Registered Nurse (RN), Consumption & Treatment Service (CTS) Opioid Agonist

at  Somerset West Community Health Centre

REQUIREMENTS

• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing
• Current Registration: College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
• Professional Liability Protection (PLP)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Nursing experience in primary care for vulnerable populations, mental health & addictions.
• Preference given to candidates with harm reduction experience.

Experience providing care to individuals with substance use, particularly intravenous drug use, is an asset.

• Experience in outreach, drop-in, or shelter settings is an asset.
• Experience in emergency response is an asset.
• Commitment to working from a health equity and anti-oppressive lens.
• Experience in advocacy for persons who use drugs is considered an asset.

CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of nursing best practices for individuals with substance use.
• Familiarity with supervised injection/consumption services.
• Familiarity with Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Guidelines is an asset.
• Knowledge of current OAT (Opioid Agonist Therapy) and Safer Supply practices.
• Knowledge of psychoactive substances frequently used in the CTS service user population and potential drug interactions.
• Ability to screen and assess for overdose and withdrawal risk.
• Knowledge of primary care and the social determinants of health.
• Expertise in health promotion, disease prevention, behavior change, and health teaching.
• Strong clinical assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide care for clients in crisis.
• Expertise in non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Knowledge of concurrent mental health distress presentations (e.g., psychosis, trauma, emotional dysregulation).
• Understanding of harm reduction approaches and service delivery.
• Effective organizational, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to delegate effectively within a team.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to work under stress with multiple competing demands.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of legislation, acts, and regulations that govern nursing practice.
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification.
• Successful completion of a police record check for vulnerable populations.

This position is split between our Opioid Agonist Treatment/Safer Supply Clinic (OAT/SS) and our Consumption and Treatment Services. The Safer Supply Ottawa Initiative is a collaborative pilot being offered through partnerships with various agencies in Ottawa. This initiative provides low barrier and rapid access to pharmaceutical opioids to people who use drugs in Ottawa as an alternative to the contaminated illegal drug supply. The goal of this pilot is to reduce the risk of overdose and other harms caused by the current toxic drug supply while re-engaging and rebuilding trust with those involved in the program and the health care systems.
Reporting to the Manager, Harm Reduction, the RN works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide health care and treatment to clients who consume drugs both within the CTS and our OAT/SS Clinic. Many clients may have soft tissue damage and injuries, chronic illnesses as well as complex health and social needs. Care may be carried out independently according to scope of practice, under the guidance of medical directives, or in consultation with relevant providers as identified in SWCHC policies and procedures. Working closely with the Harm Reduction Team the RN may also take on additional duties such as case management, completing weekly assessments of clients in the Safer Supply program, obtaining urine samples and taking an active role in coordinating client care. The RN also ensures the efficient operations of the CTS by maintaining equipment, supplies, adhering to universal precautions and infection prevention and control requirements.