Alternative Response Unit Nurse Practitioner

Position: Alternative Response Unit (ARU) Nurse Practitioner (PNP or FNP)Location: Alameda County Fire Department Station 10 (San Leandro, CA)Shift: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am-7:00pm (10 hr shift)Salary Range: $60 – 80 per hourThis is an in person/onsite, full-time, benefited position.Cardea Health is search of an organized and motivated person to work as a nurse practitioner (PMNP or FNP) as part of the Alternative Response Unit Pilot Program with the City of San Leandro. The nurse practitioner will work alongside community health workers and an emergency medical technician (EMT) to respond to non-violent 911 calls related to quality of life, wellbeing, or a mental health or substance use crisis. The alternative response unit will respond either instead of law enforcement, with law enforcement, or after law enforcement depending on the situation. The alternative response unit will provide de-escalation and treatment in the field and connect clients with needed resources.The nurse practitioner will provide a variety of functions to support alternative response unit. As part of an interdisciplinary team, the nurse pracitioner will provide culturally affirmative behavioral healthcare and advocacy for clients. This includes an assessment and diagnosis of a client’s behavioral health needs and recommendations for ongoing treatment and care.The ideal candidate will be invested in Cardea Health’s mission of serving marginalized populations with compassion and empathy. The nurse pracitioner will need to be flexible, patient, and willing to work in challenging environments with a diverse population. Experience with homeless or incarcerated individuals is highly desirable. Experience in psychiatric nursing will also be considered. This is an excellent position for someone who is seeking to be a part of an organization that is creating innovative programs to serve the most vulnerable populations.Required Qualifications:Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Science and an advanced degree in a healthcare science as required by the State Licensing programMinimum of two (2) years of full-time experience, or its part-time equivalent, working as a PMNP or FNP.Completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner programAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Family Nurse Practitioner.Licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner in the State of practiceStrong clinical skills and experience providing integrated treatment to persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disordersActive DEA and Furnishing licensesActive BLS certificationSelf-directed and able to work with minimal supervisionMust be detail oriented and highly organized.Must comply with all agency policiesMust be COVID vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated.Prior experience with homeless or incarcerated populations is desirable.Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel is required.Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The nurse practitioner will assist the alternative response unit with responding to 911 calls directed to the team and provide clients with services in the field. Duties include:Rides on the alternative response vehicle alongside the community health workers and EMT to respond to non-violent 911 calls involving behavioral health, substance use, and quality of life concerns.Provides crisis assessment and manages level of risk for clients in distress.Provides appropriate treatment in the field and identifies the appropriate next steps for care connection.Potentially evaluates for 5150 holds.Assesses if a client needs to be taken to the hospital or if stabilization can be provided in the community.Maintains strong working knowledge of DSM5 diagnostic criteria, specifically for substance use and severe mental illness (SMI).Assures that connections are made to services and supports based on individual choice and clinical assessment.Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with providers, facilities, community resources, etc and facilitates warm hand-offs as needed.Maintains accurate and up to date documentation as required by program deliverables and departmental, local, state and federal policy requirements.Participates in clinical and administrative supervision, case conferences, staff meetings, in-service training, continuing education,Practices harm reduction principles, including interventions that minimize harmful effects of substance use while treating all clients with dignity and respect.Other duties and responsibilities as required.Physical Demands:Employees may need to stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, use arms, hands, and fingers. Employees will frequently need to communicate and listen.Requires clear close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.Employees may be occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.About Cardea Health:Cardea Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate health care to marginalized populations. Our mission is to create and support programs that protect the health and autonomy of vulnerable individuals and promote equity and social justice to improve the well-being of our entire community #J-18808-Ljbffr Cardea Health