Registered Nurse

CHI-CARE; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Mission-driven environment

Supportive, collaborative team

Job summary

CHI-CARE is a nonprofit mobile medical clinic delivering frontline clinical care, vaccinations, and harm reduction education directly in Chicago. The Nurse (RN) will support outreach in mobile vans, shelters, and community events, collaborating with clinicians and outreach staff in diverse environments.

The role emphasizes acute urgent care, infectious disease screening, vaccinations, and linkage to social services, while upholding dignity and equity in care for those experiencing homelessness

Qualifications

• BLS/ACLS certification is required.
• Comfort with harm reduction and street-based medical care.
• Strong interpersonal, teaching, and teamwork abilities.
• Empathy aligned with Chi-Care's mission to meet people with dignity.
• Ability to respond quickly in emergencies; street smarts.
• Experience counseling patients/clients; able to travel to outreach sites.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate patient triage, intake, and history collection.
• Document vital signs and perform basic physical assessments.
• Provide care with clinical teams during street medicine outreach and on mobile van.
• Administer vaccinations and assist with medication reconstitution as needed.
• Maintain accurate EHR documentation and ensure confidentiality.

Skills

BLS/ACLS certification

Harm reduction

Interpersonal skills

Teaching

Teamwork

Counseling patients

Emergency readiness / street smarts

Willing to travel

Spanish language skills (preferred)

Job description

Location: Mobile outreach throughout Chicago, IL

Schedule: 3-5-hour shifts, 1-2 times per week

Compensation: $40/hour

About Us

We are a nonprofit mobile medical clinic dedicated to bringing compassionate, accessible care directly to individuals experiencing homelessness and/or without access to adequate health care. Our team primarily provides acute urgent care, vaccinations, harm reduction education, and connections to social services directly where they are needed most. We believe in meeting people with dignity, respect, and trust.

Position Overview

The Nurse (RN) plays a vital role in delivering frontline clinical care during mobile outreach shifts. This position focuses on acute urgent care, infectious disease screening, vaccinations, and harm reduction education, while also serving as a trusted bridge to medical and social services. The Nurse works closely with clinical providers, clinical team members, Peacekeepers, and outreach staff to ensure safe, high-quality, and compassionate care in the community. While working within the Harm Reduction Paradigm, the Nurse will support Chi-Care Med's mission of providing equitable, person-centered healthcare to those experiencing homelessness or barriers to access by offering medical treatment, education, and linkage to ongoing care. They will provide care in multiple outreach settings including mobile medical van, street medicine sites, shelters, and community events.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate patient triage, including intake, registration, record creation, and history collection
• Obtain and document vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, etc.)
• Conduct basic physical assessments and provide appropriate counseling for acute and chronic conditions
• Support Clinical Providers in delivering direct care during street medicine outreach and on mobile medical van
• Administer vaccinations, reconstitute medications, and dispense as needed
• Assist in conducting infectious disease POC screening within scope of license
• Manage storage and inventory of supplies
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation into electronic health records (EHR) or internal databases in accordance with confidentiality and compliance standards
• Assist with documentation of health-related activities and other services provided, as required by funding or accrediting sources
• Identify patient social needs and assist with connections to higher-level care or partner organizations
• Collaborate with Peacekeepers to maintain a safe and welcoming environment
• Assist with program set-up and break-down during outreach days
• Provide teaching and guidance to students, volunteers, or new staff
• Participate in team meetings, internal trainings, and partner collaborations as required
• Be flexible and ready to step in wherever needed to support smooth program operations
• Contribute to quality improvement and safety efforts

Qualifications

• BLS/ACLS certification (required)
• Knowledge of, or strong interest in, harm reduction and street-based medical care
• Strong interpersonal, teaching, and teamwork skills
• Empathetic and aligned with Chi-Care's mission of meeting people with dignity
• Ability to react quickly in emergencies; demonstrated street smarts
• Demonstrated experience in counseling patients/clients
• Willing to travel and provide services in various outreach settings, including shelters or community partner sites
• Preferred experience: wound care, community health, public health, ER, or addiction medicine
• Preferred training: motivational interviewing and de-escalation techniques
• Spanish language skills preferred, but not necessary
• Physical Demands and Work environment: Physically able to work in mobile and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions. This position requires riding the mobile medical van and providing care on the street. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and stand for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may vary at the different locations required in this job.

What We Offer

• $40/hour compensation
• Flexible scheduling: 3-5 hour shifts, 1-2 times per week
• The opportunity to practice meaningful nursing in a mission-driven environment
• A supportive, collaborative team committed to equity and compassion in healthcare