Ally Centre of Cape Breton



Position Description POSITION TITLE: Street NurseOutreach Street Health, Ally Health Clinic, Ally Centre Cape BretonREPORTING STRUCTURE:Supervisor’s Title: Ally Centre Health Services Coordinator His/her Supervisor’s Title: Ally Centre Executive Director (ED) Ally Centre Description The Ally Centre of Cape Breton is a harm-reduction, community based organization dedicated to providing prevention, support and education services to people living with or at risk of blood borne pathogens. The work done at ACCB includes blood borne pathogens/STI information and support, needle exchange, overdose prevention, anonymous testing, food bank and primary health care. In addition to these initiatives, a wide range of programs, projects, services and partnerships are at work. ACCB is involved in many mutually beneficial partnerships with government agencies and the community who share a common goal in supporting and providing services for at-risk populations. The People We Serve:The population the Ally Center serves are often referred to as marginalized, excluded or vulnerable. They are typically those people who have faced prolonged difficulties with all or some of the following: poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorder, social isolation, unemployment, conflicts with the law. Mission: The Ally Center creates supportive environments to reduce harm and promote health.POSITION SUMMARY: The Street Nurse is a member of the Ally Centre health team and will be the Outreach Street Health nurse. The practice is community outreach along with some clinic based practice. Practice, collaboration and coordination will happen in the context and location of people lives who are living homeless or in insecure places and or street involved.This position is an advanced nursing position in a community outreach setting. The nurse works as a collaborative member of the Ally health team but the majority of direct care delivery will occur independently. Services and activities that promote wellness, maintain health and prevent disease or serious exacerbation of disease will be emphasized. Using a social determinants of health framework, this is accomplished through nursing assessments, health promotion, and health education counselling and harm reduction. The nurse will need to assess, plan and implement appropriate nursing interventions for both the community and the individual. Strong collaboration is emphasized when working with the same clients between all practitioners and community agencies. The nurse is expected to deliver relationship based health care through outreach to the community, being attentive to clients changing needs. The nurse will work with the Health Services coordinator to develop and evaluate the Outreach Street Health model, develop policies and protocols and build community partnerships. The following are the main objectives of the program:To increase access to effective and equitable primary health care to community members across the life span who are vulnerable as described in the people we serve description above. To improve health status of marginalized and underserved populations.To develop and help document a street health model uniquely suited to the CBRM. To create a collaborative environment in which information, knowledge, and resources are shared among community service, health care, academic, and government organizations.MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Assessments & interventions: Works collaboratively with all members of the Ally health team, the client, other Ally Center team members, and any appropriate care provider in the development of individualized case plans.Provides access to testing, education and interventions for prevention of HIV, Hepatitis B and C, sexually transmitted infections, and other infectious diseasesProvides birth control counselling and safe sex informationProvides appropriate health education and health promotion with nursing interventions for individuals and groups with chronic diseasesProvides advocacy, counselling, support and referral for a variety of health and social concernsProvides support and advocacy for patients with complex needs Provides appropriate nursing interventions for urgent and non-urgent care through outreach, and on site at the Ally Health Clinic.Overdose prevention; naloxone administration. Nursing Procedures (not totally inclusive):Routine nursing physical assessments of well and unwell clients Wound CareTesting and facilitating treatment of sexually transmitted infectionsDressings and treatment of minor traumaTreatment advice for minor urgent careIn partnership with public health, be involved in communicable disease outbreak management and response, contact tracing, collection of respiratory samples, TB testing, etc. Facilitate access to veni-puncture and the collection and forwarding of blood and other specimens Foot Care, first aid, injections (possibly including long term psychotropic drugs)Administer treatment plans under the established medical directives (ie: Administer over the counter medications, emergency contraceptives and birth control pillsImmunizations across the life spanWell woman examsOrder medical supplies and educational pamphlets for the health teamMaintenance of emergency suppliesContact patients with reports and appointments that require urgent attentionCommunity:Provide outreach services to shelters and other agencies as the designated schedule dictatesConduct vaccine clinics at various agenciesParticipate in research projectsWorks with other team members in the creation and delivery of health education /promotion Participate on community committees or boards, when appropriatePreceptor students when necessaryParticipates in data collection for evaluation purposesDevelop a process for Outreach Street Health case conferences, attendance at Ally Centre meetings, etc.) POSITION SPECIFICATIONSMINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION:Bachelor of Nursing, Masters prepared an munity Nursing or public health training a strong advantage, specialty/ certification in emergency, mental health addictions an asset, Family Practice Nurse training an asset.CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION/DESIGNATION:Registered Nurse in the Province of Nova ScotiaCPR certificationNon-Violent Crisis Intervention CertifiedSuicide prevention trainingMental Health First AidValid Driver’s License and access to reliable vehicleSPECIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:Trauma informed careCultural safety. (aware of truth and reconciliation and systemic racism).Possesses above average nursing assessment skills including physical assessments.Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of mental illnesses, co-morbidity and treatment modalities.Demonstrated knowledge of addiction and addiction treatment Possesses an above average understanding of the social determinants and population health.Demonstrated experience in supportive counseling.Experience advocating for clients, individually and at a systemic level.Expertise and comfort working independently utilizing delegated medical directives.Excellent understanding of the principles of adult education.Excellent team player.Must have above average communication skills (verbal & written).Must have a high degree of respect, knowledge of and experience working with cultural differences and diversity.Must be able to work in a respectful manner with complex and challenging patients.Demonstrated use of conflict resolution skills.Understanding of relationship based care.Knowledge of harm reduction approaches and practices. Have an above average understanding of the issues of homelessness Possess working knowledge of the Nova Scotia income assistance programMust be able to work with challenging situations of social injusticeExcellent time management skillsProficient in using computers, basic office and spread sheetsDemonstrated work in highly stressful situationsAdaptable and flexibleNATURE AND AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE:Experience in working in a diverse community Minimum three to five years of community health experience or equivalent setting, outreach experience an assetExperience working in a collaborative practice setting desirableExperience working with the homeless community desirableExperience conducting nursing assessments with adults and children desirableExperience working in a diverse and multicultural environment desirableExperience working as an independent practitioner. JUDGEMENT & INITIATIVE:Must be able to work with a degree of autonomy and demonstrate critical thinking and sound judgmentMust be highly motivated, proactive, and creativeHave a commitment to professional and team development and self-learningTYPE AND LEVEL OF SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Expected to fulfil all activities related to the role with a minimum degree of supervision. KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Include the relevant relationships and contacts required to competently achieve the accountabilities. Include the nature of the relationship. Clients Represents the interests of the Ally Centre and outreach street health in community interactions.Works within the health team of the Ally Centre. Works with frontline staff at any of the agencies where service is provided.DEGREE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS ON FINANCIAL, HUMAN AND MATERIAL RESOURCES:Works within their scope of practice including use of medical directives.Usual expectations for provision of high quality nursing care and following professional standards of practice.PHYSICAL DEMAND: Moderate effort is required to perform this role including lifting, repetitive motion, standing, reaching, sitting, pushing/ pulling.May be some extended periods of walking on Community OutreachWorking outside in all weather conditionsShift work may be requiredMENTAL / VISUAL DEMAND: Constant interaction with people, some aggressive or verbally abusive.High stress environment because of nature of outreach and working with social injustice issuesWork hours may include evening/s and weekends. Positive “can do” attitude and an appreciation that his/her actions impact patient care. WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS:Working Environment:Supportive, exciting and challengingWill include but not limited to shelters, drop-ins, places where meals are served, street and the Ally Centre. Unavoidable Hazards:Exposure to usual hazards of health care centreExposure to unpredictable experiences including but not limited to client/landlord/stakeholder hostility, exposure to inclement weather, bed bugs, second hand cigarette smoke, and other occupational hazards.Office space is shared; expectations for mobile service delivery (in vehicle, community spaces, client’s homes).SAFETY (Patient, Worker, Workplace): The employee will demonstrate good stewardship in the identification, reporting and mitigation of unsafe acts or conditions. Current immunization records (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B and 2 step mantoux (tuberculin).COMPETENCIES:Include knowledge, abilities and behaviours required to be able to competently achieve the accountabilities. Include the nature and amount of relevant previous experience.BEHAVIOURAL:Teamwork:?Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals.Customer Service:?Providing service excellence both internally and/or externally. Initiative:?Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise.Results Focus:?Focusing efforts on achieving high-quality results consistent with the organization’s standards.Fostering Communication:?Listening and communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully with different audiences, promoting dialogue and building consensus.APPROVAL:Name (please print)SignatureDatePrepared by:Janet Bickerton RN MEdHealth Services CoordinatorJune 2020Approved Christine PorterExec. Director Ally Center ................
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