Job Type

Full-time

Description

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

People experiencing homelessness
Indigenous communities
Immigrant communities
Rural communities
BIPoC communities
LGBTQIA+ communities
Justice-impacted communities

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. The WEA team's partnership model is collaborative and allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.

Elevate your career to new heights with an opportunity that transcends traditional healthcare boundaries! Wellness Equity Alliance is actively seeking compassionate and driven individuals for several pivotal roles in our groundbreaking Street Medicine program. Street Medicine is an innovative and compassionate approach to healthcare, designed to meet individuals experiencing homelessness right where they are: on the streets, in shelters, or within underserved communities. Working for WEA is more than a job; it's a calling to serve those who are most in need, directly in their environment.

Purpose of the position

WEA has launched a unique street medicine program featuring mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and infectious disease in Los Angeles! The most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness have likely been failed by institutions many times in their lives, and their mistrust of authorities, institutions, and individual care providers may represent an attempt at self- protection that, over time, becomes a barrier to accessing care and resources that could improve their lives. The street medicine team will work to build trusting relationships with people who are in need of medical services, work to decrease the logistical barriers that block access to health care and provide care directly to the places where unhoused individuals live.

As an RN Care Manager, this position provides oversight of direct clinical care in accordance with organizational policies and procedures which promotes public and community health within the LA area by assisting individuals in adopting healthy behaviors, with the ultimate goal of improving health disparities in the unhoused community. Additionally, the RN is responsible for the mental and physical well-being of the community by advocating for health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and education. The RN is a trusted member of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the RN to serve as the first healthcare professional who defines evident or underlying health issues.

As these positions represent some of the early roles to help build this program, the street medicine RN Care Manager must have a considerable understanding of and direct experience working with communities, in a public health capacity.

Key Responsibilities

Provides health coaching, patient navigation, health education and/or health promotion for a diverse patient panel within the health district and region
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records on medical information, to include recording critical encounter data into systems or on patient health records
Makes assessments, based on encounter and patient interaction; communicates to consumers effectively and exercises compassionate patient centered service
Administers medication in accordance with established standards and procedures; ensures administration is accurate; assesses for any allergic reaction, as required
Assist with or instituting emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment
Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes
Handles and stores vaccinations and medications in accordance with CDC and organizational policies and procedures
Provide personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to patients; take and administer labs, including handling specimens
Perform physical examination; take vital signs; provide referrals, as required.
Participate in community special educational outreach projects such as screenings and health fairs
Perform thorough health assessments for clients in the street medicine program, including physical, mental, and social health evaluations, to identify their healthcare needs and determine eligibility for the ECM program.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for ECM clients, outlining specific goals, interventions, and timelines. Regularly review and update these plans based on client progress and changing needs.
Deliver direct healthcare services to clients in the street medicine program and ECM clients, including wound care, medication administration, and chronic disease management. Educate clients on health maintenance and disease prevention to promote self-management and improve health outcomes.
Act as a liaison between clients, healthcare providers, and community resources to ensure seamless care delivery. Facilitate referrals to specialist services, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and other social services as required.
Regularly monitor and evaluate the health status and overall well-being of ECM clients. Collect data to assess the effectiveness of care plans and make evidence-based adjustments as necessary to achieve desired health outcomes.

Requirements

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Must possess an unexpired, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college of university; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
PHN preferred, but not required
Some experience with case management/care coordination preferred, but not required
Demonstrated history of experience successfully working with diverse cultural backgrounds, in a healthcare capacity
Strong preference for BL/BC in Spanish (not required). Preference to cultural competence with LatinX communities
Ability to work both independently and to collaborate with teams of individuals in diverse settings, using a solution-oriented approach
Preference given to candidates with previous experience working as a Public Health Nurse, in an RN capacity
Must possess active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Preferred Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of clinical nursing practices and procedures (PHN is strongly desired, but not required)
Demonstrated knowledge of infectious diseases such as HIV, STIs, COVID-19, and industry standard treatments of such
Skill in the use of equipment and tools, including needles, stethoscope etc.
Skilled in-patient intake and triage procedures
Demonstrated knowledge of local and regional community resources
Demonstrated knowledge of public health programs
Skilled in utilizing appropriate industry standard assessment techniques
Demonstrated ability to provide appropriate guidance and positive customer service while utilizing a patient centered approach

Salary Description

$90,000 - $115,000 annual

Wellness Equity Alliance

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Street Medicine Nurse Manager