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.

This role would be in partnership with The Working Centre, non-profit organization, provides a wide array of services to support those living on the margins of society. This role would be part of the SOS team.

SPECIALIZED OUTREAH SERVICES (SOS)

SOS is an integrated team of professionals that offer flexible outreach supports to individuals experiencing homelessness or street-involved individuals with substance use, mental health, or concurrent issues by providing supportive nursing, counselling and support coordination, connections to primary care, and connection to other community services.

SOS is a flexible and adaptive team that works from the perspective of unconditional positive regard to meet people where they are at. SOS provides flexible, low-barrier access to medical, mental health and substance use supports. SOS is committed to a trauma-informed, person-centered and harm reduction approach. SOS works from non-judgmental perspective with a commitment to relationship based work to bring clinical services to the streets, shelters and encampments. SOS works holistically to address social determinants of health by providing access to medical, mental health and addiction supports. The SOS program is based on the values of social justice, inclusion and hospitality.

The SOS team is integrated into the Inner City Health Alliance (ICHA), which offers intensive place-based, onsite supports as well as primary health care, shelter services, housing and social supports designed for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, precarious housing, poverty and complex physical and mental health needs.

We invite you to consider this opportunity to joining this collaborative role with The Working Centre and Community Healthcaring Kitchener Waterloo.

The Health Centre is currently recruiting for the following position:

NURSE PRACTITIONER OUTREACH as part SOS team at The Working Centre

Part- Time - Contract - 18.75 hours per week

Job Summary:

The Nurse Practitioner with Specialized Outreach Services will work as part of dynamic, multi-disciplinary team to offer clinical services including social support, health care and harm reduction services to people who are experiencing homelessness, mental health concerns and substance use challenges. Responsibilities include direct patient care (assessment, treatment, consultation with providers, wound care and overdose response), outreach community nursing, system navigation and collaborative care provision.

Responsibilities:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Provide mobile medical care through Inner City Health Alliance locations (shelter and congregate settings, transitional and supportive housing, St. Johns Kitchen, drop-in locations, motels)
   
4. Provide primary care and mental health nursing support through a relationship and community-based framework
5. Work collaboratively with the team and other system partners (medical providers, shelters, hospitals, treatment teams) to develop, coordinate and execute care plans
6. Demonstrated knowledge of mental health, concurrent disorders, treatment modalities, and harm reduction practices
7. Understanding of anti-oppression principles and ability to work effectively with people of various cultural, age and economic backgrounds
8. Ability to work collaboratively within and across teams, developing and maintaining positive relationships with service providers.
9. Use a Harm Reduction approach with clients who may exhibit behaviours that place their health at risk.
10. Provide addiction and mental health care imbedded in the primary care model for people with complex physical and mental health needs.
11. Triage client needs either over phone, by video visit or in person.
12. Maintain accurate and up to date clinical notes in accordance with NPs professional standards and CHCKW policy.
13. Participate in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health promotion/disease prevention programs for individuals and client populations as determined by CHCKW.
14. 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.
15. Provide input/explore Outreach locations and connect with other agencies to create new partnerships regarding outreach client care
16. Complete home visits as needed
17. Support Public Health initiatives such as supporting syphilis and other infectious disease.
18. Support professional development & onboarding, training and mentorship of new and existing clinical staff.
19. Adhere to and support Public Health Pandemic guidelines, including vaccinations, isolation, and testing for patients
20. Ability to respond in emergency situations, such as overdose or mental health crisis.
21. Ability to work autonomously and consult practitioners as needed
22. Serve as a health care connector, to reconnect patients back to primary care and other health care servicesWork during both regular and extended hours including 1 evening per week at outreach locations within Kitchener/Waterloo with irregular hours evenings and weekends.
23. Participate in team and staff meetings and other meetings and committee work as appropriate to support both service delivery and organizational goals.
24. Collect, analyze and report on data and relevant information and participate in research as determined by CHCKW.
25. Contribute to the centres practices of hiring, orienting and training of staff.
26. Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities.
27. Work in a manner that preserves privacy and confidentiality. Be able to communicate health information to appropriate health care professionals.
28. Work in a manner that ensures client safety and minimizes risk to clients, volunteers and the centre.
29. Work in a manner consistent with the CHKW vision, mission and guiding principles.
30. Work in a manner that demonstrates self-reflection and personal accountability for work performance.
31. Adhere to all CHKW policies.
32. Maintain up to date, accurate, clinical notes in accordance with RN professional standards and CHKW/IPC policy.
33. Participate in staff and team meetings and multi-agency meetings as needed.
34. Maintain a valid drivers license, access to a reliable personal vehicle and adequate insurance for work-related travel in accordance with CHKW Policy A1901.
35. Work individually and collaboratively in the development and implementation of quality improvement initiatives and activities
36. Work with other members of the Inner City Health Alliance (or other social service agencies) to provide wrap around care for Outreach clients
37. Work in a manner consistent with the Health Centres policy and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all processes and practices.
38. Participate in research as determined by the Health Centre.
39. Adhere to appropriate infection control practices including those related to Covid -19.
40. Maintain status of fully vaccinated for Covid-19, including boosters as they become available.
41. Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Accountability

This position reports to: Manager, Outreach

Qualifications

1. Completion of a recognized Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program.
2. Baccalaureate Nursing Degree with Extended Class registration with the Ontario College of Nurses.
3. 3-5 years minimum experience as a Primary Care NP working with all ages in a community health setting.
4. Community based experience preferably in Outreach. Some combination of community and hospital experience may be considered.
5. Awareness of the Index of Well-Being and the impact social isolation has on the health of clients and community participants.
6. Commitment to working within client-centered, trauma informed, social determinants of health framework.
7. Exemplary emotional intelligence, communication, conflict management, and problem-solving skills.
8. Experience with volunteer management is considered an asset.
9. Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
10. Experience and strong interest in working with culturally, economically, and socially diverse populations.
11. Familiarity with social service and health programs, services, and systems in Waterloo Region.
12. Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
13. Proven experience leveraging community partnerships and collaborative projects.
14. Ability to work collaboratively and ensure accountability to client and the team.
15. Skilled in setting and maintaining strong boundaries with clients.
16. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
17. Excellent English written and oral communication skills. Second language is an asset
18. Proficiency in the use of computers and various software programs including Microsoft Office, email, and Internet.
19. Ability to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to the Health Centre.

Benefit package

Paid 4% Vacation

Optional Defined Benefit Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Application Deadline: May 30th, 2025

The Health Centre values the diversity of its staff and welcomes applications from people of all races, ethnicity, religions, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity and those with disabilities.

Individuals with a disability requiring accommodation during the application and/or the interview process should advise the recruitment contact noted above so that suitable arrangements can be made.

Personal information submitted will only be used for the purposes of this recruitment process.

We appreciate all expressions of interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.