Drop-in Center Staff Nurse (LPN)

Rest Here is a Drop-In Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is a low-barrier, participant-centered drop-in program that prioritizes dignity, connection, and care for people who use drugs and those at risk of overdose, while increasing access to health and social services.

Rest Here provides a low-threshold, trauma-informed hub offering critical overdose prevention services, including safer use supplies, overdose prevention resources, drug checking, wound care, mental health counseling, and pathways to substance use treatment for those who want it. The Center addresses basic needs—such as food (one hot meal/day), toilets, showers, storage, a clothing closet, laundry, computers, and phone charging—within a welcoming and dignified environment. A robust monthly schedule features a wide range of engaging sessions focused on education, skill building, health and wellness, overdose prevention, and peer-led social support.

The Rest Here Staff Nurse (LPN) position sits within the Community Outreach and Homeless Services Department at Liberation Programs, and works with the Center’s Program Manager, Program Supervisor, and Peers, and LPI’s Senior Director of Community Outreach and Homeless Services – while reporting directly to the APRN medical lead.

The Staff Nurse (LPN) is responsible for delivering clinical care to Center members, within LPN scope of practice and under the proximal supervision of APRN. This role will focus on wound care and Overdose Prevention and Risk Reduction First Aid but will also engage around other clinical needs. Additionally, this role will be responsible for referring Center members to outside emergency and healthcare services. An effective Staff Nurse (LPN) will be grounded in overdose prevention theory and practice and have a comprehensive working knowledge of Bridgeport and state-wide healthcare and behavioral health services.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts a daily “wound care clinic” for Center members.
• Performs basic wound care and overdose prevention and risk reduction “first aid.”
• Assists in overdose education and intervention, as needed.
• Educates Center members on medical issues and services.
• Refers Center members to emergency and healthcare services and ensures a warm hand off and detailed follow up.
• Maintains inventory of Center’s medical space, and re-orders supplies as needed.
• Ensure that documentation is accurate and timely.
• Upholds infection control practices for the Center.
• Maintains up to date [continuing education/licensure as required]

Skills / Experience Required

• Must have experience and be comfortable with an overdose prevention approach and be able to embrace “meeting people where they are” without judgement or expectation.
• Must be able to work effectively with populations that have experienced vulnerability, trauma, economic poverty, incarceration, substance use, developmental delays, compromised mental wellness, brain injuries, literacy and numeracy issues, and/or other conditions or situations that have impacted housing stability
• Must have excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to deliver services respectfully and ensure all participants are treated with respect and dignity and feel supported.
• Project a professional demeanor and exercise mature judgment
• Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate and complete multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and with a group, and maintain good working relationships with organizational staff and partners
• Must adhere to all professional standards and ethical practices, including creating and maintaining healthy boundaries and professional relationships with clients, co-workers, and others.

This position is part-time, 12 hours per week, Tues, Thurs, Sat 12-4pm (Flexible – Clinic Hours can be amended based on availability – however are required to be 3 4-hour time periods throughout the week)

Most employees of Liberation Programs are funded by a variety of grants, governmental programs, and endowment sources. Continued employment is contingent upon continued receipt of those funds.

What We Offer

• Competition Compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonuses
• 401K
• FSA
• HSA
• Employee Assistance Program