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: July 2026)
Region: North
Role Description:
The Regional Substance Use Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (NPs) will provide virtual and mobile substance use care to individuals experiencing homelessness using a comprehensive, client-centred model of care with an emphasis on harm reduction, psychosocial supports and crisis de-escalation. NPs will use their advanced knowledge, skill and judgement to treat clients who may present with complex substance use disorders such as opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder, etc.
The ICHA Regional Substance Use Primary Care NP works collaboratively with ICHA nurses and physicians, as well as the shelter agency case managers, community workers and staff to provide primary care to clients experiencing homelessness respecting PHIPA and client consent. The NP will provide comprehensive and advanced substance use assessment, in collaboration with the mobile substance use nurse, to address urgent and chronic substance use care needs, escalating issues whenever necessary to the ICHA physician or to Emergency Services as appropriate. NPs will collaborate with city/shelter staff and others to provide social and emotional supports including crisis mitigation and case management. An ICHA Nurse Manager will provide indirect supervision and ongoing support.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to formulate diagnoses and collaboratively develop care plans with clients, empowering them to participate in decisions regarding their health and goals, while supporting the management of their health and care; commitment to a harm reduction approach to care delivery.
- Deliver substance use care directly, emphasizing accessibility, health promotion, illness prevention, harm reduction, and continuity of care.
- Provide evidence-based care for various substance use disorders, including pharmacotherapy such as opioid agonist therapy, anti-craving therapy, and medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms when deemed appropriate.
- Address social and structural determinants of health that may impact clients' health status, aiming to provide comprehensive care.
- Collaborate with other healthcare providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and affiliated shelter staff, to ensure coordinated care for clients.
- Cultivate collaborative community relationships to facilitate client access to services, including referrals to long-term substance use treatment programs.
- Maintain timely and accurate medical records of client encounters, documentation, and third-party correspondence using ICHA’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
- Contribute to activities related to the development, implementation, and evaluation of medical directives, policies and procedures, and best practice guidelines.
- Support and enhance substance use knowledge within the ICHA nursing team through training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Perform other nursing duties as required by 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; Master’s degree preferred.
- Evidence of liability protection/malpractice insurance.
- Hold current CPR certification- Basic Life Support (BLS).
- 3-5 years’ nursing experience. Primary care, community health or street nursing experience is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience in harm reduction modalities and knowledge of mental health disorders, substance use treatments and social determinants of health.
- Values aligned with an anti-oppressive and anti-racism framework.
- Completion or enrolment in advanced education in addictions/ controlled substances courses (CAMH, OAT, etc.) is an asset.
- Strong understanding of the social determinants of health and structural factors impacting the health and wellbeing of communities.
- 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.
- Demonstrated excellent problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively and respectfully in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team environment.
- Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Valid current vulnerable sector police check- required upon hire.
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: $62.59-$66.84 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
