The salary range is based on several factors, including, but not limited to, overall experience, relevant experience, education level, certifications, applicable skills, and expertise.
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About Urban Pathways
Since 1975, Urban Pathways has engaged New York City’s most vulnerable residents, people on the streets or in areas unfit for human habitation, “lighting the path home, one person at a time.” Urban Pathways is a catalyst for transformative change in the lives of unhoused adults, empowering them to discover their inherent strengths and abilities. We provide essential support and foster an environment where individuals can redefine their narratives and become their best selves.
Summary
The Clinical Rapid Response Nurse (CRRN) is a key member of the Crisis Response Team, responsible for providing immediate, comprehensive, and ongoing medical and behavioral health support to our high acuity clients, characterized as having chronic medical conditions, severe substance use disorder, high impairment, and severe mental health conditions. The CRRN will triage and intervene based on a tiered risk system (High, Moderate, Low) and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to prevent hospitalizations, enhance medical and psychiatric stability, and improve quality of life for individuals at Urban Pathways.
The RN will be reporting to the Program Coordinator while receiving clinical supervision from our agency’s Medical Director.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Clinical Rapid Response & Triage:
- Conduct proactive and emergency assessments for high acuity clients
- Utilize the risk tier system to prioritize care interventions:
- High-Risk: Requires twice a week monitoring and immediate interventions.
- Moderate-Risk: Requires weekly follow-ups and early intervention strategies.
- Low-Risk: Requires regular follow ups, preventive care, and maintenance.
- Enhance program team’s collaboration with emergency services, hospital systems, and psychiatric crisis teams to ensure continuity of care.
- Assist program staff in Initiating and coordinating preventive interventions to reduce ER visits and hospitalizations.
2. Medical & Psychiatric Care Coordination:
- Help program staff monitor and manage chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, COPD, cardiovascular diseases).
- Assist program staff in assessing and supporting substance use treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and harm reduction strategies.
- Assist program staff with medication reconciliation and adherence, ensuring proper psychiatric and medical treatment adherence.
- Assist the Total Wellness with providing health education to residents and staff on chronic disease management, medication safety, and harm reduction.
3. Crisis Intervention & Behavioral Health Support:
- Implement interventions designed to prevent behavioral and psychiatric crises
- Assist, when applicable, with de-escalating behavioral and psychiatric crises using trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches.
- Enhance program team’s efforts in collaborating with psychiatric providers and social workers to ensure appropriate interventions for our high acuity clients
- Assist program staff in conducting suicide risk assessments and engage in safety planning as needed.
- Support detoxification and withdrawal monitoring, referring to higher levels of care when required.
4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Documentation:
- Work closely with social workers, case managers, peer specialists, and housing staff to ensure coordinated care.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and detailed clinical documentation in compliance with regulatory and Urban Pathways’ Clinical Response Rapid Team Standards. This includes use of our electronic health record and documentation being completed with 48 hours. (Same-day entries required in cases involving tier 1 high acuity clients). Documentation also consists of conducting screening and assessment tools.
- Participate in team case conferences to help develop and refine individualized care plans.
- Enhance program staff liaison between external healthcare providers and Urban Pathways staff to ensure seamless transitions of care and continuity of care for high acuity clients across programs.
5. Training & Staff Support:
- Provide training and education to Urban Pathways staff on medical, psychiatric, and substance use issues, including risk identification, emergency response protocols, and health management.
- Mentor and support junior nursing and medical staff and other clinical team members, fostering a collaborative and trauma-informed care environment.
- Act as a resource for other team members by offering guidance on complex cases involving high-acuity clients with multifaceted needs.
6. Communication
- Communicates verbally and in writing in a professional manner.
- Facilitates and participates in meetings to report on a person’s progress, share educational resources and discuss a person’s care and goals.
- Attends all staff meetings, trainings, and supervisory sessions, as required.
- Responds to all communications including telephone, email, and other oral and written inquiries in a timely manner.
Perform all other duties as assigned and required.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing required.
- Registered Nurse (RN) with a valid and current New York State RN license.
- Minimum of 3 years of medical/ nursing experience, with at least 1 year of experience working with high-acuity populations including people with severe medical conditions, substance use disorders, and severe mental health conditions.
- Experience with individuals who have experienced homelessness, serious mental illness and substance use and chronic medical conditions.
- Experience in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and integrated care models is highly preferred.
- Certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS).
- Experience with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), harm reduction strategies, and managing complex psychiatric and medical conditions.
Skills
- Strong clinical assessment and triage skills, with the ability to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations.
- Knowledge and deep understanding of substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and chronic medical conditions.
- Ability to implement evidence-based interventions for residents with complex needs.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
- Strong computer skills and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. ).
- Knowledge of AWARDS (our electronic health records.)
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of care.
- Cultural competency and the ability to work with a diverse population of residents, including those from marginalized communities.
- Foreign languages a plus
Licenses
- Valid NYS Licensed Registered Nurse required.
- Valid driver’s license with clean driving a plus.
Other
- Required to work a flexible schedule including evenings.
Physical Requirements
- All programs require field work, client escorts and use of public transportation.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, push, pull, lift (up to 25 lbs.), type, write, read, speak, see, and hear.
Urban Pathways offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees.
These benefits include:
- Healthcare Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to keep you and your family in good health.
- Retirement Savings: A 403(b) plan and a 401(a) with employer annual contribution to help you plan for a secure financial future.
- Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days.
- Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development to enhance your skills and advance your career.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Work-life balance is important to us, and we offer flexible work arrangements to accommodate your needs.
- Wellness Programs: Employee wellness programs, including fitness initiatives and mental health support.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal or work-related issues.
- Employee Recognition: Recognition programs to celebrate and reward outstanding contributions.