care.
• Share the responsibility with other Street Medicine Team staff to drive and park a Sprinter van to various sites as well as help with loading outreach and medical supplies on and off van and to help to fill and empty water tanks. (Training is available for driving the van).
• Provide occasional coverage for the two mobile medical vans in South County and Seattle.
• Obtain and document health history and make nursing diagnosis based on nursing assessment.
• Conduct STI assessment and testing, provide vaccinations (including COVID vaccines), wound care, point of care testing, and provision of test results.
• Document in electronic medical records per policy and standards.
• Provide expertise regarding public health nursing scope, practice and policy at many levels.
• Provide program planning, monitoring local work plans and progress toward program goals.
• Participate in quality assurance activities to meet laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Provide training, orientation and education to staff, clients, students and the community.
• Provide birth control and pregnancy options counseling (including referrals for pregnancy termination services).
• Assist with tracking client engagement and connections to community health agencies.
• Adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and attend staff/team meetings.
• Train clients on the use of naloxone and dispense naloxone.
• Assess and counsel clients regarding opiate use disorder and medication assisted treatment.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Requirements:

• Current Washington State Registered Nurse license
  
• Bachelor's degree in nursing science or a graduate level nursing degree of MSN, DNP or PhD from an approved Washington State Nursing Commission accredited school of nursing
  
• Must hold a current and valid health care provider basic life support (BLS) certification.
  
• Washington State Driver's License or the ability to provide transportation to work locations with limited or no public transportation services may be required.
  
  

Desired:

• Bilingual in Spanish/English
• Bicultural
• Experience providing health education and nursing care to individuals who are living homeless with substance use and mental health conditions.
• Ability to apply knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and equity & social justice principles to nursing practice.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, independently manage time and handle multiple tasks.
• Personal flexibility, a sense of humor and the ability to accept feedback while working with a highly collaborative team.
• Skilled in motivational interviewing.
• Experience in verbal de-escalation and physical interventions in emergent situations to maintain a safe and secure environment.

Who May Apply: These positions are open to all minimally qualified applicants. This posting will be used to fill all needs.

Interviews will be held June 20th and 21st

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8-hour shifts with occasional evenings.

Work Location: Various locations throughout King County

CONTACT: For more information, contact Amy M. Curtis, BSN, RN, Healthcare Recruitment Manager at amy.curtis@kingcounty.gov

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement :
If you are the successful candidate for the position(s), as a condition of your employment, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to work in the medical clinic(s) outlined in this job posting prior to your start date. To ensure this condition is met, prior to your start date, the county will send you a conditional offer letter requesting you to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite gyms and activity centers
• Employee giving program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.