Description

Compensation:

• Salaried, Exempt
• Eligible for Sign-On/Relocation Bonus (subject to payback clause)
• New hires can expect to be placed on our starting wage scale of $116,00 to $145,00 per year
• Based on performance, there is room to grow on our full wage scale of $116,000 to $174,000 per year

Work Schedule: M-F, occasional Saturdays; this role may be eligible for additional pay for working full time and/or working some Saturdays on a regular basis.

Who We Are

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center 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 almost 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.

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 will provide 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 new, unique facility will serve people in need of showers, laundry, medical and behavioral health care, case management, and other services provided by partner organizations including respite care. 

As the sole medical provider, you can expect to see patients on a walk-in basis for a limited scope of services such as wound care, infections, illness care, and point of care testing. While The Way Station will not serve as a primary care home it will provide a bridge and assist with connecting clients to one. We are looking for someone to provide whole-person, team-based care in an empathy-forward, trauma-informed manner that acknowledges the barriers and inequities experienced by our unhoused patients. 

This is a full-time position with hours split between The Way Station and our main clinic in Bellingham with the possibility of increasing or decreasing hours at each location based on patient needs. 

Learn more about The Way Station:

• https://unitycarenw.org/the-way-station/ 
• Restoring Dignity and Wellness: Coalition Breaks Ground on The Way Station To Offer Comprehensive Health and Hygiene Services to Homeless Communities - WhatcomTalk

What We Offer

• 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
• Support staff in the areas of nursing, behavioral health, medical records, EMR/IT, case management, referrals, insurance enrollment & an in-house pharmacy

Loan Repayment Application Opportunities 

Watch our video at UCNW Loan Repayment Program - YouTube to learn more about loan repayment opportunities at UCNW!

• 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))

Generous Benefits:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year
• Paid Time Off (160 hours first year, 208 hours second year & increasing again Years 5 & 10)
• 6 paid holidays
• Other paid leaves including: Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant
• Malpractice insurance with tail coverage through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Optional insurances including: Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Transportation Incentives
• Healthy Living reimbursements
• Medical Hardship payroll loans, Employee Referral Bonuses, Will preparation services & gym discounts
• Sabbatical Leave accrual
• Reimbursement of DEA, state license & board certification renewal fees
• Continuing Education (days & dollars)

Requirements

• Graduation from a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant program eligible for Washington State licensure
• Be in good standing with the board of licensing in the state(s) where licensed
• Certified in Family Practice through the AANP or ANCC for NPs or certified by the NCCPA for PAs

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 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

About Bellingham

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)

To Apply

If you’re passionate about everyone having the opportunity to live their healthiest life, please visit our Careers Page to apply 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!

Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires that all employees receive annual flu vaccines. UCNW also requires vaccination against COVID-19 as a vital public health measure that has truly been life-saving. We are proud of the leadership role we’ve played in protecting our community from this devastating virus.