Public Health Nurse (Strategy, Performance and Partnerships) - WEEKEND WORK

theregio03•Waterloo, ON

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to taking only what we need, leaving some for others, and keeping the dish clean. This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity. Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community. The Role Provides public health nursing services with a focus on health promotion, health protection, and disease and injury prevention specific to an assigned program area, per Ontario Public Health Standards and the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and practices as defined by the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Nursing Act, and other professional nursing organizations, and consistent with the mission, vision, values, and strategic direction of the Department, including nursing competencies. Program areas: Health System Integration and Strategic Partnerships team, Emergency Management and Strategic Planning team

Requirements

Must possess a current Certificate of Competence as a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario and a Baccalaureate degree that includes preparation in Public Health.
Maintains professional competence as a Registered Nurse by the College of Nurses of Ontario as defined by the Regulated Health Professions Act.
Current CPR certification, immunization status, and proof of immunity for Hepatitis B are required.
Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, Ministry of Health Standards, Ontario Public Health Standards, Health Protection and Promotion Act, Health Care Consent Act, Personal Health Information Protection of Privacy Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Nursing Act, Child and Family Services Act, and other related legislation and professional guidelines and standards.
Knowledge, skill, and judgment in the application of nursing science and nursing process; assessment and history taking; child, adolescent, and adult learning principles; life cycle/maturational stress factors; and the etiology of health factors specific to priority and universal populations.
Skill in project management, strategy development, and report writing. Critical thinking and innovative problem-solving skills.
Knowledge and application of health surveillance data as it applies to assigned areas of work.
Understanding of and ability to apply health promotion and communication strategies in collaboration with others to raise awareness of health issues and place social justice and health equity on the public agenda.
Knowledge of how social, economic, and environmental factors affect health, health promotion strategies, and current community health developments; use of social justice concepts to improve the health and wellbeing of the public; and capacity building, advocacy, and policy development for priority and universal populations.
Leadership, facilitation and team-building skills. Ability to model, support, and serve as a preceptor for professional and skills development.
Skill in priority setting, organization, and self-directed learning, with minimal supervision.
Skill in community organization and conducting informal and formal assessments of health needs for priority and universal populations. Creative ability and experience in providing innovative health promotion activities; engaging others and motivating productive participation of community groups, schools, individuals, and staff to meet program objectives; and building effective partnerships with community members.
Skill in health counselling, consultation, group process and facilitation, with public speaking and interpersonal skills to counsel, advise, and facilitate learning by individuals and groups of children, adults, school staff and other professionals, peer health workers, parents, caregivers, and community members. Ability to provide non-judgmental, inclusive service to all clients. Ability to refer, coordinate, and facilitate access to services in health and other community sectors.
Ability to communicate complex technical information verbally and in writing, and to educate and express ideas clearly and concisely to clients of all ages, staff, multicultural groups, and other groups to further program objectives. Ability to alter language to suit priority and universal groups and clients’ comprehension levels.
Public speaking ability tailored to lay and professional audiences.
Ability to write clearly using appropriate format and language for reports, memos, business letters, pamphlets, meeting minutes, and other documents. Ability to synthesize data and literature from multiple sources to complete reports, documentation, and proposals.
Computer and technology skills with the ability to use software to create documents, conduct internet-based searches, and network. Ability to use and maintain electronic documentation programs.
Ability to participate as an effective team member within an interdisciplinary health setting with community members of various backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to travel within and occasionally outside the Waterloo Region.
Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
Knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, and accessibility (EDIRA), and anti-racism/anti-oppression (ARAO) concepts, principles, and frameworks.
Knowledge of community mobilization and capacity building to improve health outcomes, specifically for underserved populations or populations experiencing health inequities.
Knowledge of public health issues and strategies related to the reduction in incidence of infectious disease, infection control, immunization, and management of adverse vaccine reactions.
Knowledge of child, youth, and family health-related issues (e.g., prenatal and postpartum health, growth and development, breastfeeding support, healthy family dynamics, positive parenting, reproductive health, healthy eating, healthy weights, active living, mental health and substance use).

Nice To Haves

May work altered hours, including occasional evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities

Applies nursing science and the nursing care process to client groups. Provides case management, health counselling, consultation, clinical services, education, and resources to targeted individuals, groups, and stakeholders. Completes screening and intake assessments.
Maintains client and committee records (electronic and manual). Completes documentation, reports, and statistics.
Develops and implements communication strategies to educate and encourage behaviour change at the individual, community, and policy levels as it relates to improving the health status of assigned priority and universal populations.
Implements community engagement strategies to build the capacity of community groups and networks; provides support, guidance, and knowledge to help groups identify and influence determinants of health.
Coordinates consultation and planning teams within the Department and in the community, involving various agencies and staff.
Advocates for policy changes related to improved access and health status specific to assigned priority and universal populations.
Engages in collaborative, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral approaches to address health risks of priority and universal populations. Collaborates and develops effective relationships with colleagues and other community professionals and stakeholders in developing and delivering health promotion and protection activities for assigned priority and universal populations, facilitate continuity of care and to deliver comprehensive client care with optimal outcomes.
Uses harm reduction principles grounded in the concepts of health equity and social justice to identify and reduce or remove risk factors/barriers in a variety of environments and settings (e.g., homes, neighbourhoods, community sites, workplaces, schools).
Participates in surveillance activities, analysis, and uses data to identify and address health issues within a population or community. Monitors, analyzes, and interprets information (e.g., health status data, community needs assessment, current research data, and patterns/trends in epidemiological data and service delivery) as it relates to strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services for priority and universal populations.
Engages in research and monitors health-related publications, trends, and frameworks to guide program development, inform practice, and improve the health of priority and universal populations. Evaluates and modifies health promotion programs as needed.
Develops and actively participates in an individual continuous professional development plan to support ongoing quality improvement and maintain professional nursing and public health standards. Furthers professional competence by participating in programs, seminars, and workshops.
Provides nursing expertise and support in departmental initiatives such as immunization campaigns, infectious disease case and contact management and outbreaks and other emergency responses.
Acts as a preceptor to nursing students and volunteers.
Represents the Department, Division, and/or program on community initiatives, committees, and coalitions.
Keeps manager informed of pertinent day-to-day issues related to work assignments.
Maintains and safely handles a computer/tablet, cell phone, audiovisual equipment, program and educational materials. Informs manager regarding equipment and repair needs.
Consults extensively with all levels of staff to carry out Ontario Public Health Standards, through implementation of program operational plans and delivery of multi-disciplinary health services. Consults with and provides in-service training to other program, divisional, and regional staff.
Regularly consults with colleagues in other health units, and provincial and federal ministries to discuss programs and services. Works with external research consultants, as required.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Employs culturally safe community engagement and community development strategies to understand the strengths and needs of priority populations through providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed support to individuals, families, and larger communities through community-based (mobile) outreach modalities. Builds reciprocal relationships, and involves priority populations in the co-design of programs.
Mobilizes communities and convenes multi-sectoral partners to work collaboratively to promote system coordination and collectively address health inequities
Initiates and coordinates departmental and community projects with internal and external stakeholders that involve a high level of political acuity
Works with both school and community partnerships to deepen collaboration to create healthier, more connected school communities and neighbourhoods through coordination of services and referrals between clients, community organizations, and Public Health programs.
In addition to community engagement, service delivery includes all aspects of all departmental services (e.g., healthy babies, healthy children, prenatal health and early child development, immunization, infectious disease prevention, harm reduction, and general wellbeing across the lifespan).
Supports the development and maintenance of Public Health emergency management programs.