Relief Nurse, FOH, Northampton

CSO is looking for Relief Nurses for our Friends of the Homeless Shelters and FOH Medical Respite Programs.

Do you have interest in working as part of a comprehensive and dynamic team including nurses, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, and case managers? Do you want to provide meaningful and trauma-informed care to people experiencing homelessness? Do you want to help develop a new and growing field of nursing?

The ideal nurse candidate for these roles is someone who has experience with complex medical needs, managing emergency situations, and who is flexible and confident. CSO nurses in shelter locations routinely respond to urgent and emergent situations on site, including overdoses, head injuries, and seizures. Shelter nurses also routinely manage non-emergent things such as withdrawal symptoms, wound care, and assisting guests with medication in addition to coordinating care with PCPs, Emergency Department providers, and post-surgical care.

CSO is a trauma informed organization and we understand that trauma has a complex impact on people, especially those experiencing homelessness. As part of the team, the intention is to build trust and connection with guests of shelter and intervene as needed with evidence-based and trauma-informed care to improve health and well-being as we support them in transitioning to housing.

The FOH Nurse Manager is expected to:

• Be fully integrated into CSO shelters and focus on the needs of those who are unhoused or who are in transition to more permanent housing.
• Use patient-centered strategies and shared clinical decision making to best support our guests' medical needs. 
• Use a Harm Reduction approach to medical, behavioral health, and social concerns to best need guests' stated needs.
• To be knowledgeable about drug use, addiction, and multiple pathways to recovery. This is a vital component of nursing work in shelter-based settings.
• Complete health assessments of guests and tenants as appropriate and document in CSO's Electronic Health Record. This includes vital signs, physical assessment, and other relevant point of care data such as blood glucose levels.
• Identify guests who would benefit from enhanced nursing and other team member support for coordination based on risk and guest's preferences for this level of support.
• Support shelter and Medical Respite teams by screening patient referrals from the hospital for appropriateness based on their medical needs.
• Review discharge paperwork and documentation of visits with PCP and specialists. Capture problems list, labs, plans and document in the EHR.
• Provide training for nurse colleagues, relief nurses, direct care staff, and nurse interns as necessary.
• Provide health education to guests and tenants.
• Monitor the health and safety of guests and tenants when needed, including documentation, and provide closer observation as needed.
• Provide supportive counseling and safety strategies to mitigate risks for guests and tenants.
• Act as a resource and knowledge base for the rest of the care team.

Your Background:

• Must be Licensed in MA as a Registered Nurse
• Experience with complex medical needs. Strong medical-surgical or ER experience is preferred.
• Experience treating individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders is preferred.
• Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation.

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

We can accommodate flexible scheduling needs, including partial shifts.

We seek applicants who embody CSO's values by being:

• Positive -- maintaining resiliency and focusing on solutions.
• Respectful -- collaborating and effectively communicating.
• Insightful -- demonstrating self-awareness and effectively priority setting.
• Conscientious -- taking accountability and applying feedback.
• Independent – taking initiative on issues and being solutions focused.

Our Agency:

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a dynamic behavioral health organization serving Western Massachusetts for over 50 years. With offices across Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, and beyond, we're dedicated to providing comprehensive support to individuals and families. Join our team of over 650 multi-disciplinary staff and become part of a collaborative environment where excellence is fostered internally and partnerships are forged externally with community organizations. At CSO, you'll find a flexible and supportive work environment that encourages collaboration and growth. Join us and make a positive impact on thousands of lives in our communities!

CSO was voted a "Healthcare Industry Top Workplace" in 2023. We are the fastest-growing Behavioral Health agency in Western Massachusetts. CSO has consistently received high marks on their internal employee satisfaction survey, noting that over 90% of CSO staff would recommend CSO as a great place to work. We encourage you to check us out!

CSO offers Training in: Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Mindfulness Skills and more. 

EOE/AA