Harm Reduction Program Manager

Tapestry Health provides vital, effective, and inclusive community health services and resources for optimal well-being and vibrant communities.

We envision a world in which health and wellness is a human right, accessible to all, and free from social and structural inequities.

Job Purpose

Participate as a member of the Tapestry Health Harm Reduction team in the health management and treatment of individuals seeking medical services with Tapestry Health. Provide confidential, non-judgmental medical services, counseling, and education to participants concerning their health concerns related to drug use and other health needs. This position also oversees the vaccination and follow-up process for all HR locations.

To succeed in this role, the nurse must be a flexible, compassionate, and self-motivated individual who embraces the mission of Tapestry Health. They must be committed to delivering low-threshold, high-quality care in various non-traditional locations, to a vulnerable population of individuals who use drugs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Nursing and Medical Follow-Up Duties

• Deliver nursing triage for low-barrier medical services.
•  Engage patients who use drugs using harm reduction principles and trauma-informed care.
• Provide outreach-based care management and non-judgmental clinical support.
• Provide assessment, education and referrals for conditions common among people who use drugs.
• Provide wound care assessment and treatment within scope of practice.
• Provide healthcare screenings for chronic health conditions including high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Provide immunizations according to Tapestry Health protocols.
• Collaborate closely with treating clinicians to identify patients in need of care and develop plans to provide it and follow up care.
• Perform lab tests and venipuncture as needed within the scope of practice.
• Link Harm Reduction participants to the Tapestry Health Medical Clinics for needed care that falls within Tapestry’s scope of services.
• Make appropriate referrals to other health care providers for services beyond the scope of Tapestry Health.
• Document all information in electronic medical record and on logs per protocol.
• Assist in training and orientation of staff, interns and/or volunteers.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Vaccine Coordinator Responsibilities

• Training new clinicians to administer vaccines per SOP. 
• Train staff on all aspects of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and ensure HR managers and staff are following SOP for Vaccine Management.
• Ensure compliance of SOP by all staff.
• Create and update vaccine SOPs as needed.  
• Ensure client visits are complete, accurate, locked, and information is transferred in ECW to MIIS appropriately. This includes recording billable vaccines appropriately in eCW.
• Submit billable vaccine report to the billing coordinator within 24 hours of vaccines of being administered. 
• Train HR managers and staff so that they can respond to vaccine emergencies as needed. 
• In coordination with the operations manager, file incident reports promptly, including calling MIIS, Vaccine manufacturers, and patients, when necessary, when there are any vaccine issues, including temperature excursions.
• Coordinate the delivery/pickup of vaccines to various harm reduction sites.  
• Ensure all HR sites' temperature logs are managed and uploaded monthly. 
• Schedule vaccination sessions as needed, including off-site/Mobile van vaccination clinics.
• Order and maintain inventory of vaccines at all HR sites and load inventory into eCW.
• Participate in audits and site visits as requested by various State Departments. 
• Assist HR Contact the Vaccine Management Unit @ (617) 983-6828 to update any changes regarding shipping information or to change the days/hours office staff will be available to receive shipments or any other vaccine issues.

Supervisory Duties

• Ensure that all harm reduction-related clinical staff are up to date with current medical and harm reduction-related policies and procedures.
• Provide TA and support to harm reduction nursing and other clinical staff as needed.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist the Mobile Health management team with special projects and the development and implementation of new policies and procedures as needed.
• Comply with all Tapestry Health policies and procedures, including strict confidentiality protocols.
• Actively participate in agency meetings, work groups, trainings, and initiatives as required.
• Attend local and statewide meetings as required and represent Tapestry Health professionally.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice nursing as a Registered Nurse by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
• Commitment to providing a harm reduction-based model of clinical care.
• Strong working knowledge of substance use disorder and behavioral health.
• Commitment to working with underserved populations.
• Willingness to practice in non-traditional settings, including during street outreach and on a mobile van.
• Strong interpersonal skills required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Commitment to Tapestry Health's mission and values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Computer skills, experience with an EMR preferred.
• At least one year of clinical experience in addiction medicine preferred.
•  Experience in a primary care setting and/or sexual and reproductive healthcare preferred.

Working Conditions

• Evenings and weekend availability required.
• Position schedule dependent on needs of participants and programs.
• Ability to manage stressful and time-sensitive situations professionally.
• Occasional occurrences of dealing professionally with challenging participants is required.
• Job also may include a significant portion of the day outside of the van in various weather conditions.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to drive a medical care van.
• Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods.
• Ability to enter data into a computer with repetitive hand and wrist motions.
• Ability to communicate via phone, email, and video conferencing.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds (e.g., office supplies, small packages).
• Ability to move within an office environment, including walking to meetings, retrieving documents, and accessing office equipment.
• Ability to maintain focus and perform work in a standard office setting with typical noise levels.