Community Health Nurse, Adult Shelters

Community Health Nurse, Adult Shelters

PHMC serves as both a direct service provider to individuals, families, and communities across the region and an intermediary agent, managing large-scale contracts, government and philanthropic partnerships, and multidisciplinary initiatives that require operational sophistication, strategic leadership, and deep mission alignment.

The community health nurse coordinates services in shelters for homeless adults and families (rotates between 2-3 assigned shelter locations). The community health nurse will provide triage of acute health problems, coordinate medical care provided by community healthcare providers, and function as a team member with the extended HCH shelter outreach team. All services are provided in collaboration with on-site shelter management staff, the nursing supervisor, and community providers serving the shelter population. The nurse reports to the Supervisor of Shelter Services.

Age of Patient Population Served: Pediatric (birth 19 yrs), Adult (19 64 yrs), Geriatric (65 yrs & older), Nonage Specific Task (N/A) - Population, Bariatric Patients: BMI greater than 40, or greater than 35 with weight-related comorbidities, Patient with exceptional communication needs, Patient with developmental delays, Patient at the end of life, Patient under isolation precautions, All Populations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical:

• Provide triage, referring clients to emergency departments, Health Connections, or other health care providers, as appropriate.
• Provide client-centered health services that incorporate self-management plans.
• Provide age-appropriate immunizations according to the most recent CDC immunization schedule, utilizing standing orders.
• Provide family planning / HIV services, including testing and counseling according to the most recent Family Planning Council guidelines within the scope of RN practice.
• Provide/coordinate chronic disease management; educate the client re: self- care and medication management.
• Provide nursing case management, tracking referrals, labs, and follow-up.
• Document all services promptly.
• Submit paperwork weekly; reports biweekly.
• Observe HIPAA requirements and provide patient privacy within the limitations of the site.
• Organize group education programs, as appropriate, for the target population.
• Train shelter staff (as needed) on universal precautions, communicable disease prevention and management, medication management, and other health issues.
• Additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Coordination:

• Collaborate with shelter case managers to facilitate services to residents
• Advocate for consumers, as appropriate.
• Notify immediate supervisor of any significant problems, including client care, staffing, changes/issues at sites, and system problems.
• Connect clients to primary care, behavioral health, family violence, or other social services as needed.
• Oversee tracking of follow-up, HIPAA compliance, medication safety, and other risk management activities at clinical sites.
• Oversee lab services, medical waste pick-up, manage shelter supplies, and other shelter-based services.
• Develop collaborative relationships with shelter providers and community health care providers. Coordinate referral for services to on-site and community providers.
• Meet with the Director of Shelter Services (in-person or teleconference) weekly to discuss the progress of residents on-site.
• Assume new responsibilities as new needs are identified.

Environment of care:

• Check the emergency box monthly, and maintain a log. Restock as needed.
• Check the fire extinguisher monthly. Maintain log. Report problems to the supervisor.
• Submit the environment of care report monthly for each site. Discuss any deficiencies with the Director of Shelter Services.
• Maintain medical equipment and logs. Report problems to the supervisor.
• Manage proper biohazard waste disposal. Report biohazard waste management issues to the supervisor.
• Manage lab specimen collection, proper patient identification on specimens, and complete appropriate lab slips. Organize lab service pick-up as needed.
• Manage shelter supplies by online ordering and Family Planning supplies through the Family Planning Coordinator.
• Order VFARR vaccines according to Philadelphia Department of Health Immunization Program guidelines. Monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures, maintain logs.

Infection Control:

• Observe ambulatory care guidelines for infection control (hand washing, care of environment, use of safety syringes and sharps containers, use of personal protective equipment).
• Notify the Infection Control Coordinator immediately of suspected or confirmed cases of communicable disease.
• Manage or participate, as needed, in shelter-based communicable disease outbreaks, emergency preparedness/disaster response, and other health initiatives.
• Participate in emergency preparedness educational activities; become a member of the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps.
• Assume new responsibilities as new needs are identified.

Skills:

• Good written and verbal communication skills in English
• Experience in primary care, community health, and/or behavioral health preferred

Experience:

• 3 years in nursing required.

Education:

• Associates in Nursing required.
• BSN or MSN preferred.

Licenses and certifications:

• Pennsylvania RN licensure required.

Travel:

• Visits St. John's, Broad Street Mission, various other sites

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.