Nurse - Community Wellbeing

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority•Thunder Bay, ON

13d•CA$88,212 - CA$128,818•Remote

About The Position

Approaches to Community Wellbeing (ACW) is a regional resource to 31 First Nations communities. ACW provides expertise, support, services, and programming in community wellbeing (public health) to the region. The program also supports communities in the development, implementation, and monitoring of their own approaches to community wellbeing. The Nurse – Community Wellbeing will play a key role in promoting, protecting, and improving the health and wellbeing of First Nations individuals, families, and communities. Working in remote, community-led settings, the Nurse provides culturally responsive, relationship-based, community wellbeing nursing services and support guided by local knowledge, community priorities, and the Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada (Release 2.0), to address community-identified needs.

Requirements

Current registration in good standing as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario
Registered Practical Nursing Diploma or Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university with identifiable community health nursing content
A minimum of 1-year previous work experience in community wellbeing (public health) or a combination of education/experience as deemed acceptable by SLFNHA
Valid BLS certification
Valid Ontario G class driver’s license and regular vehicle access
Understanding of community wellbeing (public health) systems and First Nations health systems
Understanding of the history and jurisdictional issues that impact First Nations health
Awareness of the social determinants of health and contextual factors influencing First Nations community wellbeing (public health)
Understanding of First Nations cultural values and norms
Experience working both independently and in a team-orientated, collaborative environment is essential, with both internal and external organizations
Proficiency in computer and word processing skills, specifically electronic medical record systems
Must be willing to work irregular hours
Must be willing to travel regularly to remote First Nations communities
Ability to perform requirements of the role on a regular basis

Nice To Haves

RPN’s are welcome to apply, however, preference will be given to those with experience working as an RN in a community wellbeing (public health) setting
Vaccination program certification is an asset
Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects within the Sioux Lookout area an asset

Responsibilities

Deliver health education on infection prevention and control, routine and seasonal immunization, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, mental wellness, nutrition, physical activity, and other health topics according to community needs, adapting materials and formats to reflect community needs, languages, and local knowledge systems. This may be done through: Radio shows, Meetings, Social media – Facebook Live events and posts, Workshops and presentations, School visits and presentation
Collaborate with community members and leadership, health personnel, and other community partners to conduct needs assessments and support coordinated responses and community-led health planning initiatives at a population level in regard to community wellbeing.
Administer immunizations in compliance with SLFNHA medical directives, according to Ontario’s publicly funded scheduled and recommended seasonal vaccines.
As time allows, support community-based and nursing staff in other public health related initiatives, including: Cancer Screening: Education and outreach for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. Maternal and Child Health: Well-baby/well-child visits and prenatal/perinatal assessments. Chronic Disease Support: Wellness checks and education with a focus on diabetes prevention and management
Assist with sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) and tuberculosis (TB) education and administer tuberculin skin tests (TST) as per medical directive and SLFNHA mandate.
Support contact tracing and outbreak management procedures for reportable diseases following medical directives and SLFNHA mandates.
Attend home visits according to SLFNHA policy to support wellness checks as requested.
Build community relationships and participate in community events to provide health education and health promotion. Work with physicians, nurses, community leadership, and community members to support advocacy, particularly around the social determinants of health
Act as a liaison between the community-based workers and nurses, physicians, and visiting professionals related to community wellbeing. Promote connections between the community and external resources such as visiting professionals, services, training programs, projects and resources that could support community wellbeing.
Support a team environment, including strong working relationships with Community Health Nurses, Health Directors, Community Health Representatives, mental health and addictions workers, other health personnel, school staff, and other ACW program and SLFNHA departments, to promote healthy lifestyles.
Act as a resource and mentor in community by providing training, clinical guidance, and capacity-building to community-based workers.
Handle sensitive and confidential information in accordance with organization policy and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
Perform other duties as assigned and provide additional community support as requested.