STI Clinic Nurse

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

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 services are delivered across the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, and Snaw'naw'as People.

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 STI Clinic Nurse will be supporting HIV/STI prevention, testing and treatment services in our Nanaimo office.

The position entails delivery of preventive clinical services as well as CD/STI education, consultation and counseling.  CD investigation of individual cases, clusters and outbreaks including reportable blood borne disease, vaccine preventable disease, sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and some enteric and zoonotic disease.

This position works under the direction of the Manager of Nanaimo Health Centre and is our primary nurse at this time.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Supports OAT, Primary Care, STBBI, and PrEP clients.
  2. Provides assessment, support for access to medication, education, and ongoing follow-up for clients.
  3. Provides assessments, phlebotomy, information, education, referrals, and client advocacy regarding OAT, chronic health concerns, and general wellness, including primary and specialist care, diagnostic and laboratory services, and medication adherence.
  4. Provides systems navigation, advocacy and active referral to housing, disability, mental health and substance use services, nutrition support, and other relevant services.
  5. Provides Harm Reduction support.
  6. Participates in multidisciplinary case coordination for clients living with HIV and/or HCV.
  7. Works to maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with clients, in accordance with the care plan.
  8. Works closely with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual clients.
  9. Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients and communities who are at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
  10. Provide frontline primary health care services to clients in the form of immediate assessment, intervention and treatment.
  11. Provide pre- and post-test counseling for the HIV antibody test, test results and ongoing support and referral to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of HIV/AIDS clients.
  12. Provide harm reduction education, counseling and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV in non-traditional settings such as gay bars, drop-ins, on the street and other meeting places.
  13. Distribute harm reduction supplies and collaborate with other community-based agencies to reach populations at high risk for acquiring STIs and HIV.
  14. Liaise with community-based AIDS organizations or other organizations to plan, develop, implement and deliver preventive HIV/AIDS educational material workshops and programs to targeted groups.
  15. Identify the health issues, behaviors, needs, barriers and challenges for at-risk populations.
  16. Work collaboratively in team settings to develop creative strategies to address the challenges and participates in research projects, and surveys as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • RN in BC registered with BCCNM.
  • Experience working with Trans, queer, gender-nonconforming, bi, questioning, and/or gay male identified communities.
  • Experience working with structurally vulnerable clients and communities.
  • Certification in Reproductive Health (STIs) with BCCNM.
  • 2 years’ recent related community-based experience providing screening, assessment and treatment services to clients at risk and/or living with HIV/AIDS including experience performing HIV tests or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
  • Certifications in phlebotomy, immunizations, STI testing, HIV point-of-care testing, and PAPs.
  • Valid BC Drivers License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
  • Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people living with HIV.
  • Understanding of the continuing and on-going impact of colonization and anti-colonial practices and principles.
  • Experience and knowledge of addictions harm reduction and treatment approaches.
  • Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people who use drugs.
  • Experience working with structurally vulnerable clients.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the policy and practice of harm reduction, cultural safety, and trauma and violence informed practices.
  • Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
  • Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess client responses to care, and to respond appropriately.
  • Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a client-centered approach.
  • Knowledge of Community development and health promotion principles and practices.
  • Broad knowledge of BCCNM Standards for Practice for registered nurses.
  • Broad knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STIs and communicable disease control.
  • Broad knowledge of mental health (including the Mental Health Act) and substance use including current pharmacological approaches to substance use treatment.
  • Broad knowledge of harm reduction strategies and interventions in the context of infectious disease, substance use, and the opioid overdose emergency.
  • Broad knowledge of other facilities and HIV/AIDS community resources.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze situations, problem solve and facilitate resolutions.
  • Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize, take initiative, be flexible, and work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and make nursing practices decisions.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage aggressive and suicidal behavior.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify community resources appropriate to client needs.
  • Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
  • Demonstrated de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide consultation, leadership and work direction.
  • Skilled in the use of equipment, and in the techniques appropriate for treatment.
  • Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
  • Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Strong advocacy skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
  • Ability to analyze and resolve problems.
  • Conflict resolution and non-violent crisis intervention skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and in stressful situations.
  • Ability to operate related equipment.

POSITION DETAILS:

  • Schedule of Work: 30 hours: Monday – Thursday from 9:30 – 5:30
  • Salary: Excluded position with a salary range set by the BCNU Wage Grid
  • Start Date: ASAP
  • End Date: March 31, 2023
  • Benefits: AVI pays for the entire cost of the Extended Health plan on behalf of its part time and full time nursing staff.
  • Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately.  If not, after 488 hours, you will be eligible to join the Municipal Pension Plan. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
  • Other Perks: This position gets 8% vacation (equivalent of 4 weeks) and accrues a Sick Bank of 6.9%. 

TO APPLY:                   

Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@avi.org  This posting is open until filled.

We strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Queer, who are living with or at risk of HIV, who identify as Indigenous, as a person of colour, as a person who is racialized, as a person living with a disability, as a person who uses or used drugs, as a person with experience engaging in sex work, as a person who lives with HCV, and/or persons who represent a diversity of sexual orientations and genders.

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.