Registered Nurse; RN

The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) to provide low‑barrier, outreach‑based opioid use disorder treatment services as part of its ORCA program.

The RN provides and coordinates care for individuals seeking buprenorphine‑based opioid use disorder treatment in a low‑barrier setting. The RN works as part of an interdisciplinary team delivering services both inside the ORCA Center and in the field through the ORCA Patient Outreach Division (POD).

Full‑time – Monday to Friday, typically 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (30‑minute lunch). Some flexibility for outreach events and community partner collaboration is required.

Annual salary: $ – $.

• Dental, Life, Long‑term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan
• Union representation – SEIU Healthcare 1199NW

• Provide low‑barrier, outreach‑based OUD treatment and integrate care with a multidisciplinary team.
• Assess and monitor patients in induction, stabilization, and maintenance phases using patient‑centered, harm‑reduction and motivational interviewing approaches.
• Provide counseling, education, and goal setting with clients.
• Follow state and federal guidelines, program policies, and collaborate with prescribers and pharmacies.
• Screen, counsel, and coordinate care for HIV and Hepatitis
  
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• Use critical thinking, clinical judgment, and sound communication skills in frequent client contacts.
• Lead as part of an interdisciplinary team and coordinate mental status monitoring and side‑effect management.
• Facilitate linkage to urgent, primary and specialty health services and advocate for community resources.
• Collaborate with DESC services including housing teams and SUDPs.
• Consult with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Provide basic wound care and serve as an educational resource for staff.
• Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings, and in‑service training.
• Maintain complete clinical records, participate in quality assurance reviews, and adhere to clinical accountability policies.
• Engage in verbal de‑escalation, crisis intervention, and assist staff as needed to maintain safety.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Registered Nurse licensed in Washington or under the Nurse Licensure Compact with endorsement application within 60 days.
• Knowledge of psychiatric medications, side effects, and administration methods.
• Desire to serve people with complex needs, including homelessness, serious mental illness, and substance use disorders.
• Ability to work with clients displaying a wide range of challenging behaviors.
• Adaptable to changing priorities, processes, and workflows.
• Proficiency in giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Familiarity with trauma‑informed care, harm reduction, equity, and social justice principles.
• Cultural humility and effectiveness with diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness and ability to travel across the greater Seattle area.

• Bachelor of Nursing degree.
• Nursing certifications.
• Experience with co‑occurring mental health and substance use disorders, homelessness, crisis intervention and stabilization.
• Knowledge of Recovery Principles, Crisis Intervention, Integrated Treatment of Co‑occurring Disorders, Intensive Case Management, and evidence‑based best practices.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and insurable driving record.

Employee will sit for extended periods, communicate with others, lift and carry items up to 25 lb, and operate computer equipment. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth, and focus adjustment.

DESC is a committed diversity employer. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant 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 unless the qualification is essential.