Public Health Nurse - Communicable Diseases, Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections Program

Regional Municipality of Peel•Mississauga, ON

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The STBBI Program requires a self-directed and enthusiastic individual to work within a collaborative team environment to deliver services in accordance with the Ontario Public Health Standards – Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted/Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) Prevention and Control Protocol, 2019. This role involves applying knowledge of population health, health inequities, determinants of health, and strategies for health protection and promotion. The nurse will use public health and nursing sciences, synthesize knowledge from various theories, and provide health information, teaching, and counselling to individuals, groups, families, and communities. A holistic approach will be used to assess client health status, recognizing the impact of determinants of health. The role involves recognizing patterns in epidemiological data, identifying how clients' culture influences health behaviors, and establishing mutually determined goals with clients. The nurse will support clients in identifying health risks and making informed choices, facilitate client engagement in defining health issues, and participate in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of public health strategies. Advocacy for healthy public policy, collaboration with partners to address public health issues, and development of intersectoral partnerships are key. The role also involves acting as a change agent, engaging clients to address health inequities, promoting equitable access to health services, and demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Clear and effective communication using non-stigmatizing language, navigating challenging interactions with empathy, and communicating knowledgeably about Peel Region services are essential. The nurse will mentor students and new staff, participate in quality assurance initiatives, build capacity by sharing knowledge, support change management, and engage in reflective practice. Professionalism, adherence to ethical standards, and fulfilling legal obligations are expected. The role includes acting as an ambassador for The Region of Peel, participating in emergency preparedness, and responding to public health emergencies.

Requirements

A satisfactory Level 1 Criminal Record Check obtained directly from a police station (third-party background checks will not be accepted)
Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing or equivalent as recognized by a Canadian University
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse by the College of Nurses of Ontario
Previous nursing experience, or public /community health nursing experience, or public health consolidation placement as part of a BScN degree is required
Current certification in CPR (BLS)
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 and complete case and contact management of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections
Work in a fast paced, multi-disciplinary, sexual health clinic setting using critical thinking and exceptional team work to deliver excellent, inclusive customer service
Provide counselling and education on health promotion, disease prevention and public health interventions including STBBI prevention, birth control and pregnancy options, sexuality, immunization and harm reduction
Performing venipuncture and specimen collection for the purpose of STI testing, provision and dispensing of medication for birth control, Plan B emergency contraception and STI treatment including the provision of injections
Work collaboratively with team members, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, problem solving, effective communication and continuous quality improvement, to meet the operational needs of the program and our clients
Work collaboratively with other health professionals and agencies (e.g. physicians, local hospitals and community health agencies) to facilitate the provision of counselling and appropriate treatment for sexually transmitted infections
Work competently and compassionately with individuals that may be vulnerable or marginalized including but not limited to youth, members of 2SLGBTI+ communities, individuals that are street involved or homeless, racialized individuals, Indigenous peoples, people with lived experience with substances, people who are engaged in sex work or have been victims of human trafficking
Documentation and data entry in electronic medical records and SharePoint documentation system and reporting to the MOHLTC through iPHIS
Applies knowledge regarding concepts of population health status, inequities in health, determinants of health, and strategies for health protection and promotion to guide practice
Applies 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
Uses a holistic approach to assess the health status of clients, recognizes that a health issue or concern exists, and considers the impact of the determinants of health
Recognizes patterns and trends in epidemiological data and service delivery
Identifies and analyzes how clients' culture, attitudes, beliefs and feelings about health influences health behaviours and interventions
Establishes mutually determined goals with clients, including outcome indicators and evaluative measures
Supports clients to identify risks to health and make informed choices about protective, preventative and health promoting measures
Facilitates client engagement in identifying and defining health issues using community development and community assessment skills
Participates 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
Advocates for and contributes to the development of healthy public policy
Collaborates with partners to identify and address public health issues and service gaps to achieve improved health outcomes
Develops, fosters and facilitates intersectoral partnerships and networks using team building, negotiation, conflict management and group facilitation
Acts as a change agent to impact the determinants of health and improve health outcomes
Engages clients to identify assets, strengths and available resources, to take action to address health inequities, needs, deficits and gaps
Promotes equitable access to health and related services and collaborates with communities on social justice related issues
Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through opportunities for learning, modeling inclusive behaviours and proactively managing bias
Communicates 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
Demonstrates the ability to navigate challenging interactions using empathy, active listening and conflict resolution skills
Communicates knowledgably about Peel Region services, public health programs and other community resources
Utilizes tools to reduce barriers to communication
Mentors and orients students, new staff and colleagues
Participates in workgroups, research and quality assurance initiatives to improve program or service delivery
Builds capacity by sharing knowledge, tools, expertise and experience
Supports change management and workplace culture initiatives
Engages in reflective practice and demonstrates self-direction in learning
Identifies and participates in professional practice development activities
Demonstrates professionalism in multiple practice settings
Adheres to public health and nursing ethical standards and principles
Fulfills legal and professional obligations and responsibilities in accordance with relevant legislation and employer policies, procedures and medical directives
Acts as an ambassador for The Region of Peel, Public Health Services and Public Health Nursing
Performs other duties as assigned which support the organizational goals
Participates in emergency preparedness, planning and training for assigned roles within the Region of Peel or direction from the Province of Ontario
Responds to public health emergencies, significant events and incidents as required by the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Emergency Standards