Registered Nurse (Per Diem)

At DAP Health, we are committed to transforming lives and advancing health equity for all. As a leading nonprofit health care provider, we deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the diverse communities of the Coachella Valley and San Diego County. Our comprehensive services range from primary care to mental health, wellness programs, and beyond, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable. Joining our team means becoming part of a passionate, innovative organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. If you're looking for a dynamic and purpose-driven environment, we invite you to explore the opportunity to contribute to our mission.

Job Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) is guided by the policies and procedures of DAP Health and has the clinical responsibility for developing and maintaining a high standard of patient care. All components of nursing care will be individualized to meet the patient's physiological, psychosocial, and cultural developmental level and needs. They will consistently project a professional and courteous demeanor, help to establish and maintain the highest service standards for the practice and comply with DAP Health policies. The Registered Nurse (RN) utilizes the nursing process to assess and identify the individual needs of patients through observation of disease symptoms, emotional state, laboratory reports, cultural and socio-economic background, and response to medical regimen and treatment.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Functions as a member of the nursing team.
• Coordinates resolution of patient complaints/concerns, re-routing to Director of Nursing or other members of the organization as needed.
• Assists with review of in-baskets for laboratory results and medication refill requests, processing according to established protocol.
• Conducts nursing visits, which may include, but not limited to wound care, injections, STD testing and treatment, in-house lab tests as well as processing specimens for outside laboratories.
• Conducts brief, but sensitive problem-focused medical interviews including sexual history and questions regarding sexual orientation.
• Makes determinations as to patient care needs based on chief complaints, symptoms, medical history and/or test results.
• Make frequent rounds in all clinics to assess wait times, patient satisfaction, and address immediate clinic concerns.
• Records, monitors and coordinates client medication and drug treatment programs.
• Ensures that:
  • All required data collected for input is complete and represents an accurate accounting of services performed.
  • Medical standards and guidelines are implemented and maintained throughout the clinics.
  • HIV-positive patients are linked to care within 30 days or less and that rapid ART is implemented in a timely manner.
• Establishes effective relationships and serves as an advocate with the patient, family and significant other(s) to facilitate the development of the care plan unique to the patient's needs.
• Performs triage and clinical assessments for scheduled and unscheduled clients, including persons presenting with both symptomatic and asymptomatic STI; provides assessment and treatment following standardized nursing policies and procedures.
• Performs venipuncture and provides oversight of patients receiving IV therapy
• Assists with pre-visit planning for newly established patients as needed
• Works closely with the Case Management and Home Care staff to ensure continuity of care
• Works with the Chief Medical Officer and the Director of Community Health & Sexual Wellness as it relates to the delivery and coordination of care for persons seeking STI treatment and testing
• Maintains medical record documentation of all services rendered, including examination, treatment, and referrals
• Accesses patient-protected health information as needed
• Establishes, interprets, and disseminates department policies and protocols to ensure uniform delivery of services and promotes quality assurance.
• Establishes and or interprets standards of care for medical program nursing practice.
• Works with Clinical Coordinator to develop procedures in accordance with established standards and policies to the fulfillment of clinic goals.
• Assesses staffing utilization and needs, makes recommendations as necessary to provide adequate coverage for the provision of services to improve quality.
• Participates in the budgeting process.
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of clinic personnel.
• Develops and implements a program of staff development (orientation, in service training and continuing education) for nursing and related personnel.
• Does inventory of clinical supplies and places orders.
• Coordinates schedule of all nursing staff.
• Works in clinical area when needed.
• Supervises Autoclaving Procedure and quality logs.
• Supervises Lab procedures and quality logs.
• Case Manages Patients
• Coordinate patient flow.
• Responsible for continuing education, have current license and CPR card.
• Responsible for knowing RN scope of practice
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge and experience in the care and treatment of diseases associated with HIV/AIDS and sensitivity to issues and populations impacted by the disease
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS care and treatment and sensitivity to issues and populations impacted by the disease; HIV specialty, preferred
• Proficient in the utilization of the electronic medical record system as it applies to this position
• Ability to:
  • Exercise independent judgment and make effective plans
  • Communicate clearly and effectively
• Engagement in complete delivery of quality customer care in an effective and professional manner
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Education and Experience

• RN licensure in the State of California.
• Bachelor degree in Nursing, preferred
• Current BLS certification obtained through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Experience in laboratory reporting to include patient instruction, triage, patient assessment, and specimen requirements
• Experience working with LGBTQ community, homeless population, and persons with substance use or mental health issues
• Minimum of two years of experience in an outpatient clinic, physician's office, medical facility, public health department, or similar facility; supervisory experience, preferred

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• This position is on-site at a DAP Health clinic
• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• Operates in a clinical setting at times and requires frequent times of sitting, standing, repetitive motion and talking
• Involves contact with patients or patient specimens. Exposure to blood, body fluids, non-intact skin or tissue specimens required