AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community based organisation 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
The AVI Community Health Centre in Nanaimo is open 4 days a week providing Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) integrated with HIV and hepatitis C services. The OAT clinic was established more than 10 years ago and since then the services have provided comprehensive and seamless care for people living with substance use challenges or living with or at risk of HIV or Hepatitis C. There is a HIV primary care program, support services and a health promotion program that provides educational workshops, leadership training and harm reduction distribution. The clinic also serves men who have sex with men (MSM) including specific testing nights and access to PrEP. The clinic also has an Enhanced Harm Reduction Service which is a Safe Supply Initiative that is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic street drug supply. This position provides a unique opportunity to work in a community based setting to lead a highly functioning team providing care to people who experience disadvantage in the social determinants of health.
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Executive Director, or designate, the Community Health Centre Director is responsible for the management, implementation, supervision, administration and evaluation of all aspects of the operations and programming in the Nanaimo Community Health Centre.
Programs include:
- Opioid Agonist Therapy Clinic (OAT) including primary care
- HIV Primary Care and PrEP provision
- Testing for HIV, Hepatitis C and STI’s
- Positive Wellness Program for people living with HIV and hepatitis C
- Health Promotion Programs focusing on harm reduction, hepatitis C and HIV prevention
- Enhanced Harm Reduction Program
The Community Health Centre Director provides support and supervision of staff and the daily operations of the Centre. The Director has a strong relational practice of leadership in harm reduction healthcare to support and supervise staff in their roles providing psychosocial support to program participants. The Director will work closely with the Clinical Nurse Lead, who oversees clinical services and staff, and in collaboration with the Community Health Centre Team Leads, to align with the program’s strategic goals and operational requirements.
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 Community Health Centre promotes the dignity and respect of the people we serve.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES
Program Development
- Based on the agency-wide strategic plan, the Director oversees the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and services relating to health promotion and community development in the Central Island region and clinical services provided at the Nanaimo AVI Health Centre.
- Ensures health services and programs are delivered in line with the agency’s mission, vision and values.
- Implements goals, objectives, policies, procedures and systems for all operational and clinical areas of the Health clinic, Enhanced Harm Reduction, Positive Wellness Program and Health Promotions Programs
- Works in collaboration with the medical director to ensure operations of the clinic
- Engages with clients and staff in a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction and trauma and violence informed practice
- Participates in relevant committees and community networks
- Establishes and maintain the community involvement and visibility of the AVI Health Centre in our geographical area, and through social media
- Develops and maintains relationships with community partners, including participating in relevant internal and external committees. Acts as a local liaison between the clinic and external agencies including the Vancouver Island Health Authority, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, BC Centre for Disease Control, STOP HIV/AIDS teams, BOOST teams, and local community service groups
- Understanding and guiding the use of best practices for OAT care, HIV primary care and support services, Harm reduction, health promotion and STBBI testing and treatment including PrEP
- Develops, implements and maintains administrative and operational policies and procedures.
Staff Support and Supervision
- Engages with staff to establish empathic supervisory relationships with clear and mutually-defined boundaries. Supervision will be grounded in harm reduction, understandings of the impacts of trauma, and include mentoring, feedback and skills development.
- Supports staff through regular one-on-one and team meetings, and problem-solves challenging situations that arise.
- Contributes to mentorship and modeling of practice for staff that is in line with principles of social justice, trauma-informed care and cultural humility.
- Schedules program staff, to ensure appropriate staffing levels to ensure program operations, and manages payroll approval (Inclusion) and leave management
- Collaborates with Clinical Nurse Lead and Team Leads to schedule, coordinate and facilitate staff meetings and trainings
- Leads recruitment, hiring and orientation of staff, in collaboration with Clinical Nurse Lead and Team Leads
- Follows up on performance concerns and acts on disciplinary process when necessary.
- Reviews and authorizes visa, petty cash, and leave management
- Works with staff to ensure quality low barrier, non-judgmental patient care and services are provided
Health Centre Administration
- Manages the daily operations of the Community Health Centre, including monitoring and ordering supplies, monitoring workplace safety and facilities.
