Public Health Nurse, Communicable Disease Investigations & Outbreaks

Regional Municipality of Peel

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Health Services, Public Health is seeking a Public Health Nurse for the Communicable Disease Investigations and Outbreaks team. This role involves investigating reports of communicable diseases, completing case and contact management, and providing education on health promotion and disease prevention. The position operates in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment, requiring strong critical thinking and collaboration with internal and external partners. The nurse will implement public health interventions under legislative authority, work with diverse populations, and maintain electronic records. The role also involves applying knowledge of population health, health inequities, and determinants of health to guide practice, and participating in the planning and evaluation of public health strategies. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential, along with effective communication and conflict resolution skills. The nurse will also mentor students and new staff, participate in quality improvement initiatives, and adhere to public health and nursing ethical standards. Responsibilities may include emergency preparedness and response, flexible hours, and potential redeployment across the department.

Requirements

A satisfactory Level 1 Criminal Record Check obtained directly from a police station (third-party background checks will not be accepted)
A Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing or equivalent recognized by a Canadian University
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse by the College of Nurses of Ontario
Current certification in CPR (BCLS)
Previous nursing experience, or public /community health nursing experience, or public health consolidation placement as part of a BScN degree is required
Understanding of Peel’s diverse community and associated health impacts
Ability to provide non-stigmatizing, equitable and inclusive care
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with ability to act appropriately in situations requiring diplomacy and confidentiality
Relevant advocacy, negotiation, conflict management, and de-escalation skills
Ability to work effectively independently, as part of a team and participate in project work
Demonstrated skills related to assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation (individual and Program level)
Experience with use of various forms of evidence to guide work (e.g. use of health status data, critical appraisal of research evidence, analysis of guidelines)
Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Ability to apply appropriate theory and learning principles to practice
Proficient with mobile and computer systems, applications, and relevant databases
Effective written and verbal communication skills including presentations, public speaking, and group facilitation (in-person and virtual environments)
Ability to adapt to changing work environments and contexts, including supporting emergency responses
Effective organization and time management skills

Nice To Haves

1 year of (program specific) case management or 2-3 years of other communicable disease case management experience
Clinical nursing experience in acute care or community settings
Experience working with marginalized communities and knowledge of the impacts to health that disproportionately affect these individuals
Tuberculosis screening and N-95 mask fit testing may be required in certain program areas

Responsibilities

Investigate reports of communicable diseases and complete case and contact management in accordance with the Ontario Public Health Standards and Ministry guidance
Work in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment using strong critical thinking to assess risk, determine public health actions, and ensure timely response to cases, contacts, and outbreaks
Provide counselling and education on health promotion, disease prevention, and public health interventions including communicable disease transmission, exclusion/isolation requirements, prophylaxis, immunization, and harm reduction
Implement public health interventions under legislative authority (e.g., Health Protection and Promotion Act), including case follow-up, contact tracing, outbreak management, and coordination of testing and treatment pathways
Work collaboratively with team members, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, problem solving, effective communication, and continuous quality improvement to meet operational demands, including urgent response and after-hours pressures
Collaborate with internal and external partners (e.g., hospitals, primary care providers, laboratories, and community agencies) to support coordinated case and outbreak management, including linkage to care and infection prevention and control measures
Work competently and compassionately with diverse and priority populations, including individuals in congregate settings (e.g., long-term care, retirement homes, shelters), as well as populations disproportionately impacted by communicable diseases
Documentation and data entry in electronic medical records and SharePoint documentation system and reporting to the MOHLTC through iPHIS
Apply knowledge regarding concepts of population health status, inequities in health, determinants of health, and strategies for health protection and promotion to guide practice
Apply public health and nursing sciences to practice and synthesize knowledge from a broad range of theories, models and frameworks
Provides health information, teaching and counselling to individuals, groups, families, and communities
Apply multiple ways of knowing into practice
Use a holistic approach to assess the health status of clients, recognizes that a health issue or concern exists, and consider the impact of the determinants of health
Recognize patterns and trends in epidemiological data and service delivery
Identify relevant and appropriate sources of information including community assets, resources and values in collaboration with individuals, families, groups and communities
Identify and analyzes how clients' culture, attitudes, beliefs and feelings about health influences health behaviours and interventions
Establish mutually determined goals with clients, including outcome indicators and evaluative measures
Support clients to identify risks to health and make informed choices about protective, preventative and health promoting measures
Facilitate client engagement in identifying and defining health issues using community development and community assessment skills
Participate in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of community wide and site-specific public health strategies using an Evidence Informed Decision-Making process and the identified health needs of the client
Advocate for and contributes to the development of healthy public policy
Collaborate with partners to identify and address public health issues and service gaps to achieve improved health outcomes
Develop, foster and facilitate intersectoral partnerships and networks using team building, negotiation, conflict management and group facilitation
Act as a change agent to impact the determinants of health and improve health outcomes
Engage clients to identify assets, strengths and available resources, to take action to address health inequities, needs, deficits and gaps
Promote equitable access to health and related services and collaborates with communities on social justice related issues
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through opportunities for learning, modeling inclusive behaviours and proactively managing bias
Integrate an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion to inform program planning and approaches to service delivery
Communicate clearly and effectively using non-stigmatizing, equitable and inclusive language in verbal, written and inter-personal interactions to establish and maintain professional relationships with clients, internal and external partners
Demonstrate the ability to navigate challenging interactions using empathy, active listening and conflict resolution skills
Communicate knowledgably about Peel Region services, public health programs and other community resources
Utilize tools to reduce barriers to communication
Mentor and orient students, new staff and colleagues
Participate in workgroups, research and quality assurance initiatives to improve program or service delivery
Build capacity by sharing knowledge, tools, expertise and experience
Support change management and workplace culture initiatives
Engage in reflective practice and demonstrate self-direction in learning
Identify and participate in professional practice development activities
Demonstrate professionalism in multiple practice settings
Adhere to public health and nursing ethical standards and principles
Fulfill legal and professional obligations and responsibilities in accordance with relevant legislation and employer policies, procedures and medical directives
Act as an ambassador for The Region of Peel, Public Health Services and Public Health Nursing
Perform other duties as assigned which support the organizational goals
Participate in emergency preparedness, planning and training for assigned roles within the Region of Peel or direction from the Province of Ontario
Respond to public health emergencies, significant events and incidents as required by the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Emergency Standards
May be required to work flexible hours including weekends, standby (on-call) and/or evening hours
May be redeployed to nursing work across the Public Health Department as required
May be required to work in and travel to multiple locations during the workday, whether that be offices, clinics, community settings, home visits etc., and use of a personal vehicle for work-related purposes