Public Health Nurse, School Health

Regional Municipality of Peel

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The School Health Program requires a Public Health Nurse who can build and maintain strong relationships to deliver population health strategies to improve health outcomes for a group of schools across Peel Region. The individual must work in a self-directed manner within a collaborative team environment to promote and deliver services using a comprehensive school health approach.

Requirements

A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector 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

Experience and demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and deliver presentations/ workshops to a diverse audience.
Experience in establishing and maintaining partner relationships (e.g. educational institutions, local municipalities, community agencies and organizations) to develop, implement, and evaluate health promotion programming for a diverse population to meet the needs of Peel’s school-aged children
Knowledge and experience in the application of health promotion models, frameworks, theories and tools to create and facilitate supportive environments for healthy eating, physical activity, substance use prevention and mental well-being

Responsibilities

Apply knowledge regarding concepts of population health status, inequities in health, determinants of health, and strategies for health protection and promotion to guide practice
Utilize research and evidence and apply critical appraisal skills to inform policies, programs and practice
Provides health information, teaching and counselling to individuals, groups, families, and communities
Applies multiple ways of knowing into practice
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 relevant and appropriate sources of information including community assets, resources and values in collaboration with individuals, families, groups and communities.
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
Integrates an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion to inform program planning and approaches to service delivery
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