City: Kamloops
Program and Site Location: TiOAT
Reports To: TiOAT Coordinator
Term: Full-Time
Shift(s): Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm with ½ hour paid break
Position Classification: Nursing B
Wage Range: $32.84 up to $41.35 based on education and related experience.
The ASK Wellness Society is an Accredited not-for-profit organization. Through the generous support of funders, we assist those who are marginalized and at risk to strengthen the communities we serve (Kamloops, Merritt and Penticton). We provide housing and support to those who are facing homelessness/at risk of homelessness and support those who may use substances, mental health challenges, harm reduction, health education and ultimately provide the skills to re-enter the workforce.

What We Offer:

• Competitive benefits including but not limited to dental, vision, physiotherapy, massage, and fertility upon eligibility.
• Municipal Pension Plan upon eligibility
• On-site training and development opportunities
• A culture of equality, inclusion, and diversity including paid cultural sensitivity days
• Wellness plan benefits: Reimbursement of 50%, up to a maximum of $250.00 per calendar year
• Competitive Vacation entitlements with up to 3 weeks paid vacation in your first year upon eligibility.

Effective November 1, 2021, the Society requires all employees to be fully vaccinated (as defined by Health Canada). Full vaccination will be required before commencing employment with the Society unless a legal exemption is obtained.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of a recognized program for Licensed Practical Nurses.
• Full practicing licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (BCCNM).
• Two years experience working with vulnerable adults, mental health/addiction/homelessness issues an asset.
• Comfortable around Clients in active substance use including injection of substances.
• Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment Support Program
• Strong ability to recognize and address difficult behaviors.
• Good communication, documentation, interpersonal and conflict management skills.
• Ability to work within a team-based environment involving multi-agency support.
• Strong working knowledge of community resources.
• Understands and maintains professional boundaries.
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record and reliable/appropriate transportation with business use coverage.
• Must pass an acceptable criminal record check for the vulnerable sector.
• Occupational First Aid Level 1 required.
• Readiness to complete in-house online training within the first month of employment.
• Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, and Trauma Informed Practice an asset.
  The ASK Wellness Society offers assistance from an Employment Advisor. If you self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) and/or would like assistance with the application process, job readiness, interview readiness or tips for resume and cover letter writing, we encourage you to contact us, and you will be redirected to our Employment Advisor.
  The ASK Wellness Society is dedicated to promoting diversity/multiculturalism with inclusion as one of our Core Values. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

PURPOSE AND FUNCTION:

As the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you will work in collaboration with Interior Health, the Ministry of Health (MOH), Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) and the Outreach Team to initiate and deliver the Prescribed Safer Supply including T-iOAT (Tablet injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment), and other OAT services such as Suboxone, Sublocade, Methadone, and Kadian. Prescribed Opioid medication is for people living with opioid use disorders who have not had success with traditional treatment. Service delivery is based on a client-centered, non-judgmental perspective. Clients will be assessed by a physician and if eligible, one of the OAT alternative medications. All doses are witnessed consumption. The LPN operates in accordance with the competency guidelines and practices within the Standards of Practice as outlined by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (BCCNM).
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) also works in collaboration with Practitioners to assist with virtual health appointments and provides nursing assessments and interventions related to common diagnoses and specific clinical situations relevant to vulnerable populations. Ensures proper documentation and procedures are completed prior to the intake appointment, and performs nursing skills, including specimen acquisition in accordance with established policies, protocols, and procedures.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide harm reduction education and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to substance use and those who are at high risk for Communicable Diseases to prevent and control communicable infections and diseases.
• Engage individuals in addiction treatment who have been otherwise unable to access other forms of treatment.
• Prevent diversion of medication and manage attempts at diversion which may include suspension from the program to a less intensive method of treatment.
• Provide pre-Intake Assessment to ensure the patient is not intoxicated or in any other contraindicated acute clinical condition.
• Adjust and administer patient’s medication and provide treatments according to practitioner orders.
• Perform patient health assessments and health maintenance activities.
• Monitors and maintains infection control practices according to established standards.
• Provide ongoing continuity of care between the pharmacy, prescriber, Coordinator and clinical lead to ensure that any emerging care issues outside the scope of practice for LPNs (e.g., wound care) can be quickly referred to the prescribing physician for follow-up.
• Clean and dress wounds and assist with other basic medical care tasks.
• Provide emotional and psychological support when needed.
• Help to develop and potentially provide future clinical opioid substitution programs.
• Monitor emergencies that take place such as medical or mental health assistance and complete necessary incident reports.
• Provide instant medical care in emergencies.
• Be prepared to work calmly and together with your team, paramedics, and police in crisis situations.
• Ensure Limitation of Service Notices are completed and current.
• Help maintain a clean and organized workspace by doing light housekeeping in the office space.
• Assist and encourage clients to create connections within the community by volunteering and finding employment.
• Other duties which may or may not be listed within this job description.
• Ensure compliance with all ASK supportive standards, policies, and procedures.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Documents and reports all assessments, records observations, care provision and client responses in accordance with policies, protocols, procedures, and standards, which may include computerized records and databases.
• Assist team with required verbal and written reports, case notes, letters, memoranda, and year-end reports.
• Maintain files and statistics as per accreditation standards.
• When requested, be a member of the Society’s Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) team.
• Ensure compliance with all Society policies and procedures.
• Other duties which may or may not be outlined within this job description.