Salary Details

The salary range for this position is CAD $41.42/Hr. - CAD $55.91/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as an HIV/AIDS Outreach Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the STOP HIV-AIDS Initiatives team at Three Bridges Community Health Centre in Vancouver, BC. Apply now to join our team!

Within the context of a client and family centered care model and in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of professional practice and Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses and the established vision and values of the organization, works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients and communities who are at high risk for HIV/AIDS.

Provides frontline primary health care services to clients in the form of immediate assessment, intervention and treatment. Provides 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. Provides 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. Distributes harm reduction supplies and collaborates with other community-based agencies to reach populations at elevated risk for acquiring STIs and HIV. Liaises 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. Identifies the health issues, behaviors, needs, barriers and challenges for at-risk populations. Works collaboratively in team settings to develop creative strategies to address the challenges and participates in research projects, and surveys as required.

This work in framed within VCH's commitment to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anit-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Planetary Health.

About STOP HIV-AIDS Initiatives:

The STOP HIV Outreach Team is an intensive case management team comprised of nurses, social workers and outreach workers who follow HIV+ individuals with challenges engaging or maintaining their linkage to care and/or adhering to their treatment programs. Over time the intent is to transition these clients to lower intensity resources as they develop and demonstrate increased ability for self-care. As a transitional team, the level of support we provide to each client is on a continuum and will vary depending on where the client is in relation to their care plan.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Two (2) years' recent related clinical nursing experience in community based or Indigenous led/First Nations organization 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.
• Certification in Reproductive Health (STIs) with the BCCNM.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 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.
• General knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice and Harm Reduction approaches and Strengths-based care.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safety care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
• Broad knowledge of harm reduction strategies and interventions in the context of infectious disease, substance use and opioid overdose.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and HIV/AIDS community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze situations, problem solve and facilitate resolutions.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, take initiative, be flexible, and work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• 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.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Closing Statement

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.

***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.