We're Hiring: Casual SAFER Nurse (LPN)

Summary of the Position:

Wage: as per BCNU Wage Grid

Work Locations: SAFER Program Space; outreach work in community (Victoria, BC)

Hours: varied on call shifts Monday through Sunday between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm

Start Date: ASAP

End Date: March 31, 2022

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org This position is open until filled.

 
 

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, the SAFER 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 SAFER. The SAFER 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:

  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 (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER Team to support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illegal/toxic substances in a variety of settings (eg. parks, drop-in centres, shelters, supported housing, 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 naloxone trainings and distribution.
  5. Collaborate with participants and SAFER team to develop and maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with participants in accordance with the care plan.
  6. Dispense medication and administer out of a clinical setting.
  7. Deliver medication in an outreach setting on an as-needed basis.
  8. Work with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual participants.
  9. Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by program physicians.
  10. 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.
  11. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.
  12. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Licensed Practical Nurse (BC)
  • Minimum 1 to 5 years’ full scope, outreach 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).
  • Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti-racism, decolonization and trauma-informed
  • 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.
  • Strong knowledge of substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
  • 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.
  • 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 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:

  • Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
  • 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 as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • 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.
  • Ability to work outdoors during all types weather in all seasons.

To Apply:

Please send an email with your resume to jobs@avi.org

We encourage applications from, but not limited to, Indigenous persons, persons of colour, persons living with disabilities, persons who use/d currently illegal drugs, persons with experience of sex work, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.