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 more than 500 people living with HIV and hepatitis C and more than 3000 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
Safe Supply at AVI is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. AVI is located on the territories of the K'ómoks peoples.
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of Project Director or designate, the Clinical Nurse Lead (CNL) is responsible for the development and delivery of a Safe Supply programs daily clinical operations. The CNL provides supervision, leadership and functions as a role model and coach to all nursing and program staff. They work in partnership with the Program Manager to ensure support for the multidisciplinary team, and with the MD physician team to continuously develop and ensure quality program nursing practice and protocols. This position provides person-centered healthcare including assessment, screening, and education to support participants. They will use a harm reduction, trauma-informed approach and demonstrated clinical skills and experience 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 embodies collaboration, works from a relational perspective, is supportive and empathetic, upholds AVI’s harm reduction, social justice, trauma-informed care and cultural humility values with staff and people accessing our services. They support and ensure that the program promotes the dignity and respect of the people we serve and the people providing services.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff and Operational Leadership
- Provides supervision & functions as a role model and coach to all nursing staff to ensure quality clinical care is delivered and attends to principles of social justice, trauma-informed care & cultural humility.
- Works with other leadership staff to ensure open communication and coordination across a multidisciplinary team.
- Works with the Nurse team to identify and respond to nursing staff support needs, participant concerns, and issues related to clinical practice.
- Maintains responsibility, with support from Program Manager, for scheduling nursing staff and liaises with the Program Manager to ensure appropriate staffing levels across the multidisciplinary team.
- Authorizes leave management, overtime and ensures payroll responsibilities are met via Inclusion for all nursing staff. Authorizes and approves clinical expenditures in consultation with Project Manager.
- Follows up on performance concerns and acts on disciplinary process when necessary.
- Leads recruitment and hiring of nursing staff and leads orientation and training of new nursing staff.
- Monitors and supports nursing staff needs, the work environment and relevant risks ensuring appropriate resources are in place.
- Models conflict resolution skills and works with leadership staff to mediate issues that arise within the team.
- Evaluates equipment, products and supplies; and is responsible for ensuring efficient and effective inventory and purchasing processes, as well as the identification and follow-up of maintenance issues.
- Promotes and facilitates a safe and therapeutic environment for the provision of care including addressing and documenting and following up on any risk management, critical incidents, and emergency-related issues.
- Compiles qualitative and quantitative statistics and reports throughout the year, as required and in collaboration with Project Director and other leadership staff.
Clinical Practice
- Provision of direct participant care as a clinic nurse two days per week, and as needed in the case of staffing shortages. Weekend work may occasionally be required.
- Regularly meets with leadership staff to review and incorporate feedback from Research Committee regarding participant experiences, and identified safe supply priorities from local, provincial and national networks of People Who Use Drugs (PWD).
- Regularly reviews and leads development and implementation of clinical protocols in collaboration with MD physician team, partnering pharmacy, and Program Manager.
- Coordinates participant flow in consultation with interdisciplinary team members.
- Collaborates with Program Manager, Systems Navigators and/or others to ensure timely intakes and discharge of participants.
Community Relations and Partnerships
- Acts as a representative of AVI on relevant committees and working groups, in collaboration with other leadership staff.
- Maintains key relationships with integral partners and networks with a focus on harm reduction nursing and clinical practice.
- Performs other related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN/RPN registrant.
- Minimum 3-5 years recent full scope nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use.
- 3 years of experience in program coordination and supervision of staff in the community healthcare sector preferred; other leadership experience in harm reduction nursing, facilitating safe supply programming, and policy review/development will also be considered.
- 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.
- Commitment to harm reduction and social justice principles and experience working with individuals who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
- 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 understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
- Relevant or applicable training/experience in anti-racism and a demonstrated commitment to anti-colonial learning/unlearning .
- Strong analysis of colonialism and the ways in which historical and ongoing colonization impacts Indigenous People inter-generationally.
- Knowledge of local Indigenous and non-Indigenous social services including housing, income and food security supports that may benefit persons served.
- 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.
- To comply with current BC Public Health Orders, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved medical exemption. Proof of vaccination status will be required for successful applicants for positions covered by the order.
- Current Valid BC Drivers’ License an asset.
- Ability to work weekends.
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.
- 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.
- Practiced conflict resolution and non-violent crisis intervention skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to use related equipment including computer to complete documentation, data, and reports using Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
- Ability to work outdoors during all types of weather and in all seasons.
POSITION DETAILS
Schedule of Work: 30 hours per week - days negotiable
Salary: Excluded position with a salary range set by BC Nurses’ Union.
Benefits: This position will be eligible for extended health, life and AD&D coverage. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.
Pension This position is eligible immediately for the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP.) At this time, AVI contributes 9.31% towards your pension account.
Other Perks: This position receives 8% vacation accrual and 6.9% sick bank accrual. It also receives a paid day off for every Stat Holiday.
Flexibility: Ability to work from home on non-clinic days.
Start Date: ASAP
End Date: July 29, 2023
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@avi.org This position is open until filled.
We strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, persons living with disabilities, 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. It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and have lived/living expertise relevant to the position.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.