Salary: $23.67-$28.51 per hour

PROGRAM AREA: Primary Health

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Casual

HOURS/WEEK: Relief, as needed

Our Vision

A community without barriers to health and wellbeing

Our Mission

We reduce health inequities by providing inter-professional primary health services and community programs, focused on our priority populations, in collaboration with community partners.

Our Values

Innovation, Accountability, Person-Centred, Health Promotion, Excellence, Sustainability, Accessibility

Are you passionate about the Guelph CHC's Vision, Mission and Values and working with our priority populations who are: HIV or seeking Gender affirming Care, homeless or at risk of homelessness, low income, newcomers to Canada with language barriers, moderate to severe mental health and/or addiction issues, moderate to severe disabilities, without access to primary care, aboriginal communities, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, LGBTQ+ populations, other marginalized groups, and vulnerable children and their families experiencing violence, family conflict, social isolation and attachment struggles? If you are passionate about Guelph CHC's Vision, Mission, Values, and priority populations and meet the below qualifications, we want to hear from you.

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) will support both the HIV and Gender-Affirming Care Program. This role will maintain the smooth and efficient flow of clients through their appointments by prepping clients for visits, following up on lab results at the direction of the provider, and will complete blood draws and testing services.

In addition, they help maintain the efficiency of the clinic by ensuring an adequate supply of common medications, medical supplies, and sterilized equipment. The RPN will provide education/information to clients to maintain health and prevent at-risk behaviors. The RPN will respond to urgent or crisis situations, including emergency codes.

REPORT TO

Manager HIV and Gender Affirming Care Services

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES

1. Performs a nursing assessment of all clients receiving clinical care and initiates a plan of care in collaboration with the client(s).
2. Full intake and assessment of new clients, initial blood work and collaboration with the care team on client care plan, including rate of appointment follow ups.
3. Refer to HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH) or The AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Area (ACCKWA) depending on client's place of residence.
   
4. Phlebotomy and collection of other specimens for testing.
5. Treats STIs in accordance with medical directives.
6. Orders basic blood, urine, STI tests, as per medical directives.
7. Does wound care and health education.
8. Responds to client's medical needs and requests in absence of physician, according to scope of practice.
9. Collaborates with other health and social service providers. Assists Centre physicians and nurse practitioners with procedures performed in the clinic, including minor surgical procedures.
10. Oversees appropriate infection prevention and control measures for clinical space and facilitates sterilization of equipment.
    
11. Provides 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.
    
12. Is well versed and consistently applies clinic policies related to the safe drawing, collection, storage and transportation of blood and other bodily fluids.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Registered Practical Nurse degree and member of the College of Practical Nurses
2. Three to five years broad-based practical nursing experience in a combination of hospital and community settings and/ or public health.
3. Knowledge and experience in working with clients with HIV/AIDS and a commitment to anti-oppressive practice using a harm reduction approach.
4. Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based health care, the social determinants of health and health equity.
5. Basic word processing and computer proficiency.
6. Ability to set goals and get results within a set timeline.
7. Ability to multitask and work independently.
8. Effective written and oral communication skills.
9. Effective time management, decision making and organizational skills.
10. A good team member and supportive of interdisciplinary practice.
11. High level of confidentiality.
12. Flexible toward change.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

1. Primarily works in well-lit & ventilated/heated/cooled clinic. Exam rooms are spacious & well laid-out/supplied.
2. 70% client/ 1:1 interaction, 30% desk, meetings, frequent change of position.
3. Some travel by car required.
4. Minimal physical effort required.
5. Workday comprises roughly equal amounts of standing/sitting, with frequent changes in position. Routine exposure to persons with contagious or infectious illnesses – requires constant attention to infection control procedures. Responding to needle-stick injuries.
6. Occasional exposure to highly emotional or aggressive patients.
7. Regular need to clearly communicate with clients with language barriers, requiring care and attention, often using an Interpreter, to ensure clarity around the care plan creates pressure to both understand & be understood (often through a translator),
8. Serving Guelph CHC's priority population which include those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, newcomers to Canada with language barriers, individuals with mental health and/or addiction issues, disabilities, Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, LGBTQ+ populations and vulnerable children and their family's experiencing violence, family conflict, social isolation, and attachment struggles.

To apply for this position, you are required to be a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), be a member of the College of Nurses and have at least 3 years' experience in a combination of hospital and community settings and/or public health. You have emergency first aid (or equivalent) and CPR level C (Health Care Provider level preferred). You have strong knowledge and experience work with HIV and Gender Affirming Care philosophies and practices as well as have a passion for providing care for individuals using substances. You have experience working in HIV and Gender Affirming Care setting. You have a strong ability to work with and build a positive rapport with marginalized individuals including those who are street involved, actively using substances, and who struggle with mental health issues. You understand Indigenous Cultural Safety principles and trauma-informed care and can problem solve, multitask, and take initiative. You can work at top of scope for a RPN and can work independently. You understand and are committed to the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Guelph CHC

If you are interested in this position, please submit a resume and cover letter, outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience meet the position requirements.

Please visit our website at www.guelphchc.ca and apply using the online application tool.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from equity-deserving groups and priority populations. We thank, in advance, those who apply, but will contact only those who qualify for interviews.

If at any stage in the selection process you require special accommodation, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.

We require that all finalist applicants undergo a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screen through their local Police Services Branch prior to start date.