SAFER Licensed Practical Nurse - Casual

AVI HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community based organization, providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework – ensuring equity and access to services for all – and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.

At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see (

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

SAFER is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Nurse Lead, or designate, the SAFER Nurse will work in partnership with an interdisciplinary team to provide participant-centered healthcare including assessment, screening, and education to support participants who are accessing SAFER. The SAFER Nurse will use a harm reduction, trauma-informed approach and is required to have demonstrated clinical skills and experience to independently assess individuals with complex primary care health needs and active poly-substance use.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide care and support for individuals with high levels of poly-substance use and a variety and complexity of acute and chronic conditions, related but not exclusive to conditions of poverty and criminalization.
2. Work both independently (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER team to support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illegal/toxic substances in a variety of settings (eg. primarily at SAFER clinic but also potentially via outreach to parks, drop-in centres, shelters, supported housing, OPS/SCS, etc).
3. Provide care, assessment, screening, education, referrals, and advocacy regarding substance use, acute and chronic health concerns, mental health, sexual health, wound management, and general wellness, including primary and specialist care, substance use services, diagnostic and laboratory services, and medication management.
4. Provide harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy, education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and naloxone trainings and distribution.
5. Collaborate with participants and SAFER team to develop and maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with participants in accordance with the care plan.
6. Work with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual participants.
7. Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by program physicians and according to clinical protocols.
8. Provide education, information and appropriate referrals that are responsive to the self-identified needs of participants to manage their health, enhance understanding of their health status, and navigate through the various services and community supports related to their care.
9. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licenced Practical Nurse with minimum 1 to 5 years' full scope nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use and mental health challenges.
• Previous experience working in supervised consumption/overdose prevention services, safer supply or other harm reduction programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice principles and practices, including harm reduction, anti-racism, decolonization, combating stigma related to drug use, HIV, hepatitis C, and challenging gendered oppression, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia .
• Experience working in solidarity with diverse populations including people who are criminalized for their drug use; people who are denied housing/precariously housed/warehoused; racialized identities; Indigenous persons; LGBTQI2S+ identities; sex workers; people with disabilities.
• Relevant or applicable training/experience in anti-racism and a demonstrated commitment to anti-colonial learning/unlearning.
• Strong analysis of colonialism and intergenerational impacts of historical and ongoing colonization.
• Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
• Strong knowledge of typical medical approaches to substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of primary care, substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health and health promotion.
• Demonstrated commitment to person-centered healthcare service provision.
• Works well under pressure and in stressful situations.
• Capable, independent practitioner and committed team member.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution and crisis management skills.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License and use of own vehicle for work purposes is an asset but not required for this position.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
2. Ability to establish and maintain respectful rapport with participants.
3. Ability to observe and recognize subtle changes in participants.
4. Strong advocacy skills.
5. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team .
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.
7. Ability to organize and prioritize workload.
8. Ability to use related equipment including computer to complete documentation, data, and reports using Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
9. Practiced conflict resolution and non-violent crisis intervention skills.
10. Ability to work outdoors during all types weather in all seasons.
11. Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

POSITION DETAILS:

• Pay: per BCNU pay grid, LPN Level 1 (ranging between $32.84- $41.35) and all applicable premiums apply.
• Hours and Schedule: Casual shifts, potentially falling between Mondays to Sundays- 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Start Date: As soon as possible and is an ongoing position.
• Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Nurses' Bargaining Association 2022-2025 and this role is an Included Position.
• Location & Departments: This position will be working out of the Victoria SAFER Clinic in Victoria and possibly in community.
• Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
• Other Perks: This position gets paid an extra 13% in lieu of vacation and stat holidays. After 180 hours of work, you may be eligible for self-pay Blue Cross extended health benefits.
• Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

TO APPLY:

To apply, Please click on 'To apply' to send your resume and cover letter (optional). The posting will be open until filled.

AVI is committed to equity and diversity and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and/or have lived/living expertise relevant to the position.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.