ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTHCARING KITCHENER-WATERLOO (THE HEALTH CENTRE)

The Health Centre provides a broad range of services aimed at improving the health of individuals and the wider community. Our services include medical and dental care, health promotion, illness prevention and outreach programming. Our expertise and resources are focused on working with those who experience health inequities and barriers to accessing health services. Collaborating as an interdisciplinary team, we provide services and supports that address the social determinants of health including factors and barriers such as poverty, inadequate housing, food insecurity, substance use, language and culture, as well as stigma and social exclusion.
The Health Centre works with the most complex client population served by primary health care professionals within Waterloo Region. Our highly skilled and diverse team works from a strength-based approach with individual clients as well as the broader community. We collaborate with many partner agencies and organizations within Waterloo Region. Our team consists of Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Dietitians, Chiropodists, Pharmacists, Psychiatrists, Health Promoters, Community Health Workers, Administrative Staff and Volunteers.
We invite you to consider this opportunity to join our team and contribute to this important work. The Health Centre is currently recruiting for the following position:

JOB SUMMARY:

The Nurse Practitioner primary focus of this position is to support CHCKW outreach teams that serve individuals who are homeless and precariously housed. Often, these individuals are more complex due to mental health and addiction issues. This position works closely with outreach clients and provides support to mobile primary care teams & will participate in the HART hub locations. In addition, our outreach teams work with other partners of the Inner City Health Alliance that serve the same clients.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of a recognized Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program.
• Baccalaureate Nursing Degree with Extended Class registration with the Ontario College of Nurses.
• 2 years minimum experience as a Primary Care NP working with all ages in a community health setting.
• Minimum of three years of community based experience. Some combination of community and hospital experience may be considered.
• Awareness of the Index of Well-Being and the impact social isolation has on the health of clients and community participants.
• Commitment to working within client-centered, trauma informed, social determinants of health framework.
• Exemplary emotional intelligence, communication, conflict management, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with volunteer management is considered an asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
• Experience and strong interest in working with culturally, economically, and socially diverse populations.
• Familiarity with social service and health programs, services, and systems in Waterloo Region.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Proven experience leveraging community partnerships and collaborative projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively and ensure accountability to client and the team.
• Skilled in setting and maintaining strong boundaries with clients.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills. Second language is an asset.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and various software programs including Microsoft Office, email, and Internet.
  Ability to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the Health Centre.
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  Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform assessment, diagnosis, treatment, health education/counselling and other clinical activities in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards of practice for Registered Nurses in the Extended Class (NPs) and all relevant provincial legislation and regulations.
• Work from a Social Determinants of Health perspective to improve health outcomes for individual clients and/or for the development of community health and well-being, and to reduce health inequities.
• Use a Harm Reduction approach with clients who may exhibit behaviours that place their health at risk.
• Provide addiction and mental health care imbedded in the primary care model for people with complex physical and mental health needs.
• Triage client needs either over phone, by video visit or in person.
• Maintain accurate and up to date clinical notes in accordance with NP’s professional standards and CHCKW policy.
• Participate in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health promotion/disease prevention programs for individuals and client populations as determined by CHCKW.
• Work with members of the Inner City Health Alliance (or other social service agencies) to contribute to larger initiatives such as vaccination clinics, isolation spaces, covid response, etc.
• Provide input/explore Outreach locations and connect with other agencies to create new partnerships regarding outreach client care
• Complete home visits as needed
• Support Public Health initiatives such as supporting syphilis and other infectious disease.
• Support professional development & onboarding, training and mentorship of new and existing clinical staff.
• Adhere to and support Public Health Pandemic guidelines, including vaccinations, isolation, and testing for patients
• Ability to respond in emergency situations, such as overdose or mental health crisis.
• Ability to work autonomously and consult practitioners as needed
• Serve as a health care connector, to reconnect patients back to primary care and other health care services
• Work during both regular and extended hours including 1 evening per week at outreach locations within Kitchener/Waterloo with irregular hours evenings.
• Participate in team and staff meetings and other meetings and committee work as appropriate to support both service delivery and organizational goals.
• Collect, analyze and report on data and relevant information and participate in research as determined by CHCKW.
• Contribute to the centre’s practices of hiring, orienting and training of staff.
• Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities.
• Work in a manner that preserves privacy and confidentiality. Be able to communicate health information to appropriate health care professionals.
• Work in a manner that ensures client safety and minimizes risk to clients, volunteers and the centre.
• Work in a manner consistent with the CHKW vision, mission and guiding principles.
• Work in a manner that demonstrates self-reflection and personal accountability for work performance.
• Adhere to all CHKW policies.
• Maintain up to date, accurate, clinical notes in accordance with RN professional standards and CHKW/IPC policy.
• Participate in staff and team meetings and multi-agency meetings as needed.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license, access to a reliable personal vehicle and adequate insurance for work-related travel in accordance with CHKW Policy A1901.
• Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities
• Work with other members of the Inner City Health Alliance (or other social service agencies) to provide wrap around care for Outreach clients
• Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centre’s policy and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all processes and practices.
• Participate in research as determined by the Health Centre.
• Adhere to appropriate infection control practices including those related to Covid -19.
• Maintain status of fully vaccinated for Covid-19, including boosters as they become available.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.