Communicable Disease Nurse

Vancouver Coastal Health•Vancouver, BC

6d•CA$41 - CA$56•Hybrid

About The Position

Practices in accordance with established standards as outlined by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, as well as within the VCH vision and values, policies, and standards. Working within the context of a Public Health model, the Communicable Disease (CD) Nurse works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide public health follow-up of cases, contacts, and outbreaks of all reportable communicable diseases (CDs) and Sexually Transmitted/Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs), including emerging pathogens. Follow-up actions include screening and assessment, investigation, prevention, surveillance, education, counselling, and implementation of an action plan in a variety of settings, including outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients. Collaborates with Medical Health Officers (MHO’s) and other health care providers in the management and control of CDs and STBBIs, as well as responding to public inquiries about immunization and general communicable disease questions. Liaises with community partners and other programs within and outside of VCH, provides referrals to primary care services, harm reduction education, counseling, and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to communicable disease. Provides CD and STBBI prevention, including referrals, administration, and access to appropriate chemo/immuno prophylaxis, as directed by an MHO. This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

Requirements

Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
Successful completion of the BCCDC Immunization Competency Course.
Current BCCNM STI Certification in Reproductive Health.
Two (2) years’ recent related clinical experience providing communicable disease/outreach services within a public health setting for clients at risk or living with reportable communicable diseases.
Ability to provide STI diagnosis, testing and treatment.
Training in Partner Counselling and Referral Services (PCRS).
Completion of the VCH Point of Care Workshop, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Valid BC Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes, as required.
Broad knowledge of BCCNM Standards for Practice for Nursing Practice.
Broad knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases/disease conditions and immunization.
Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a client-centered approach.
Knowledge of community development and health promotion principles and practices.
Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a public health model.
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STI, communicable disease and infection control principles and practices.
Demonstrated skill in phlebotomy.
Demonstrated certified skills and ability to assess, diagnose and treat applicable STI’s.
Broad knowledge of harm reduction, mental health, substance use, addictions, trauma informed approaches and Indigenous cultural safety to client care.
Broad knowledge of other conditions treated in primary care settings including chronic diseases, infectious diseases (e.g., hepatitis, HIV/AIDs), wound care and infections.
Broad knowledge of public health reportable disease and follow-up requirements.
Broad knowledge of other facilities/agencies and community resources.
General knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice and Harm Reduction approaches and Strengths-based care.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physicians and other health care providers.
Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally diverse population.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and problem solve in pressure situations.
Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of the BCCDC Immunization Competency Course.
Current BCCNM STI Certification in Reproductive Health.
Training in Partner Counselling and Referral Services (PCRS).
Completion of the VCH Point of Care Workshop, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Responsibilities

Provide public health follow-up of cases, contacts, and outbreaks of all reportable communicable diseases (CDs) and Sexually Transmitted/Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs), including emerging pathogens.
Conduct screening and assessment, investigation, prevention, surveillance, education, and counselling.
Implement action plans in various settings, including outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients.
Collaborate with Medical Health Officers (MHO’s) and other health care providers in the management and control of CDs and STBBIs.
Respond to public inquiries about immunization and general communicable disease questions.
Liaise with community partners and other programs within and outside of VCH.
Provide referrals to primary care services.
Offer harm reduction education, counseling, and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to communicable disease.
Provide CD and STBBI prevention, including referrals, administration, and access to appropriate chemo/immuno prophylaxis, as directed by an MHO.
Promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
Provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
Facilitate, mediate, and resolve conflicts.
Manage aggressive and suicidal behavior.
Establish workload priorities.
Prioritize, take initiative, be flexible, and work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Adjust to new or unexpected events and respond to communicable disease outbreak situations.
Analyze and problem-solve in pressure situations.
Perform CPR techniques.
Operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
Perform the duties of the position.