Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse Position

Harlem United is the parent company for Upper Room AIDS Ministry (URAM). URAM provides the ADHC services from the Federally Qualified Health Center located in the heart of Harlem. All employees of URAM are responsible to perform their job practicing good risk management, quality assurance, and delivering excellent internal and external customer service. The Registered Nurse position is responsible for planning, delivery, and care to clients, based on needs and concerns and for participating in the development of interdisciplinary care plans. The Registered Nurse serves as a leader and maintains quality of care through an on-going process of assessment, planning, and implementation in order to improve client's health status and maintain an optimal level of wellness.

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are mandatory requirements of the job:

1. Follows accepted standards of nursing practice based on sound scientific principles in providing direct care, performing procedures and in using equipment. Ensures that the nursing evaluation, nursing care, and recommendations for follow-up are documented, dated, and signed in the client's record in a timely manner.
2. Assesses clients within three visits, in a time period not to exceed thirty days from registration-intake, and then on an ongoing basis.
3. Coordinates all necessary client services with other interdisciplinary team members in the comprehensive care planning process.
4. Maintains client caseload for the purpose of coordinating care both within the ADHC and with outside case management providers.
5. Ensures the provision and coordination of client teaching regarding prevention, transmission, and risk reduction and risk elimination strategies for HIV/AIDS.
6. Maintains accurate documentation of all nursing activities.
7. Coordinates client's medical care with external primary health care providers. Assists clients in coordination of medical appointments.
8. Incorporates PCP/Clinic treatment orders into the program's treatment of the client whenever appropriate.
9. Reminds client of upcoming IDC/specialists and PCP/Clinic appointments and obtain reports of findings.
10. Schedules for all follow-up visits.
11. Provides medication management services in accordance with accepted professional practices and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Document of medication administration. Quantifiable compliance with medication treatment and techniques to aid in adherence such as direct observation therapy and pill boxing.
12. Responsible for triaging client care and instructing in self-monitoring including but not limited finger sticks and vital signs.
13. Assess the physical factors relating to the client's illness, need for care, response to treatment and adjustment to the program. Provides nursing care to clients on a routine and crisis basis.
14. Address problems that may have an adverse effect on the client's ability to respond to treatment and ability to attain optimal functioning. These problems may include, but are not limited to, side effects of medications, dangers of polypharmacy, review of Physicians instructions, management of personal hygiene and methods of optimization of ADL skills.
15. Conducts group with both clients and caregivers to provide education, training, and support related to the health needs of the clients and caregivers.
16. Administers STAT medication and inoculation and renders treatment as prescribed by Staff Physician or Nurse Practitioner.
17. Disposing of medical waste and sharps in compliance with the State and Federal regulations.
18. Participates in the formulation of nursing standards and in the evaluation of their effectiveness. Participates in the appropriate Quality Assurance programs.
19. Reviews client's medical history as part of the initial evaluation and the ninety-day or one eighty-day assessment.
20. Reviews and notes changes in the client prescription for care on the medical sheet.
21. Reviews and assesses client compliance. Incorporates compliance and education issues into care plan if necessary.
22. Verifies with PCP/Clinic that client is receiving proper prophylaxis for all opportunistic infections. Acts as liaison to client's family, significant others, and personal attendants in the communication of health care information.
23. Supports and participates in advocacy efforts to end crises of homelessness and AIDS.

Education and Certification

Must be a Registered Nurse, licensed by the State of New York. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred. Experience with persons with HIV/AIDS, histories of substance use, chronic medical diagnosis, and/or mental illness a plus. Experience working in a setting that promotes interdisciplinary care planning.

Special Skills and Knowledge

In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses most or all of the following:

1. Ambulatory experience in a FQHC, Group or Faculty Practice
2. Experience serving persons with HIV/AIDS who may have histories of substance use, chemical dependency, and/or psychosocial or mental problems required
3. Experience working in a setting that promotes interdisciplinary care planning
4. Strong communication skills
5. Strong phone skills and proper etiquette
6. Organizational skills
7. Bilingual English / Spanish preferred