Background:
Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) is a group of approximately 200 physicians, nurses and administrative staff with a vision of a 'healthy end to homelessness' and committed to improving the health and well-being of the homeless and precariously housed communities of Toronto. ICHA staff work in shelters, drop-ins, community service agencies, encampments and clinical hub sites. Beyond direct care provision, ICHA trains future healthcare providers, conducts and facilitates research, promotes improvements in health and social service delivery, and advocates for healthy public policies and system change locally, provincially, and nationally. ICHA continues to make significant contributions to the redesign of our local system of health care for people experiencing homelessness, including those with complex support needs. We aim to ensure that our clients can have meaningful and effective access to the highest quality health care possible. For more information about what we do, visit our website at: http://www.icha-toronto.ca.
Job Details:
Program: Regional Mobile Nursing
Position Type: Full-Time, Contract (Contract end date: May 2025)
Role Description:
The Coordinated Access to Care from Homeless (CATCH) nurse practitioner will provide on-site clinical care to individuals discharged from hospital and who are homeless and require new or enhanced services, with or without primary care, mental health or substance use care needs, using a Critical Time Intervention model. The Nurse Practitioner will work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and include partnering agency staff to provide care and support transfer of care. The Nurse Practitioner will use their knowledge, skill, and judgement to treat complex health conditions such as unmanaged chronic diseases, infectious diseases, skin conditions, complex psychiatric and/or concurrent disorders. This position reports to the Nurse Manager who provides supervision and ongoing support.
Roles and Responsibilities:
● Actively engages in and supports the triage review process of clients experiencing homelessness with clinical needs referred from participating hospital emergency departments and inpatient units. In collaboration with the case manager provided by partner agency.
● Conducts timely, comprehensive health assessments of individuals recently discharged from hospital.
● Assesses incoming patients and re-assesses existing patients meeting inclusion criteria; and facilitates coordination and transfer of care to acute and primary care settings when appropriate.
● Assesses the need for laboratory and diagnostic tests and orders appropriately.
● Interprets labs and other medical tests/assessments and treats or refers accordingly.
● Regularly collaborates with and supports with an interdisciplinary team and partners on patient care plans, interventions and programmatic processes.
● Continuously collaborates with partners to minimize barriers to accessing services and care through an anti-oppresive, trauma informed lens.
● Assesses and manages episodic and chronic conditions commonly seen in primary health care and with various physical and mental health comorbidities.
● Provides comprehensive care through a social determinant of health lens.
● Facilitates and supports transfer of clients to emergency department and/or other acute hospital care in the event of deterioration and/or emergencies.
● Ensures that standards of client care are maintained according to accepted College of Nurses standards of practice, the Regulated Health Professions Act, and ICHA policies.
● Perform other nursing duties as required by the Nurse Managers.
Qualifications:
● Current registration as a Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner (NP) (EC) with the College of Nurses of Ontario in good standing with no restrictions to practice.
● Evidence of liability protection/malpractice insurance.
● Hold current CPR certification- Basic Life Support (BLS).
● Minimum of 3 years nursing experience in NP role in acute care; emergency medicine experience preferred. Preference for those who have worked in community-based settings providing health services for people experiencing homelessness and/or marginalized/racialized populations.
● Willingness to work from a harm-reduction and anti-oppression, trauma-informed framework.
● Able to work independently in non-typical community-based primary care setting (i.e. improvised hotel clinic) with remote MD support as needed.
● Knowledge and proficiency in current, evidenced-based methods and practices in health care delivery, with an emphasis on mental health, health promotion and risk management/reduction.
● Awareness of and sensitivity to the health issues of a diverse community and experience working with marginalized/racialized populations.
● Strong interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills that include computer literacy and ability to work with EMR (OSCAR).
● Police check/clearance documentation (i.e. vulnerable sector screen) required.
Inner City Health Associates encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of our community.
Inner City Health Associates is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: $60.77-$64.89 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON M5A 1T3
