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.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see www.avi.org
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.
SAFER is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).
JOB SUMMARY:
The Victoria SAFER Initiative is a flexible, community-based, safe supply model with health care provider oversight. Its goal is to save and affirm the lives of people who use substances by providing safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic supply.
The SAFER Outreach Nurse will work in partnership with an interdisciplinary team to provide participant-centered healthcare including assessment, screening, and education to support participants who are accessing the SAFER Initiative. The SAFER Outreach Nurse will use a harm reduction, trauma-informed approach and is required to have demonstrated clinical skills and experience to independently assess individuals with complex primary care health needs and active poly-substance use.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- 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.
- Support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illicit substances in a variety of settings (e.g. parks, drop-in centres, shelters, supported housing, OPS/SCS, etc.)
- Support participants to maintain ongoing access to pharmaceutical alternatives to illicit substances.
- Provide assessments, 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.
- Provides harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy, education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and naloxone trainings and distribution.
- Collaborate with participants and care team to develop and maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with participants in accordance with the care plan.
- Works closely with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual clients/patients/participants.
- Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by program physicians.
- 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.
- Active participation in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse
- Minimum 1-5 years’ full scope, outreach nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use and mental health challenges, an asset
- Previous experience working in supervised consumption services/overdose prevention services or other harm reduction programs
- Commitment to harm reduction and social justice principles and experience working with individuals who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
- Strong knowledge of substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
- Demonstrated commitment to person-centered healthcare service provision.
- Works well under pressure and in stressful situations.
- Capable, independent practitioner and committed team member.
- Excellent communication, conflict resolution and crisis management skills.
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and use of own vehicle for work purposes.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of primary care, substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health, health promotion, and impact of systemic poverty.
- 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, ongoing colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination.
- Demonstrated commitment to the policy and practice of harm reduction, cultural safety, and trauma and violence informed practices.
- Ability to establish and maintain respectful rapport with participants.
- Ability to observe and recognize subtle changes in participants.
- Strong advocacy skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.
- Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
- Ability to use related equipment including computer to complete documentation, data, and reports using Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
- Practiced conflict resolution and non-violent crisis intervention skills.
POSITION DETAILS:
- Pay: This position is paid per the BCNU pay grid (note: AVI is not a member of the BCNU but does set pay to their grid.)
- Location: SAFER Clinic, Victoria BC and in the community, in public spaces.
- Hours and Schedule: This is a full time position at 37.5 hours per week. Schedule: Mondays to Fridays: 9 am to 5 pm.
- Covering a Leave: This position ends February 25, 2022 or with the return of the incumbent.
- Benefits: This position will be eligible for extended health, life and AD&D coverage after 488 hours with AVI. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.
- Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately. If not, you will be eligible to join the Municipal Pension Plan right away. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
- Other Perks: This position gets 8% vacation (equivalent of 4 weeks), receives a paid day off for every Stat Holiday and Easter Monday and accrues a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation Days are both available to be used after your first 488 hours at AVI.
- Note: Schedule, Days Off and Location may be subject to change.
TO APPLY:
To apply please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org by 5pm on November 1, 2022.
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.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
We would like to thank all those who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.