Physician Specialist- Crocker

Location: Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Job Type: Full-Time / Part-Time

Job Summary:

We are seeking dedicated primary care/addiction medicine physicians to join a multidisciplinary, inter-agency team at two multi-service Harm Reduction Health Hubs in Skid Row, Los Angeles. These hubs are designed to provide holistic care for people experiencing street homelessness and who use drugs.

The physician will be primarily responsible for direct patient care but will also have the opportunity to take on a leadership role in implementing clinical programs aimed at reducing overdose and other drug-related harms, sexually transmitted and other communicable diseases, harms related to interpersonal violence, mental health crises, self-harm, and accidental injury.

The physician will provide transitional primary care, urgent care, and substance use disorder-related care in a low-barrier, open-access outpatient clinic and a ~20-bed short-term community respite space. On-site clinical and social services are rooted in the ethos of harm reduction and trauma-informed care.

Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to providing non-judgmental, patient-centered care to marginalized communities and individuals with complex medical and psychosocial histories, including people experiencing homelessness, those who use drugs, engage in sex work, and/or have been incarcerated.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct comprehensive health evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment for patients experiencing homelessness with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

Provide patient care at various locations on campus (exam rooms, community respite, drop-in spaces, outdoor areas, etc.) and perform episodic street-based care.

Manage acute and chronic illnesses common in our patient population, including heart failure, other cardiovascular conditions, hepatitis C, HIV, STIs, and complex chronic wounds.

Manage acute intoxication (alcohol, opioids, stimulants), non-life-threatening withdrawal syndromes, post-overdose care, and short-term recuperation following discharge from the ED or hospital (during 12-72 hour respite stays).

Initiate and manage medications for the treatment of substance use disorders, with emphasis on sublingual and long-acting injectable buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.

Collaborate with nurses, behavioral health specialists, case managers, social workers, and staff from other on-site partner organizations to provide integrated care.

Counsel patients on harm reduction strategies, including overdose prevention, safer drug use practices, drug testing, and naloxone distribution.

Ensure compliance with clinical protocols, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.

Maintain accurate and timely electronic health record (EHR) documentation.

Provide direct supervision and consultation to mid-level (NP/PA) providers per organizational protocols, including monthly review and sign-off of a select number of charts.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Current and unrestricted California Physician & Surgeon License

Current and unrestricted California DEA registration.

Current BLS Certification from American Heart Association or American Red Cross

MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.

Current and unrestricted NPI enrollment.

Strong understanding of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and community public health.

Experience treating and managing medications for opioid, alcohol, and stimulant use disorders.

Comfort in caring for people with severe, complex medical and psychiatric comorbidities.

Willingness to work in non-traditional settings, including comfort with episodic street outreach.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Commitment to serving vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) certification

Experience in homeless healthcare or street-based medicine.

Experience with medical respite or recuperative care.

*All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Note: If you become a JWCH provider, you may be able to participate in Loan Repayment Program. A majority of our clinics are NHSC approved sites. The National Health Service Corp may be accepting applications Loan Repayment Program awards. The program is open to licensed primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavior health providers who are employed or have accepted an offer of employment at an NHSC-approved site. Awardees receive up to $50,000 in exchange for two years of service if they practice in a HPSA of 14 above (Tier I). Awardees can also receive up to $30,0000 in exchange for two years of service if they practice in a HPSA of 13 and below (Tier II). You will need to contact National Health Service Corp to apply and receive more information. Upon acceptance, you are encouraged to apply to National Health Service Corp for Loan Repayment Program.

Employee Benefits:

At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you'll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
• Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
• Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!

Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.

JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer.