Job Description
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:
Department: Regional Mobile Nursing
Region: Midwest
Role Description:
The Regional Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (NP) will provide mobile and virtual 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. The NP will use his/her advanced knowledge, skill and judgement to treat clients who may present with complex health conditions such as unmanaged chronic diseases, infectious diseases, skin conditions and wounds, mental illness and substance use issues.
The ICHA NP works collaboratively with ICHA nurses and physicians, as well as the shelter agency case managers, community workers and staff to provide episodic, transitional, primary care to clients experiencing homelessness respecting PHIPA and client consent. The NP will provide comprehensive and advanced health assessment of clients’ physical and mental health through transitional and episodic primary care clinics to address urgent and chronic health concerns, escalating issues whenever necessary to the ICHA physicians or Emergency Services, as appropriate. The NP 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:
- Conducts comprehensive health assessments of individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the lifespan.
- Conducts assessments by both virtual platforms as well as outreach/in-person when clinically indicated and/or required for client-centred care.
- Assesses and manages episodic and chronic conditions commonly seen in primary health care.
- Provides supportive and lifestyle counselling which may include preventative counselling, brief supportive counselling or short-term crisis management when indicated.
- Assesses the need for and writes orders for prescriptions, laboratory and diagnostic tests within the RN(EC) scope of practice.
- Makes referrals to specialists, hospital or community resources as appropriate.
- Collaborates with partners to minimize barriers to accessing services and care.
- 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.
- Participates in the development of, and gives support to, policies/strategies which are in the interest of public health and which support the recognition of the determinants of health.
- Perform other nursing duties as required by Nurse Managers.
Qualifications:
- Current registration as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
- Master’s degree in nursing from a recognized university.
- Evidence of liability protection/malpractice insurance.
- Current CPR certification.
- Minimum of 3 years nursing experience in NP role in primary health care.
- Willingness to work from a harm-reduction and anti-oppression, trauma-informed framework; experience working with homeless or marginalized service users preferred.
- Willingness to travel within designated area of the GTA.
- Able to work independently in non-typical community-based primary care setting (i.e., improvised hotel clinic) with remote MD support as needed.
- Knowledge of relevant community services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Demonstrated thorough knowledge and understanding of infection control and prevention practices.
- Able to manage unpredictable client presentations and situations in a collaborative and calm manner.
- Experience working with clients who use substances and who have serious and persistent mental illness.
- Knowledge of and commitment to client–centered philosophy.
- Open minded, non-judgmental with a commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all people and respecting their diversity.
- 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 commitment to and knowledge of community-based health care.
- Awareness of and sensitivity to the health issues of a diverse community and experience working with marginalized populations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- 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, Permanent
Salary: $59.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON M5T 1E6
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