- Responsible for day-to-day accounting matters including processing all clinic fees including Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance funds, weekly electronic billing to Medical Services Plan through the EMR, invoicing for payment to physicians and locums by maintaining current lists for each practice, and tracking extra fees payable; developing and maintaining monthly invoice and payable reports for the MHR, MSP and bank deposits
- In conjunction with the Finance Director, assists in the development and implementation of the CHC budget and the review of expenditures
- Ensures delivery of the project is consistent with relevant funding agreements, requirements and goals, and in compliance with regulatory frameworks.
- Act as primary contact with contracted Community Health Centre physicians to manage physician scheduling, monitor and submit invoices, meet regularly about clinical program delivery and development, act as liaison between physicians and staff.
- Compiles and prepares departmental statistical and program information, and reviews other staff’s statistics and program information
- Assists with client/patient issues that require special attention
- Provides operations administration including: including the maintenance of clinic property, computer systems and installed software applications and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards
- Works with Island Health and UBC to place medical residents and arrange for preceptorships.
- Work with electronic medical record vendor to create forms, and updates to software.
- Liaises with Life Labs, Provincial Labs and Island Health Labs.
- Performs other related duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS
- University degree at bachelor’s level in relevant field i.e. Nursing or Health Sciences
- A Master’s Degree, preferably in Health Administration, Public Administration or equivalent
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively senior experience and demonstrated leadership with program management and supervision of diverse staff in a Community Health Centre.
- Previous experience working in supervised consumption/overdose prevention services or safer supply program, an asset
- Proven ability to create and implement strategic plans, operating plans, and manage seven-figure budgets.
- Demonstrated commitment to, and knowledge of, community participation, community-based health care, health issues, social determinants of health, and health promotion
- Experience in administration of a health clinic including use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Medical Services Plan billing
- Experience working with diverse populations including people living with HIV, hepatitis C or substance use challenges, street involved communities; Indigenous Persons; queer communities; people who use drugs; sex trade workers; multicultural and disability communities
- Demonstrated experience in managing human resources in a union environment
- Demonstrated experience providing comprehensive client support, harm reduction, health promotion services and substance use services including OAT care
- Employment subject to criminal record check for working with vulnerable populations
- 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.
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrated skills, experience and knowledge in the areas of OAT provision, mental health, substance use, harm reduction/health promotion practices, HIV, hepatitis C especially with marginalized or vulnerable populations
- Demonstrated leadership experience in program management and supervision of diverse staff
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to coach and mentor staff, facilitate conflict resolution, foster empathic communication and demonstrate clear boundaries
- Demonstrated commitment to the policy and practice of harm reduction, cultural safety and trauma and violence informed practices in the provision of health and social services
- Demonstrated understanding of the continuing and on-going impact of colonization, and anti-colonial, anti-racist practices and principles
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance service effectiveness;
- Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them
- Positive approach, flexible, resourceful, and enjoys working in a dynamic, informal, and relational workplace.
- Excellent communications skills including in-person and also via technology (ie video calls, Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
- Strong management and administrative skills, including fund development, project coordination, report writing, budgets, evaluation etc
- Excellent organizational, prioritization and time management skills
- Ability to work with diverse groups of stakeholders including people impacted by poverty, substance use, criminalization, people who use drugs, service providers, funders and other community members
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques
- Strong project coordination skills, including time, budget, and workload management
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible and versatile in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships, both within the agency and in the community, to achieve the goals set for the services;
POSITION DETAILS:
Schedule of Work: 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, some weekend availability required
Salary: Excluded position with a salary range set by Health Employees Association BC
Start Date: ASAP
End Date: September 1, 2023
Benefits: Blue Cross 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 to participate in the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP). At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
Other Perks: This position receives vacation and sick time and receives a paid day off for every Stat Holiday and Easter Monday.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@avi.org by July 27, 2022
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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.
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.