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
Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) completes client intakes and supports primary care, substance use services, PrEP access, and HCV treatment and care; administers injections, vaccinations, and phlebotomy; assistance with treatment adherence and harm reduction education.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support s OAT, Primary Care, STBBI, and PrEP clients.
- Provides assessment, support for access to medication, education, and ongoing follow-up for clients.
- 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.
- Provides systems navigation, advocacy and active referral to housing, disability, mental health and substance use services, nutrition support, and other relevant services.
- Provides Harm Reduction support.
- Participates in multidisciplinary case coordination for clients living with HIV and/or HCV.
- Works to maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with clients, in accordance with the care plan.
- Works closely with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual clients.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Licensed Practical Nurse 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.
- 2 years of experience working with mental health, harm reduction, and addictions services.
- Certifications in phlebotomy, immunizations, STI testing, HIV point-of-care testing, and PAPs.
- Valid class 5 Driver’s License.
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.
- 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: Casual hours on Monday – Thursday from 9:30 – 5:30
Salary: Excluded position with a salary range set by the BCNU Wage Grid
Start Date: ASAP
Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
Other Perks: This position gets paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation and 4.6% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 9.6% higher than listed.
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.