Faith/Community Health Registered Nurse (RN) / Mission Services

Faith/Community Health Registered Nurse (RN)

Start here at St. Vincent's Medical Center and work where every moment matters! St. Vincent's Medical Center doesn't just take great care of our patients; we take great care of our Registered Nurses too! Our benefit options at St. Vincent's are designed so you can care for yourself and your family, just as you care for others when you are here.

Job Summary: The Community Health RN is a Registered Nurse within Mission Services/Community Health responsible for advancing prevention-focused community health initiatives, improving access to care, and supporting community health priorities across the Fairfield Region. Working closely with the Manager of Mission Services/Community Health & Engagement, this role leads community-based screenings, delivers culturally responsive health education, and strengthens partnerships with community and faith-based organizations. The Community Health Nurse serves as the coordinator for the Faith Community Nursing Program (FCNP), working closely with pastors, faith leaders, and Faith Community Nurses (FCNs) to develop and sustain health ministries and expand program reach. This position also supports community-based clinical education and workforce development by collaborating with local universities and our Nursing Professional Development department to provide students with meaningful public health learning experiences. The role provides clinical guidance in field settings and contributes to the preparation of future nurses through mentorship and applied community health practice. This position serves as a representative of St. Vincent's Medical Center across various community settings, supporting implementation of strategies and tactics aligned with the regional Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and both the regional and hospital-specific Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs).

Responsibilities:

• Community Health and Clinical Services (not related to FCN) 30%
• Serve as the clinical lead during outreach activities, guiding workflows and providing direction and support to Community Health Workers, students, and team members/other colleagues.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver community-based prevention and outreach initiatives aligned with Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) priorities and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). This includes leading Know Your Numbers screenings, Mobile Food Pantry, blood pressure and A1c screenings, and health education focused on chronic disease prevention, risk reduction, and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
• Ensure safe, accurate, and high-quality clinical practices in all community-based activities.
• Work with community health workers to support access to care by coordinating referrals and reinforcing follow-up engagement based on screening results.
• Collect, track, and report outreach activities and outcomes to support Community Benefit requirements and program evaluation, ensuring accurate documentation and data entry.
• Faith Community Nursing Program Coordination 30%
• Coordinate and sustain the Faith Community Nurse (FCN) program across participating faith-based organizations, maintaining strong relationships with pastors and faith leaders to support and strengthen health ministries within congregations, including identifying and responding to needs with appropriate support and resources.
• Support and mentor Faith Community Nurses through orientation, ongoing guidance, education, and access to resources to strengthen FCN nursing practice, while ensuring continuity of the program through recruitment and succession planning within participating faith communities.
• Facilitate engagement across the network by leading regular communication and monthly meetings, maintaining program structure (including covenant agreements and annual check-ins), and ensuring consistent participation among faith communities and nurses.
• Expand the reach and impact of the program by increasing the number of member faith-based organizations and actively engaged Faith Community Nurses.
• Collect, track, and report program data and outcomes.
• Student Engagement/Precepting 15%
• Collaborate with local universities and HHC Nursing Professional Development to support public health clinical education experiences aligned with community outreach activities.
• Provide mentorship, clinical guidance, and hands-on learning opportunities for students during community-based screenings, education, and outreach initiatives.
• Support the development of student competencies in community health practice, health education, and patient engagement in real-world settings.
• Community Partnerships & Collaboration - 10%
• Build and maintain partnerships with community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, housing sites, and community centers, to support outreach and access to care.
• Serve as a representative of St. Vincent's Medical Center in community settings, outreach activities, and partnership meeting, including the Health Improvement Alliance (HIA).
• Collaborate with Community Health Workers, and community partners, HHC colleagues, departments and service lines, to address barriers impacting access, engagement, and health outcomes.
• Professional Practice & Compliance 5%
• Maintain required certifications and professional competencies related to community health and faith community nursing (e.g., FCN Coordinator certification, if applicable).
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, clinical standards, and applicable regulations in all community-based activities.
• Other Responsibilities 10%
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Demonstrate sound clinical judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to work independently in community-based environments.
• Adhere to all safety and infection control protocols.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in nursing. Experience: Three (3) yrs of previous nursing experience. Five years of previous nursing experience in faith community nursing or community health preferred. Licensure, Certification, Registration: Current RN license from the CT DPH. BLS certification. Must obtain certification as FCN Coordinator through the Westburg Institute within 6 months of hire. Certification as FCN Coordinator through the Westburg Institute preferred. Language Skills: Ability to read, write and understand English (fluency). Can speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, French or Portuguese highly preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Ability Requirements: Must be proficient in a variety of computer software applications: Microsoft Word, Excel and other Office applications as necessary. Ability to quickly build strong relationships with targeted community residents and Parish Nurses. Ability to educate and speak in large, diversified groups. Knowledge of patient health education principles and practices. Ability to provide health coaching or counseling services. Ability to organize, prioritize, and plan/schedule work tasks. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to exercise good judgment related to recommending services. Must possess the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Comfortable with working directly in the community and in non-traditional settings. Must be able to travel between various locations within the community to perform duties valid driver's license and reliable transportation preferred. Ability to flex schedule based on patient and program needs.

What our nurses' love about St. Vincent's Medical Center:

• Automatic enrollment into the Nurse Residency Program for all graduate RNs with less than one year of experience.
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250.00 after six months of employment and up to 40% tuition discounts with partnering institutions for colleagues AND dependents.
• Loan forgiveness for qualifying existing student loans.
• Employee assistance and wellness programs include a strong focus on promoting mental health.
• Paid time off and health insurance packages.
• Free parking on-site.
• Discounts on services, products and optional coverages movie tickets, pet insurance, travel and more!
• Opportunities to join Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) to bring together colleagues who share similar backgrounds to raise common concerns/advocate for those who historically have not had a voice in leadership decision-making.

Committed to nursing excellence, St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport is a twice-designated Magnet hospital. With more than 3,200 employees, it includes a 473-bed teaching hospital, a 76-bed inpatient psychiatric facility and special needs services for adults and children. St. Vincent's is also a Level 2 Trauma Center, certified by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma. Now part of Hartford HealthCare, it is the fastest growing hospital in the state providing more advanced surgical procedures and expanding access to care. A large provider group, comprised of the region's foremost experts, provides convenient patient access from Stamford to Milford and nearly everywhere in between. Founded in 1903, St. Vincent's remains steadfast in its mission to provide compassionate, personalized care to the community. St. Vincent's Medical Center is part of Hartford HealthCare, a system that includes 7 acute care hospitals, a comprehensive Behavioral Health Network, Home Care services, Senior Services, and an extensive Medical Group network. Hartford HealthCare's unified culture enhances access, affordability, equity and excellence. Its care-delivery system of more than 40,000 colleagues in more than 500 locations serving 185 towns across Connecticut offers unparalleled expertise-touching more than 23,000 lives every single day. Here you'll learn, grow, and contribute to healing and health as part of one of Connecticut's premier health systems. No