What is your role at Seattle Human Services?
I am a Registered Nurse Consultant in the Aging and Disability Services division of Seattle Human Services. Aging and Disability Services provides long-term in-home services to older people and adults with disabilities in our communities in King County. As a Registered Nurse Consultant, I provide medical expertise to our case management staff and collaborate with case managers in developing comprehensive care plans to support our clients, with the end goal of assisting clients to continue living in their homes/communities.
I conduct regular in-home visits with clients with complex medical needs and those at risk for pressure injuries and provide health promotion, education, and coaching to clients and their caregivers. In coordination with case managers, physicians, and home health workers, I assist with monitoring and re-evaluating the effectiveness of clients’ care plans regarding health, medication, and environmental concerns that may impact their ability to access appropriate health care services.
As a bilingual Registered Nurse Consultant who speaks Somali, I provide language support and advocacy to Somali clients and caregivers. A significant part of my role involves providing disease management education to clients, their families, and caregivers. As part of the Nurse Consultant team at Aging and Disability Services, I also take part in provide on-going health education and resources to our case management teams.
What made you want to work in human services?
Prior to starting my career at Seattle Human Services, I worked mainly in hospital, clinic, and long-term care settings. What attracted me to the Registered Nurse Consultant role at Aging and Disability Services division was the community environment component. Being a Registered Nurse Consultant, I can utilize my skills and professional experience more effectively by working directly with clients in their community environment. In close collaboration with community partnerships, I can also do more to advocate for clients who live in marginalized communities with limited access to health education and resources.
How has your job changed in recent years?
There have been a lot of changes to not only my job but the department as a whole. When the COVID-19 pandemic Public Health Emergency went into effect, Seattle Human Services shifted to a hybrid work environment that relied more on technology to allow staff to continue delivering vital services to our clients and communities. As someone who enjoys face-to-face contact with our clients, it was difficult for me to adjust to this new work environment, but it also provided me an opportunity to think about how to utilize technology to complete my work and continue delivering services to our clients and communities.
What do you love about your job?
I enjoy helping people. It is this deep-rooted passion for helping others that led me to pursue a career as a nurse. I especially love and enjoy my current job as a Registered Nurse Consultant because it allows me the opportunity to utilize my nursing expertise, knowledge of Aging Network programs, and passion for community work and grassroots advocacy for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in King County. As a black Muslim immigrant woman, it is important for me to use my professional expertise and position of power to address disparities in health and human services, which is also in line with and supported by Seattle Human Services as part of the department’s objective to achieve racial equity for all our communities.
What motivates you or keeps you going?
I’m motivated by my clients and the communities that I work with. I’m also motivated and inspired by my colleagues who do so much to support our clients and communities.
What’s one piece of advice for HSD newcomers or recent graduates in your field?
My one piece of advice to any HSD newcomers and recent graduates is to keep an open mind. Working at HSD and being a part of the HSD family is an honor. There are so many ways to make a difference in people’s lives and working at HSD is one of the most rewarding ways to help others.
My journey with the department started in 2014. I can honestly say that I have never been more fulfilled by a job as I am with my current role as a Registered Nurse Consultant at Aging and Disability Services. I take great pride in all that I’ve been able to accomplish with my colleagues. I look forward to being part of many more great opportunities to come.