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Position Type: | Full-time |
Location: | London, ON |
Date Posted: | Jan 01, 2018 |
Experience: | 3 Years |
Education: | University Degree |
Job Description
The Registered Nurses in this role work within the context of a Client and Harm Reduction centered approach and in accordance with the College of Registered Nurses of Ontario standards of professional practice, and the established vision and values of the London Intercommunity Health Centre.
The RN works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide street level and agencies outreach as well as onsite nursing care to people living with HIV/AIDS who are facing barriers to access to HIV/AIDS treatment and are significantly marginalized by poverty, drug addiction, and mental health and housing instability.
The Registered Nurse proactively locates clients and meets them at a street level, engages clients for stability (i.e. housing, income support, food support), provides them with education regarding their diagnosis and treatment options, engages them in treatment, monitors their viral loads, supports the daily dispensation of their medicines and creates community partnerships. The primary goal is to engage and retain the clients in HIV/AIDS care.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Front-line HIV nursing, including: bloodwork monitoring, health teaching regarding pathophysiology of HIV, care planning for treatment readiness and adherence, monitor for side effects of HIV therapy, promote harm reduction and healthy living, facilitating referrals to community and specialized services, encourage and facilitate engagement in primary care.
- Case management and care coordination by partnering with the client and their support network (including internal LIHC providers and external supports) to address the social determinants of health and barriers to engaging in care (poverty, homelessness, addiction, etc.)
- Provide assessment of the common opportunistic infections that are a result of a declining CD4 count and an AIDS diagnosis.
- Provide education to the clients living with HIV on possible side effects, importance of adherence, screening of non-adherence causes and scheduling of medications. Implement strategies to address HAART adherence
- Support client access by providing outreach services and coordinating accompaniment to medical appointments, hospitals, housing services and social service programs to facilitate meeting treatment goals
- Organizing monthly treatment clinics in partnership with the Infectious Diseases Care Program
- Frequent assertive outreach to build rapport with client and address basic needs: meet clients where they are, provide support and follow up.
- Provides pre and post-test counseling for the HIV antibody test, test results, and ongoing support and referral to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of HIV/AIDS clients.
- Provides harm reduction education, counseling and support from a nursing perspective on factors that contribute to the spread of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Blood Borne Infections (STBBIs) and HIV in non-traditional settings such as bars, drop-ins, on the street, and other meeting places.
- Collaborates with other community-based agencies to reach populations at high risk for acquiring STBBIs and HIV. Liaises with community-based AIDS organizations or other organizations to plan, develop, implement and deliver preventive HIV/AIDS educational material workshops and programs to targeted groups.
- Identifies the health issues, behaviours, needs, barriers and challenges for at-risk populations. Works collaboratively in team settings to develop creative strategies to address these challenges.
Qualifications
- Post secondary diploma (RN) or degree (BScN) from a recognized college or university;
- Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario;
- Three to five years of nursing experience in a community setting or combination of community and hospital or public health setting; experience in a primary care setting is an asset;
- Strong knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and other infectious disease practice; demonstrated phlebotomy skills required.
- Experience in street level outreach, assertive engagement and motivational interviewing skills is an asset.
- Awareness of and understanding of harm reduction, social determinants of health and health promotion;
- Ability to work with diverse communities with respect, sensitivity, creativity, innovation, cultural understanding, non-judgement and facilitation skills;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, French conversation skills an asset;
- Ability to maintain complete and accurate records in accordance with the Health Centre’s policies;
- French proficiency, bilingual skills; an asset
- Strong computer skills, including the use of MS Office Products and Electronic Medical Records (Nightingale on Demand currently in use).
For 27 years, the London InterCommunity Health Centre has worked to improve the health and wellbeing of people and communities facing barriers to living full and healthy lives. One of the ways we accomplish this is by providing comprehensive primary health care for people who experience barriers to care in London, which can include chronic poverty, language or culture and complex health conditions including mental health and addictions.
Our Work/Life Balance Approach
These full time, permanent positions offer a competitive salary which is complimented with membership in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), a defined benefit pension plan. Employee self care is supported by a comprehensive Health & Dental benefit package, premiums paid by the organization. Long term disability plan, Life Insurance and an Employee/Family Assistance Plan are also included in our self care components. Paid sick and emergency days complete the compensation component of this area.
To promote time to recharge, our normal work week is 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, including one evening shift a week. Full time staff benefit from very competitive vacation time, an allotment that increases with tenure, as well as hours for Professional development, supported by funds to assist with tuition, registration and travel expenses.
A dress atmosphere best described as “casually professional”, full engagement in individual accommodation plans as needed, a recognized Positive Space for staff and community and a commitment to hiring staff that reflect the diversity of our clients and community we serve demonstrate we are an equal opportunity employer.
How to Apply
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for this position by forwarding a cover letter and resume by January 5th 2018
Mail: 659 Dundas Street, London, Ontario, N5W 2Z1
Fax: (519) 642-1532
Email: jobposting@lihc.on.ca
Should you require accommodation in making an application please contact our office. We thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to proceed in the competition will be contacted.
To learn more about the Health Centre visit us online at www.lihc.on.ca, follow us on Twitter @HealthCentre or like us on Facebook – London InterCommunity Health Centre.