Position Overview:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) to provide full-spectrum care for individuals experiencing homelessness. This unique role combines direct patient care at a homeless shelter one day per week with a liaison function between hospitals and shelters for the remaining time. The goal is to reduce disease burden, prevent avoidable hospitalizations, improve patient outcomes, and minimize emergency room (ER) bounce-back visits.
Reports to: Agency Medical Director
Essential Functions:
Hospital-Shelter Liaison
Serve as the key communication link between hospitals, emergency departments, and homeless shelters to ensure seamless transitions of care.
Assist in discharge planning to reduce hospital readmissions and ER recidivism, including going onsite to hospitals as needed.
Coordinate follow-up care, social services, and medication access for patients post-hospitalization.
Educate shelter staff on managing common medical conditions and recognizing signs of health deterioration.
Advocate for patients by addressing barriers to care, including transportation, insurance, and social determinants of health.
Run reports as needed from agency databases for grant reporting purposes.
Render to patients medical services normally expected of a family practitioner in office practice: Examine, diagnose and treat medical illnesses, evaluate health status, initiate therapeutic and preventive measures, and make appropriate and necessary referrals to specialty and other consultative medical services. Those medical illnesses which are treated include the entire spectrum of family medicine.
Carry a patient caseload consistent with quality of care and productivity standards.
Communicate on an ongoing basis with other health care providers and other staff on all aspects of the health needs of patients.
Complete all necessary paperwork connected with duties, including progress notes in the medical records, completion of all forms required by the data collection system of medical center and all outside reimbursement and regulatory agencies and organizations.
Attend medical staff meetings and conferences as required.
Maintain professional competence through participation in outside conferences, and other continuing medical education activities.
Participate in teaching BRC staff by imparting understanding of the rationale and methods of diagnostic and therapeutic activities on the job on an on-going basis, and when requested, in a more formal manner.
Under appropriate circumstances, and with the approval of the Medical Director, admit patients to hospital and perform the normal duties of an attending physician in the management of patient care.
Participate in after-hours telephone triage one week a month.
Assist in peer review chart audits and other appropriate quality activities.
Supervise the patient care activities of BRC staff assigned to work with him/her in patient care.
Provide care to patients with acute or subacute medical problems. This responsibility includes the recognition of acute symptoms, management of emergencies, detection of abnormal findings on physical assessments, reporting of findings, and clinical decision making. In collaboration with supervising physician, provide routine treatment based on policies, protocols, and practice agreements appropriate for licensure for treatment of acute medical problems. Provide appropriate information to patient.
Provide care to patients with chronic disorders. Initiate requests for indicated diagnostic tests, begin appropriate pharmacological therapy, make adjustments in prescribed medication as needed, monitor compliance with treatment plans, and ensure continuity of care. Provide direct nursing treatments, administration of medications, and other nursing services as needed.
Develop and implement a plan of care for each patient, including additional diagnostic studies; treatments, including prescribing medications within protocols under physician's supervision; referral to other health care providers and for social services; teaching, counseling, and assisting patients and other involved persons to assume responsibility for self-care, prevention of illness, and promotion of health; document and complete all patient encounters and follow-up in a timely manner in accordance with agency and regulatory policy; follow-up to assure continuity of care.
Participate in on-going session with supervising physician regarding medical care responsibilities.
Assist in developing procedures and protocols for patient care.
Work at other clinical primary care areas, as assigned by supervisor.
Participate in peer review sessions and other Quality Improvement activities.
Maintain and increase clinical skills by participating in professional training.
Collect and report statistical data on services provided to patients.
Immediately report any problems and/or unusual occurrences to supervisor.
Attend all meetings and/or training sessions as required.
Practice accepted infection control measures in accordance with the OSHA Bloodborne pathogens standards and Center policies and procedures.
Other duties and/or projects as assigned
Minimum Experience and Skills Required:
1-2 years of experience in Ambulatory Care Setting and Community Health Care.
Education, Licenses and/or Certifications Required:
Competencies Required:
Customer Service:
Professional, courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with patients.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served (if applicable).
Commits to exceeding expectations of the patient.
Cooperation/Teamwork
Working Conditions:
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, talk and hear.The employee is occasionally required to move about the office; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate office equipment.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work is primarily in a mental health clinic and/or general primary care setting which includes the unpredictability in behaviors of individuals and acute and chronic infectious diseases which may be contagious. Adequate preparation and precaution is necessary.
Hours:
Full-time; 37.5 Hours per week
- Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm
- One week of night time call from home per month
- One day a week at Inwood Residence (to be determined)
MAKE AN IMPACT
Are you looking to make a positive impact on the lives of those in your community? At BRC, our staff help New Yorkers experiencing homelessness reclaim their lives by providing a hand up, offering opportunities for health and self-sufficiency, and restoring hope and dignity.
Each and every BRC staff member makes heroic contributions to our city, providing vital services in times of crisis and need. Through our commitment to employee wellbeing and development, BRC provides a workplace where staff can achieve their goals, make a difference with our clients, and grow personally and professionally.
Today, we have over 1000 full-time, part-time, and per-diem positions located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. Come and learn why 95% of BRC employees report that they would recommend BRC as a good place to work, and join us in building a more caring and compassionate city.
BENEFITS
BRC takes the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees seriously. Employees are eligible for health insurance and paid sick time benefits immediately upon starting work. In addition, full time employees receive a generous benefits package, including:
- Competitive health and dental plans, with coverage is available for your spouse, domestic partner, and dependents.
- A minimum of 3 weeks paid vacation, 12 paid holidays, and additional paid sick and personal time. A 403(b) pension plan with a matching benefit paid by BRC.
- Tuition assistance and many training opportunities for career development.
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are available so employees can set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare, transit and childcare.
Disclaimer:
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This position may be required to perform other duties. If such work becomes a permanent and regular part of the job, a new description will be prepared.