Behavioral Health Resource Center Community Health Nurse

Behavioral Health Resource Center Community Health Nurse

The Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) Community Health Nurse - Part-Time provides professional, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and program participant-centered specialized nursing services with an emphasis on prevention of disease, morbidity and mortality and promotion of health for individuals experiencing houselessness and behavioral health challenges. This position will be part of the Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) team at a center that provides a Day Space, 30-day shelter, and 90-day transitional housing program, inclusive of onsite medical and mental health services with an emphasis on basic needs and promotion of health and in compliance with the Oregon State Board of Nursing standards. This position will work with and provide nursing services to the program participant: assessing acute and chronic medical health conditions according to scope of practice, conducting medical history/screenings, conducting limited physical exams, interpreting diagnostic tests, identifying urgent, emergent and routine status for participant medical concerns. The nurse will be a resource for program participants and staff who have barriers to navigating health care systems, as a way to help navigate, educate, support and flow-through.

As a newly hired BHRC Community Health Nurse - Part-Time you will receive a signing bonus of $2,500 prorated based on FTE (0.8 FTE and higher will not be pro rated). This bonus will be paid in one lump sum on the next regularly scheduled pay date after you start employment with Multnomah County. Furthermore, there will be a retention bonus of $2,000 prorated based on FTE (0.8 FTE and higher will not be prorated) after one year of continuous regular employment. This signing bonus is taxable, and all regular payroll taxes will be withheld.

As the BHRC Community Health Nurse - Part-Time, other duties will include:

First Aid and Care

Assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate health interventions for individuals who may be experiencing houselessness with behavioral health (mental health challenges and or substance use disorders) challenges.

Identifies through a complete nursing assessment, acute and chronic medical conditions according to health nurse scope of practice to include conducting a medical history/screening, conducting limited physical exams, and referring and consulting to licensed independent practitioners.

Provide assessments and basic first aid care to program participants.

Provide assessment and basic first aid care to BHRC participants awaiting referral to higher level of care.

Oversee the development and distribution of the first aid kits.

Care Coordination

With emergency room and medical specialists through Collective portal, and help participants follow through with their discharge orders.

Coordinate care for program participants through referral, follow ups, engaging Primary Care Provider (PCP) and other providers/wrap around services to discuss transition of care and/or presenting issues.

Coordinate with on-site peer support specialists, behavioral health clinical supports, onsite providers, and community partners.

Establishes need for specialty behavioral health services and makes appropriate referrals.

Provide health education to community based organization staff, participants, and other community members, including information related to communicable disease and health inequities.

Referral

Coordinate care for program participants through referral to trauma informed providers within Multnomah County Health Clinics and external community providers to support: Existing health concerns, new health concerns, finding Culturally Specific healthcare resources, a Primary Care Physician, and supporting after visit care recommendations from Emergency Department and other health care visits.

Determines need/schedule for high risk referrals or those needing emergency services at a higher level/need.

Makes appropriate crisis intervention referrals and documentation.

When indicated, a BHRC nurse will make a referral to the primary contracted agency serving the participant or to the Behavioral Health Call Center.

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.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED/Transferable Skills*:

Education/Training: Training and experience for this journey level, professional classification is an associate’s degree in nursing and a license to practice as a Registered Nurse.

Certification:

License to practice as a registered nurse as outlined by Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 678.021 (link is external)

CPR certification required.

Other:

This position requires a background investigation, which may include being fingerprinted.

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/ transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates.

Certification in wound care and/or experience with foot and wound care.

Professional or volunteer experience/history working with individuals and communities impacted by behavioral health challenges.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.