Who We Are:
Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. Over 10,000 homeless individuals are cared for by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program each year. We are committed to ensuring that every one of these individuals has access to comprehensive health care, from preventative dental care to cancer treatment. Our clinicians, case managers, and behavioral health professionals work in more than 30 locations to serve some of our community’s most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.
From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity; centering dignity, compassion, mutual respect and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down barriers, including systemic racism which harms us all. We provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate, incorporating social determinants of health, with the goal of breaking down the physical and systemic barriers that our patients face.
Job Summary:
***NOW OFFERING A $4,000 SIGN ON BONUS***
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-5:30 pm - full-time or part-time schedule possible
Union: No
Union Name: Non-union
Patient Facing: Yes
We are seeking an HIV Nurse Case Manager who is interested in a unique opportunity to work on a dynamic, multidisciplinary HIV primary care team that has been nationally recognized as a model of excellence. Alongside medical providers, case managers, social workers, behavioral health team members and other HIV nurses, you will provide high quality nursing care to patients consistent with the philosophy of patient centeredness, non-judgement, harm reduction, and team-based care. You will serve in a key clinical role to the care team with primary responsibilities of HIV and other chronic disease management, care coordination, advice/triage needs for the team’s patients, and ensures excellent communication of the care plan across team members.
In this role, you will conduct clinical nursing assessments and triage for team patients during routine and urgent medical visits in the outpatient clinic, as well as during outreach visits to shelters, drop-in centers, street venues and patients’ homes. You will also provide care coordination, medication adherence support, health education, and behavioral risk reduction counseling for HIV primary care patients. This role offers a unique opportunity to promote harm reduction, linkage, and retention to HIV primary care, with the aim of supporting people experiencing homelessness and living with HIV to achieve and sustain health and wellness. This position is funded until the end of March 2028 with the possibility for renewal. If this funding is not renewed, this position will end March 31, 2028.
Responsibilities:
- Provides outpatient primary care nursing including medical assessments and triage services for HIV team patients coming in for same-day or scheduled visits; conducts virtual, telephonic, or in-person nurse assessment and triage to assess the severity of the patient’s health concerns using approved protocols and resources to advise appropriately. Documents patient information accurately and in a timely manner in the EHR.
- Implements the patient-centered plan of care, evaluates outcomes, and regularly communicates the plan of care, patient status, and progress toward goals with the patient and care team members; conducts comprehensive intake assessments for new HIV team patients.
- Administers vaccines, injectable medications, and provides wound assessment and wound care as indicated; provides medication adherence assessments and counseling. Provides directly observed therapy when indicated with support of outreach team members.
- Coordinates care with integrated HIV team behavioral health staff. Along with other team members, visits patients at shelters and other outreach sites to provide nursing care and care coordination services and identify barriers to medication adherence and engagement in care.
- Provides chronic disease management support for HIV as well as other common co-morbid medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Identifies any structural barriers patients face in accessing medical care and adhering to HIV medications, and works with the interdisciplinary team to address those barriers (e.g., housing, transportation, drug treatment, food, clothing, benefits, etc.)
- Assists medical providers in coordinating follow up related to the provision of medication (such as buprenorphine and naltrexone) for opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders. Coordinates preventative services for HIV team patients including, but not limited to, education, preventative medications, vaccinations, testing, and referrals.
- Promotes a compassionate and therapeutic environment that is responsive to the unique patient population and extends to members of the care team; demonstrates initiative and commitment to continuously improve services and processes that positively impact patient care and organizational goals. Participates in training and orientation of new nursing staff as directed by Supervisors.
- Exhibits a positive attitude with patients and establishes professional and respectful relationships with the internal and external healthcare team members, agencies, and healthcare facilities.
Qualifications:- Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred; 2 years of experience working in an ambulatory/outpatient care environment required. HIV primary care experience strongly preferred.
- Certification as AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) preferred; however, this can be obtained after being hired, and program funding available to support this training.
- Expertise in substance use disorder and harm reduction principles, strongly preferred.
- Experience working with people experiencing homelessness strongly preferred.
- Mental Health experience, including knowledge of trauma informed care, a plus.
- Experience working in a community health center setting, a plus.
Compensation and Benefits:- Compensation starting at $40.00 per hour and is commensurate with years of experience.
- BHCHP full time employees are eligible for our competitive time off policy of 4 weeks’ vacation, health, dental and vision insurance, 403B retirement savings plan and employer retirement contribution, and pre-tax MBTA pass program with 40% discount. In addition, eligible employees will receive yearly increases, additional compensation of up to seven thousand five hundred dollars added to your base hiring rate for demonstrated bilingual proficiency and the opportunity to work with local hospitals and community health centers.
Does this amazing opportunity interest you? Then we'd love to hear from you.
As an equal opportunity employer, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Covid-19 Vaccination: Proof of Covid-19 vaccination(s) is optional for employment. Candidates who are offered employment will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination if they choose to.
Please Note: Employment at Boston Health Care for the Homeless is at-will. Boston Health Care for the Homeless does not sponsor work authorization visas.
