PULSE Program

Boston Health Care for the Homeless

Nature and Purpose
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program exists solely to help heal and relieve the suffering of homeless men, women and children. What began in 1985 with six clinicians requesting access to shelters in order to offer medical care has grown to an organization of over 200 dedicated workers. Through our multidisciplinary teams of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, dentists, case managers and mental health professionals, we offer the homeless population of Boston access to health care in several different ways.

                                                

Our clinicians see patients at over 80 sites in the Boston area. Sometimes they see patients in places you might expect, such as hospitals, clinics, homeless shelters, and recuperative facilities. Other times they see patients in places that might surprise you, like under bridges, in alleys, on heated grates or park benches, and at Suffolk Downs racetracks, where many of the seasonal workers are homeless. Our mission is to provide and assure access to quality health care for all homeless individuals and families in the greater Boston area. We are constantly looking for better ways of doing this and adapting to the reality of the homeless situation.

 

Opportunities for PULSE Students:

St. Francis House Medical Clinic

Tasks

PULSE students will work at our clinic inside the St. Francis House Shelter, where homeless individuals come for primary health care as well as treatment for medical conditions on an episodic basis. The role of the PULSE students will be to assist the clinic's staff in offering care to our patients. Part of their responsibilities include:

  • Setting up basins for foot soaks
  • Handing out towels and clean socks to patients
  • Assisting patients with the application of creams for the feet
  • Engaging patients in conversation. This not only helps establish rapport with the patient, but it often results in the identification of further medical issues.
  • Help clinic staff with disinfecting and washing basins, wiping chairs and other surfaces
  • Assisting with the restocking of the medical supply rooms, and participating in other administrative functions (i.e. answering phones, scheduling Pt's appointments, filing etc.).

Time requirement
Orientation and training will be provided before starting. A two-semester commitment will be required. Schedules will be coordinated and monitored by the Nurse Manager. Each PULSE student will be required to come twice a week (Monday thru Friday) for 3 to 4 hours each time. Students are needed primarily in the mornings, from 8 to noon, and afternoons, from 1 to 3 pm M-W-TH (less client interaction in afternoon).

 

Supervision
Training will be provided by the nurses and medical assistants at the clinic. PULSE students will also meet regularly with the nurse manager. Supervision will take place in both individual and group settings.

 

Supervisor
Cecilia Ibeabuchi

 

Address
St. Francis House Shelter
39 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 542-4704
www.bhchp.org

 

Barbara McInnis House – Medical Respite Care

Tasks

This facility provides short-term medical and recuperative services for homeless people far too ill for life in shelters but not sick enough to warrant a hospital stay.  PULSE students will work as Patient Activity Coordinators.  The responsibilities include planning and leading activities for the patients such as board games, Bingo, arts and crafts, movies, et.  The position requires volunteers who are motivated and willing to think outside the box, comfortable working independently, and with strong people skills.  The role allows volunteers to interact one-on-one or in small groups with the patients. 

 

Time Requirement

Orientation and training will be provided before starting.  A two-semester commitment will be required. Each PULSE student will be required to come twice a week (Monday thru Friday) for 4 hours each time. Students are needed primarily in the afternoons between the hours of 12 pm and 5 pm. 

 

Supervision

Supervision will take place individually on site. 

 

Supervisor

Carrie Eldridge-Dickson

 

Address

Barbara McInnis House

780 Albany Street

Boston, MA  02188

(857) 654-1048

www.bhchp.org

 

Council Member
Kristin Stobo