LPN - Infectious Disease

Job Overview:

The LPN - Infectious Disease at a Recovery Network of Programs plays a key role in promoting the health and safety of individuals undergoing treatment for substance use disorder by identifying, preventing, and managing infectious diseases. This position requires expertise in both infectious disease management and addiction treatment, as the nurse collaborates closely with individuals receiving OUD and AUD treatment. This position will provide education, screening, and support for conditions like HIV, Hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and other bloodborne diseases in addition to providing support to RNP nursing departments.

HOURS

Part-time 24 hours, weekly.  Hours are flexible 

Key Responsibilities:

Infectious Disease Screening and Assessment:

• Conduct screenings for common infectious diseases, such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Perform health assessments to identify potential risks for infectious disease transmission.
• Administer diagnostic tests and interpret results with the assistance of the program’s medical providers for clients, including blood tests for infectious diseases and screening for tuberculosis. This position will assist with reviewing urine and oral swab lab results for all clients and report results to the client’s corresponding counselor.

Education and Counseling:

• Provide education to clients on the prevention and management of infectious diseases, Harm reduction including needle safety, sexual health, and general hygiene.
• Counsel clients on the importance of regular health screenings, follow-up care, and adherence to treatment protocols for any diagnosed conditions.
• Educate clients on safe medication administration techniques to reduce risk of infections.

Infectious Disease Management:

• Collaborate with the clinic’s medical care team to develop and implement treatment plans for clients diagnosed with infectious diseases.
• Monitor and manage clients with chronic infectious diseases like Hepatitis C, ensuring they receive the appropriate follow-up care, treatments, and referrals to specialists if needed.

Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Team:

• Collaborate closely with physicians, counselors, Ryan White and addiction specialists to provide integrated care for clients.
• Collaborate effectively with the relevant laboratory to ensure timely supply requests, follow up on lab results, and address any issues related to the laboratory's electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Coordinate care with local health departments and specialists for more complex cases.
• Function as a liaison between the clinic and external healthcare providers for infectious disease care and referrals
• Keep inventory of all medical supplies and ensure supplies and equipment are in proper, safe working conditions
• Assist with nursing roles and responsibilities as needed, such as providing support to dispensing, assisting with submission of medical orders.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and confidential medical records for clients, document screenings, test results, treatments, and follow-up care.
• Prepare reports and track data for clinic’s compliance with public health regulations.
• Stay informed about local and federal regulations related to infectious disease reporting and ensure programs adherence.

Infection Control:

• Oversee infection control measures within the clinic and all other RNP programs.
• Provide training to all RNP staff on the best practices for infection prevention and control. This position is responsible for researching current infectious disease practices and implementing these practices at all RNP programs.
• Ensure that the clinic follows OSHA and other relevant health standards.

Education:

• LPN with a valid state nursing license.
• Certification in Infectious Disease Nursing (if available) or willingness to obtain.Experience:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of nursing experience in infectious disease management, preferably in a methadone clinic, addiction treatment setting, or similar healthcare environment
• Experience with substance use disorder and addiction treatment protocols is highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of infectious disease prevention, transmission, and treatment.
• Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental care to individuals with substance use disorders.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to educate and counsel clients effectively
• Knowledge of current public health guidelines and infectious disease regulations.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems.

Work Environment:

• Fast-paced, supportive clinical setting within RNP substance use treatment programs
• Potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious diseases.
• Occasional on-call duties or flexible hours based on the program’s needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical requirements and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires the manual dexterity sufficient to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment. The position requires the physical ability to kneel, bend and perform light lifting. This person must have the ability to write and speak clearly using the English language to convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Generally, the working conditions are good with little or no exposure to extremes in health, safety hazards and/or hazardous materials. This person must have the ability to travel as required to work with staff.