RN / RPN / LPN

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 work within a social justice and health promotion framework – ensuring equity and access to services for all – and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible, and effective education, prevention, care, treatment, and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley, and Campbell River. For more info see : www.avi.org

AVI Health Centre is a Community Health Centre (CHC) in Nanaimo. We provide Primary Care, HIV, Substance Use, STBBI, PrEP, PEP, and HCV medical services, as well as outreach, supports, and social programming for our clients. We also provide education services for the communities we support and for health and social services students and professionals that work with the same communities. Our Health Centre is located on the Snuneymuxw territories.

The Enhanced Harm Reduction Service (EHR) is a SAFER Initiative that is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program, integrated into our CHC to provide pharmaceutical alternatives and wrap around supports to people who use drugs and access the toxic street drug supply.

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and / or support services.

JOB SUMMARY

The clinic nurse position will work in the Enhanced Harm Reduction Service centre providing safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. This program operates in conjunction with AVI's existing programs and services, including primary care and substance use services, the Positive Wellness Program for people living with or at risk of HIV / hepatitis C, health promotion education, youth advocacy and outreach, and drop-in harm reduction services.

The nurse will work in partnership with an interdisciplinary team to provide person centered healthcare including assessment, screening, and education to support clients who are accessing the program. The nurse will use a harm reduction, trauma informed approach and clinical skills to independently assess individuals with complex primary care health needs and active poly-substance use. This position requires a professional who is experienced with harm reduction and requires a commitment to collaboration with multiple stakeholders including, first and foremost, people with lived / living experience of criminalized drug use.

The successful candidate will embody a philosophy and practice of collaboration, while working from a relational perspective that upholds values of harm reduction, empathy, social justice, cultural humility, and trauma informed care. The nurse will report to the Clinical Nurse Lead.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide care and support for 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.

2. Work both independently and collaboratively with team to support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illegal / toxic substances in a variety of settings, such as parks, drop-in centers, shelters, supported housing units, OPS / SCS, etc.

3. Provide care, assessment, screening, education, referrals, and advocacy regarding substance use, acute and chronic health concerns, mental health, sexual health, wound management, and general wellness, including primary and specialist care, substance use services, diagnostic and laboratory services, and medication management.

4. Provide harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy, education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and overdose prevention education including Naloxone training and distribution.

5. Collaborate with participants and the team to develop and maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with participants in accordance with their specific care plans.

6. Provide education, information and appropriate referrals that are responsive to the self-identified needs of participants to manage their health, enhance understanding of their health status, and navigate through the various services and community supports related to their care.

7. Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by program physicians.

8. Work with community partners to ensure seamless support of program participants.

9. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.

10. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Designation from an accredited institution and current full registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a Registered Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, or Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Minimum 2-3 years of nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use and mental health challenges.
• 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).
• Strong knowledge of substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
• Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti-racism, decolonization and trauma-informed care.
• 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 program participants who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
• Commitment to honoring Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, while approaching learning about the ongoing impacts of colonial violence with humility.
• Understanding of how systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination impact individual health and well-being, as well as service delivery provision.
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of primary care, substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health and health promotion.
• Demonstrated commitment to person-centered healthcare service provision.
• Works well under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Capable, independent practitioner and committed team member.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution and crisis management skills.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

POSITION DETAILS :

TO APPLY :

To apply, please click on 'Apply to position' and attach your RESUME and Cover Letter (optional). This posting is  open until filled.

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.

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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

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