JOB SUMMARY
This position is responsible for providing field based medical care to vulnerable populations served by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)’s Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR). Emphasis will be placed on provision of COVID-19 and other vaccines to populations that may not otherwise be reached, including those in active drug addiction or homeless. The Field Nurse will work in partnership with another clinician to offer mobile medical care in areas of Philadelphia hit hardest by poverty and drug use. The Field Nurse will report to the Harm Reduction Program Manager and work very closely with staff within the Health Department, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services, the Police Department, and health care providers associated with all major Philadelphia area hospital emergency departments.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Responsibilities/Duties
- Outreach to and engage organizations, facilities and programs serving individuals at high risk for Covid-19, HIV, HCV and other communicable diseases
- Provide safe and knowledgeable delivery of vaccinations; facilitate the scheduling of wellness/immunization clinics at these locations when feasible
- Assist with setup and break-down of wellness/immunization clinics and transport of vaccine(s) and sharps
- Assist with completion of immunization consent forms for participants
- Administer vaccines (per manufacturer instructions) proficiently and educate clients and caregivers about age specific immunizations, precautions/contraindications, and possible adverse reactions
- Transport vaccine(s) and maintain the cold chain process to promote desirable temperature conditions to maintain the shelf-life of the product
- Ensure appropriate documentation of all immunizations administered or disposed of
- Ensure proper biohazardous waste transport and disposal
- Maintain appropriate infection control standards and precautions
- Implement emergency management responses to i.e., adverse reactions, anaphylaxis administer epinephrine per physician order
- Provide episodic care as appropriate to the target populations with an emphasis on HIV and HCV prevention education (i.e. STI education, safer sex practices)
- Provide resources and facilitate connections to medical care and treatment for HIV, HCV and Substance Use Disorders
- Check supplies for nursing patient encounters and notify manager or supply ordering designee if additional stock needed
- Report incidents and/or injuries/needle sticks
- Develop/Co-develop vaccination and infectious disease education materials
. - Host trainings on infectious disease prevention and benefits of vaccination
- Implement proper utilization of PPE
Qualifications
Education
- Possession of Licensure as a Certified Registered Nurse as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Education at the time of application, appointment and during tenure of employment, in any area of specialization.
Skills/Experience
- One year of experience working as a Licensed Registered Nurse. Specialty training or experience in Infectious Diseases, Public Health and/or Preventive Medicine preferred. Experience with immunization highly desired.
- Knowledge of principles, practices, and current developments of general nursing
- Knowledge of principles and practices of preventive medicine
- Knowledge of harm reduction principles, practices, and strategies
- Skill in maintaining effective working relationship with City agencies, the healthcare community, and the public
- Comfort interacting with a variety of health care professionals, including attending meetings and providing trainings
- Collaborate closely with community organizations to develop culturally appropriate materials and strategies to raise awareness about the dangers of a variety of infectious diseases, vaccinations to address infectious diseases, and solution-based implementation.
- Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically, economically, culturally, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies, and organizations.
Work Environment:
• Standard office setting approximately 50% of time and field work 50% of time. 37.5 Hours per week
• Street outreach and collaborative events require staff to work in extreme weather conditions occasionally. Will be responsible for up to 4 tabling/collaborative events a year.
Position Type and Work Schedule:
Full time position, typical hours are 5 days a week with rotating weekends: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Flex office schedule options available with supervisor approval.
Travel:
The applicant must work from the Health Department offices and/or travel to various parts of the City for assignments, street outreach, and collaborative events.
Physical Demands:
This job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of less than 50 pounds.
Salary and Benefits:
Our employees are our most valuable resource, so we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which can include:
Salary: $75,000
- Medical with vision benefits
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Life, AD&D and long-term care insurance
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution
- Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday
- Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility and participation are handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy.
DISCLAIMER
The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to improve access to and quality of health and human services for underserved and vulnerable populations. Health equity is at the heart of all our work. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for the employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability , sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status. This commitment applies to all aspects of the health Federation of Philadelphia's employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.