The Registered Nurse provides direct medical care, medication management, and case management services to adults experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions. They work within a multi-disciplinary team to deliver crisis stabilization and opioid recovery support in a low-barrier clinical environment.
DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs, 19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder. Applicant Review Process: Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, our team reviews submissions on a weekly basis in the order received. If your qualifications and availability align with the needs of the program, we will reach out to schedule a phone screen. We appreciate your patience during this process.
CSC: The RN is a member of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for providing on-going case management services to homeless and formerly homeless, mentally ill adults. The Registered Nurse works primarily with clients in need of psychiatric and other medical attention. This position will share responsibility for coordinating the medication services for the team.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload. Comply with the agency’s clinical and general policies and procedures; maintain current and complete clinical records; participate in quality assurance review activity as requested. Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures. Other duties as assigned.
Registered Nurse, licensed in the State of Washington, in good standing. If licensed under the Nurse Licensure Compact Multistate License (NLC MSL), compliance with RCW 71.12.740 and NLC MSL Rule 402.2 is a condition of employment. Knowledge of psychiatric medications, side effects and methods of administration. Interest or experience in working with adults who are experiencing or who have experienced homelessness and are disabled by mental illness and/or co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Flexibility, willingness to adapt to changing circumstances, accept new responsibilities and work cooperatively with team members to accomplish goals of program. Able to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently and exercise professional judgment. Interest in or experience working with participants who are difficult to engage and refer to traditional programs. Experience or training in addiction medicine and harm reduction. Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds. Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior. Ability to relate to a wide range of people, demonstrate highly developed communication skills, and have a desire to serve people with Opioid Use Disorder. Familiarity with trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, and equity frameworks. Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients. Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Respect for participant rights and personal preferences in treatment are essential. Clear understanding and respect for the importance of maintaining participant confidentiality.
Bi-lingual in Spanish/English. Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business, which requires a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record. Experience in low-barrier buprenorphine programs or Federal Opioid Treatment Programs. Experience in an acute care setting (e.g., emergency department or overdose prevention center).
The physical demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, drive, walk, stand, communicate with other employees and clients, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems.
Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Considerable stress may occur.
Employee will be working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants.
The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification.
Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Washington are typically supported by steady demand from outpatient, community, and telehealth settings. These roles are competitive because employers often look for a current unrestricted clinical license, experience with evidence-based therapy, and the ability to work from a HIPAA-compliant home office. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly confirm fit, then verify your license status and prepare examples of your therapy approach before applying.