We are a dynamic community-based health centre promoting social justice and health equity in the Regent Park neighbourhood and east downtown area of Toronto. We operate out of several locations and provide a wide variety of services including: primary health care, chiropody, physiotherapy, nutrition services and supports, social work, community health, immigrant and refugee services, housing assistance, harm reduction and homeless programs, Pathways to Education for high school students, infant and child development programs, parenting education and family advocacy.
Position Summary:
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) will support the Downtown East Collaborative Safe Opioid Supply Program (DEC-SOS), which is a partnership with South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Street Health, and Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre to provide essential services to people who use substances, by providing prescribed alternatives to street level drugs, and managing other health care needs. The NP will deliver primary care services, and safer supply care, with a client-centered, harm-reduction focus. This may include coordination of traditional Opiate Agonist Therapy (OAT) care.
This is a Full-time contract position until March 31, 2024. Staff will have the opportunity to participate in HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan), receive paid time off, and receive additional medical benefits.
Responsibilities Include:
Providing Patient Care:
- Delivering primary care services within the Nurse Practitioner (NP) scope of practice as outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and Bill 179, including comprehensive health assessments for those who use substances
- Delivering primary care services, traditional OAT and safer supply prescribing to people who use drugs, in a client centred, harm reduction focused manner
- Prescribing medications within the scope of practice of RNECs
- Providing supportive and therapeutic counselling and crisis intervention on an individual or group basis
- Referring patients to specialists, hospitals, community agencies or in-house staff as needed
- Maintaining accurate and timely records, writing reports, support letters; writing chart summaries for transfer or legal purposes (e.g. CAS) as required
- Ensuring that standards of patient care are maintained according to the Standards of Nursing Practice, the Standards of Practice for Nurses in the Extended Class, and generally accepted ethical guidelines for, as well as functioning within the Regulated Health Professionals Act and the Nurses’ Act
- Providing emergency care (e.g. initiating CPR), treatment of anaphylaxis, acute asthma or other conditions as required
- Participates in rotational on-call coverage to support SOS clients across partner sites
Provides health promotion and education:
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to assist with quality improvement and development of creative strategies to meet client needs
- Advocate for individual client needs to ensure access to effective care, follow-up and resources from both an individual and systemic level
- Providing health information in an accessible, appropriate ways to community and clients through pamphlets, posters etc.
- Sharing of teaching and supervision of medical learners
Advocates on individual and community issues:
- Participating in relevant meetings and actions as per internal policies and protocols
- Engaging with groups representing the needs and experiences of people who use drugs in order to adapt and improve program delivery and outcomes (e.g. Advisory Group)
- Participating in the development and/or support of policies and strategies which are in the interest of public health and healthy public policy, recognizing the social determinants of health such as adequate income, housing, and food
- Advocating on an individual basis for and with clients to other agencies and institutions
Is active in outreach and community development by:
- Participating in other RPCHC programs and activities as appropriate
- Participating in other community projects or agency activities as a representatives of the Health Centre
- Developing and maintaining working relationships with existing community and professional groups;
Qualifications and Skills required:
- Successfully completed the requirements of the General R.N. Class
- Successfully completed an approved generalist nurse practitioner program or equivalent
- Two years of nursing experience within the past five years, with at least one of these years involving advanced knowledge and decision making skills in assessment, diagnosis, and health care management
- Experience working with people who use drugs
- Experience with overdose prevention and response, and training in/experience with Naloxone administration
- Physical ability to provide support in an overdose situation
- CAMH Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Course an asset
- Mentorship/clinical shadowing in an area of addictions medicine an asset
- Experience in program development, implementation monitoring and evaluation an asset
- Clinical theories and practices
- Pharmacology knowledge is an asset
- Knowledge of the Regent Park area and issues affecting the community, including services and resources available for clients
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of harm reduction principles and practices, substance use and overdose response
- Understanding of anti-oppression principles and ability to work effectively with people of various cultural, age, and economic backgrounds
- Ability to work collaboratively within and across teams
- Skillful with time management, planning, research and evaluation, and conflict management
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Excellent leadership and planning skills
- Demonstrates interpersonal, decision making, critical thinking and organizational skills Commitment to valuing diversity, equity, partnerships and advocacy in keeping with Regent Park Community Health Centre’s Strategic Direction
- Knowledge of the Regent Park area and issues affecting families living within the Regent and Moss Park communities
- Must have up to date COVID-19 vaccination for the protection of clients and staff
Regent Park CHC is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. Applications are encouraged from qualified individuals who are Indigenous people, members of racialized communities, individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender identification, persons with disabilities and others protected under the Human Rights Code as well as individuals with lived experience in the Regent Park community. This is a bargaining unit position within OPSEU Local 5115.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. RPCHC is committed to developing an inclusive, selection process and work environment. If contacted, please advise the hiring manager if you require any accommodation during the interview process.
To protect the health and well-being of our clients and employees, Regent Park Community Health Centre has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires all staff, including new employees to have the most up to date vaccine, by a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals with valid medical or human rights-based exemptions, will be considered for appropriate accommodation within the policy.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Salary: $57.18-$68.88 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 2023-03-05
