The Registered Nurse - Medical Respite/Bridge will be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that will support the Respite and Bridge Programs. The Medical Respite program allows individuals who are experiencing homelessness a safe place to rest and recuperative from a medical condition. While participants focus on improving their health, they can also work on addressing other needs like housing and benefits. The Bridge Program provides comprehensive care to marginalized individuals with complex health needs. This innovative
care team works closely with community partners to improve access to care and address health disparities in our community. Care will be provided both in a clinic setting and in a mobile setting alongside our community partners. The RN practices professional nursing as defined by the Texas Board of Nursing, Texas Nurse Practice Act and by adhering to organizational policies, procedures, and guidelines. Our nurses are committed to providing a collaborative environment to provide the safest and highest quality of care for our patients. Our team of Registered Nurses model a commitment to the organization's vision/mission/values to support an unparalleled patient experience and positive clinical outcomes. This position aligns with Central Health's deep commitment to advancing health equity and improving health disparities in our community.

*** This is a hybrid position. To be considered for this role, candidates must live in the greater Austin/Travis County area. ***

Essential Functions:

• Provides nursing support for the service delivery of Respite, Bridge, and Mobile Healthcare Services.
• Collaborates with the patient’s care team including the primary care team, specialists, home care, hospital team, and any others involved with the patient’s care to optimize clinical outcomes.
• Oversees assigned team, including but not limited to, assisting with establishing work assignments and overseeing flow of unit along with identifying staffing needs.
• Assesses the physical, social, and emotional needs of patients and families in clinics.
• Serves as an advocate, providing direction and support to the patient and family. Educates patient and family members on diagnosis, treatments, procedures, and medications.
• Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate the continuity of care.
• Enhance the patient experience by supporting Provider teams with in-basket management, refilling medications, and triaging patients in a timely manner following established protocols.
• To ensure efficient patient flow and avoid delays in care, may support Provider teams by assisting with procedures, distributing medications and treatments, rooming, and dismissing patients consistent with the standardized workflows.
• Perform clinical duties as assigned and competency validated in accordance with Standing Delegation Orders including, but not limited to: administering medications, immunizations, setting up exam or procedure rooms, preparing patients for examinations and /or treatments, assisting provider with exams or procedures, cleaning and disinfection of equipment, exam rooms and storage, stocking exam rooms, perform quality control checks on equipment as per manufacturer guidelines.
• As required and competency validated, performs appropriate EKG, spirometry, point of care testing, specimen collection, staple and suture removal, wound care, toenail cutting, equipment cleaning/reprocessing and other requested procedures.
• Performs appointment registration duties including verifying and entering patient demographic and insurance information in the electronic medical system, collects co‐payments/deductibles, and completes closing, and/or end-of-day processes. May be required to operate a company vehicle to community-based locations for the provision of health care services.
• Attends and participates in weekly team care huddles/conferences.
• Enhance the patient experience by practicing AIDET during each patient interaction.
• Completes daily/weekly quality assurance checklists to include delegation of tasks as appropriate to staff (McKesson, CLIA, AED, equipment checks, etc.)
• Assists with oversight of health center equipment needs, infection control standards, and CLIA regulations, vaccine management, compliance with Standing Delegation Orders, and emergency protocols.
• Enhances the patient experience by addressing and resolving patient issues in a timely manner.
• Acts as a resource to Medical Assistants, and other clinical team members.
• May participate in the hiring process for new staff members by conducting interviews and making hiring recommendations to the clinical/non-clinical leader.
• Serve as a preceptor for new clinical team members and students.
• Assists with supply management by ensuring Provider teams maintain requisite supplies needed to deliver timely patient care, identify trends, and anticipate needed supplies.
• Assist in the development of departmental protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement projects in order to better serve the patient, family and healthcare system to improve the quality of service provided.
• Attend staff meetings and education offerings both in person and via teleconference/online as required.
• Supports organizational initiatives to promote and maintain a strong positive workplace culture.
• Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, and Central Health Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Procedures.
• Adheres to state board of nursing and state nurse practice act requirements and to other governing agency regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of issues faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and demonstrated sensitivity to underserved populations.
• Sound-critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• High level of skill at building relationships and providing excellent customer and patient care.
• High degree of knowledge and competency in the practice of nursing and documentation requirements.
• High level of problem-solving skills to better serve patients and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Strong commitment to quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Skill in fostering and maintaining positive relationship with community partners.
• Ability to function as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong application of Microsoft office and electronic health records.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing-Associate's Degree

Work Experience:

Two (2) years of nursing experience in a clinic, hospital or related setting

Licenses and Certifications:

Unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) License in the State of Texas

Basic Life Support - obtained through approved American Heart Association