Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to Serve Unhoused Patients
Unity Care NW·Bellingham, Washington
Unity Care NW·Bellingham, Washington
Serve as the sole medical provider for unhoused patients at The Way Station, providing walk-in services such as wound care and infection treatment. Act as a bridge to primary care by connecting clients to long-term providers and coordinating with a Medical Assistant.
Salary, exempt The standard wage range for this role is $127,754-$159,702 per year It may be possible to earn more over time up to $191,630 per year Eligible for Sign-On/Relocation Bonus (subject to payback clause) Incentive pay for working full time
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday Full-time working 5 days per week
Job Summary Make a difference by serving our unhoused neighbors as the medical provider for The Way Station in downtown Bellingham, WA!
Individuals experiencing homelessness are more likely to become ill, have greater hospitalization rates, and die at a younger age than the general population. The Way Station provides individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a range of health and social services to assist in improving their health outcomes and aiding their transition to sustainable housing. This unique facility serves people in need of showers, laundry, restrooms, medical and behavioral health care, case management, and other services provided by partner organizations including respite care.
As the sole medical provider, this role works with a Medical Assistant seeing patients on a walk-in basis for a limited scope of services including wound care, treating infections & illnesses, and performing point of care testing. While The Way Station does not serve as a primary care home, it provides a bridge to primary care and assists with connecting clients to a Primary Care Provider. The ideal candidate will have experience providing whole-person, team-based care in an empathy-forward, trauma-informed manner that acknowledges the barriers and inequities experienced by our unhoused patients.
Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing over 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.
What We Value Respect Integrity Accountability Collaboration Innovation We have an inclusive culture and strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a diverse workforce of the very best talent, whose ambitions and values align with ours.
A friendly and collaborative team environment A competitive compensation package A unique call schedule providing phone consultation to 3rd parties only-–no patient call A robust orientation followed by a gradual ramp-up period EMR & IT support Ambient AI Scribe (DAX) and Dragon for charting Access to MAVEN Project to connect with specialists whom you may otherwise not have access; Resources for patients such as integrated behavioral health, psychiatry, SUD treatment, child & family counseling, adult & pediatric dental services, an on-site pharmacy, a communicable disease program, case managers, community health workers, referrals specialists, insurance enrollment, medical records & more
Loan Repayment Application Opportunities Employment at UCNW counts towards eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness – details can be viewed at Federal Student Aid. Eligible providers may apply for loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC Loan Repayment Program | NHSC (hrsa.gov)), Washington Student Achievement Council (Washington Health Corps | WSAC) &/or Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (Apply to the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program | Bureau of Health Workforce (hrsa.gov)) While employes at UCNW are eligible to apply for these loan repayment awards, receipt is not guaranteed.
Completion of an accredited Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program. Currently certified in Family Practice through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Licensed as a registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner or as a physician assistant in the state of Washington and in good standing with the medical board (or eligible to obtain licensure) Active drug enforcement administration (DEA) registration with no restrictions (or eligible to obtain registration) Current basic life support (BLS) certification (we can provide upon hire
Family Practice experience in an outpatient, urgent care, walk-in &/or emergency department setting Experience in a community health center or similar organization providing care to unhoused and underserved populations Experience working as an independent practitioner with patients who have complex co-morbidities including hypertension, diabetes, mental illness, chronic pain, and substance use disorder Experience with children and women's health Experience working with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and socio-economic levels, treating them with sensitivity and respect Proficient with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Proficient with Microsoft Outlook & Word, HR/Payroll/Timesheet systems & learning management systems Candidates who meet the requirements who have applicable experience or similar qualifications are encouraged to apply!
Live in a community consistently rated as one of the most desirable in the USA! Nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Bellingham is home to over 90,000 people and surrounded by several charming small towns. Enjoy all the area has to offer: Recreational & Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Biking, Skiing, Snow Boarding, Fishing, Sailing, Kayaking, & Camping) Excellent Schools (University, Community College, Technical School, & Outstanding K-12 Educational System) Small Town or City Living (Unique Shops, Local Festivals, Farmers Markets, Berry Picking, & Community Events) Cultural Activities (Theater, Music, Independent Films, Museums, Art Studios, & Diverse Local Restaurants)
Visit our Careers Page at www.unitycarenw.org or contact Vicki Curtis, Provider Recruiter, at hr@ucnw.org or 360-788-2661. For news on our organization & future job postings, please follow us on LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/363mfhv!
If you feel this job posting is missing any required compensation or benefit information, please contact HR@ucnw.org. Other questions can be addressed throughout the recruitment process for candidates selected to move forward.
Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires all new employees to have up to date vaccines for influenza and strongly encourages up to date vaccines for COVID-19. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.
Market context
In Washington, advanced-practice openings for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are often competitive because employers look for state licensure, current BLS and ACLS, EPIC proficiency, and recent clinical case documentation. These roles can move quickly when a candidate matches the required scope and charting expectations. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time versus reading the full posting, then prepare your 24-month case logs before applying.
