SAFER 713 Program RN/RPN 1.0FTE

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi‐disciplinary community-based organization providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence‐based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all. At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. For more info see www.avi.org

JOB SUMMARY:

SAFER is a flexible, community-based, safe supply model with health care provider oversight. Its goal is to affirm the lives of people who use drugs by providing safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic supply.

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Nurse Lead (or designate) and the Nurse Manager, the SAFER 713 Nurse will work in partnership with an interdisciplinary team to provide participant-centered pharmaceutical safe supply and education to support participants who are accessing SAFER and the AVI Drop-In. The SAFER 713 Nurse will use a harm reduction, trauma-informed approach and is required to have demonstrated clinical skills and experience to independently assess individuals with active poly-substance use.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide medication to individuals with high levels of poly-substance use and a variety and complexity of acute and chronic conditions, related but not exclusive to conditions of poverty and criminalization.
• Work both independently (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER team and AVI Harm Reduction Services to support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illegal/toxic substances in an OPS setting.
• Provide education, referrals, and advocacy regarding substance and general wellness, including primary and specialist care, substance use services, and medication management.
• Provide harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy, education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and naloxone training and distribution.
• Dispense medication and administer out of an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) setting.
• Work with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual participants.
• Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by physicians and program protocols.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 1 to 5 years' full scope nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use and mental health challenges in community.
• Strong knowledge of substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
• Previous experience working in supervised consumption/overdose prevention services or safer supply programs, including experience responding to medical emergencies such as overdose (naloxone administration, airway management, etc.).
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health, and health promotion.
• Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti-racism, decolonization, trauma informed, and a demonstrated commitment to person-centered healthcare service provision.
• Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
• Commitment to harm reduction principles and practice, with experience working alongside coworkers and with program participants, who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
• Commitment to honor Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, and approach learning about the ongoing impacts of colonial violence with humility.
• Understanding of the impact on individual health and well-being, as well as the considerations for service delivery, related to systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination.
• Works well under pressure and in stressful situations.
• Capable, independent practitioner and committed team member.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution and crisis management as well as deescalation skills.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
2. Ability to establish and maintain respectful rapport with participants.
3. Ability to observe and recognize subtle changes in participants.
4. Strong advocacy skills.
5. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.
7. Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
8. Ability to use related equipment including computer to complete documentation, data, and reports using Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
9. Practiced conflict resolution and non-violent crisis intervention skills.

POSITION DETAILS:

• Pay: per BCNU pay grid, Level 3($40.21 -$54.28) and all applicable premiums apply.
• Hours and Schedule: 1.0 FTE , shift timings will be 1:00 pm to 9:00pm, may require working on some weekends based on rotation shifts.
  Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Week 2: Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Week 3: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Week 4: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Start Date: February 2, 2026
• Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2022-2025 and this role is an Included Position.
• Location & Departments: This position will be working out of the Victoria SAFER Drop In Clinic at 713 Johnson Street in Victoria and with community as needed.
• Benefits: This position will be eligible for extended health, life and AD&D coverage in compliance with the BCNU Collective Agreement. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.
• Pension: This position will be enrolled in the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) after your first 3 months with AVI. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
• Other Perks: This position gets 7.69% vacation (equivalent of 20 days), receives 13 paid stat holidays throughout the year and accrues a Sick Bank of 6.92%. Sick and Vacation Days are both available to be used after your first 3 months at AVI.
• Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

TO APPLY:

To apply, Please click on 'To apply' to send your resume and cover letter (optional). This posting will be open to internal applicants for 72 hours. The posting will close on January 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

AVI is committed to equity and diversity and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.