Community Wellbeing Registered Nurse (Community Based)
The Approaches to Community Wellbeing is a regional resource to 31 First Nations communities. The Approaches to Community Wellbeing provides expertise, support, services, and programming in community wellbeing (public health) to the region. The program also supports communities in the development, implementation, and monitoring of their own Approaches to Community Wellbeing.
The Community Wellbeing Registered Nurse will be situated in a remote community to provide community wellbeing nursing services at the community-level. The Community Wellbeing Registered Nurse’s primary focus will be COVID-19 prevention and response. The position will also support the overall Approaches to Community Wellbeing as time allows. Applicants can be based anywhere across Ontario.
The Community Wellbeing Registered Nurse will be accountable to the community-based Health Director and will also be accountable to a Community Wellbeing Nursing Manager at Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.
Multiple positions available. The positions are up to 1 year term duration with flexible work arrangements – can be full-time, part-time (min 2 weeks/month), less than 1 year, or alternate week schedules. Applicants can be from anywhere within Ontario. Travel to and from communities will be covered by SLFNHA.
Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Registered Nurse in Ontario
- Current Certificate of Competence from the College of Nurses in Ontario
- Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from an approved University with identifiable community health nursing content
- Previous work experience in community wellbeing (public health)
- Current CPR Certificate
- Vaccination Program Certification
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY:
- Understanding of Public Health (Community Wellbeing) Systems and First Nations health systems
- Understanding of the history and jurisdictional issues that impact First Nations health
- Understanding of contextual factors influencing First Nations community wellbeing (public health), including the social determinants of health
- Understanding of First Nations cultural values and norms
- Experience working both independently and in a team-orientated, collaborative environment is essential
- Proficiency in computer and word processing skills
- Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects within the Sioux Lookout area an asset;
- Must be willing to travel and work irregular hours
- Must be willing to live in a remote First Nations community
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Assist communities in emergency preparedness planning.
- Work with community to conduct needs assessments and community planning around COVID-19 and other community wellbeing issues.
- Work with community leadership, health personnel, pandemic teams and other community partners to have coordinated responses to COVID-19 and other community wellbeing issues.
- Work in a team environment to provide health education on COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, infection prevention and control, and other health topics according to community needs
- Radio shows
- Workshops
- School presentations
- Provide COVID-19 vaccination to the community
- Coordinate contact tracing and outbreak management procedures for COVID-19 and other reportable diseases. Act as the local contact person in case of outbreaks or other community wellbeing (public health) emergencies.
- Assist in health surveillance in the Sioux Lookout area by collecting and reporting data into SLFNHA’s health surveillance system.
- Support a team environment, including strong working relationships with community health nurses, health director, community health representatives, mental health and addictions workers, Raising our Children staff, other health personnel, school staff, etc., which promotes healthy lifestyles.
- Have an advisory role for community wellbeing within the community, upon request by the community.
- Act as a link between the community-based workers and nurses, physicians, and visiting professionals related to community wellbeing.
- Act as a resource and mentor in community and provide training and ongoing mentorship to community-based workers.
- Promote connections between the community and external resources. For example, bring information to the community about visiting professionals, training programs, programs or projects, and resources that could support community wellbeing.
- As time allows, support community-based and nursing staff in other public health related initiatives, including:
- Work with Raising our Children staff to conduct prenatal education classes
- Work with the Raising our Children staff and other nursing staff to conduct prenatal and postnatal home visits to support new parents. Provide education on nutrition, breastfeeding, attachment, injury prevention, infant care, etc.
- Conduct early childhood development screening
- Work with clinical nursing staff to promote and support preventive health clinics such as: immunizations, well-baby clinics, well child, well women, well men, prenatal clinics, postnatal clinics, and chronic diseases clinics
- Work with physicians, nurses, community leadership, and community members to support advocacy, especially around the social determinants of health
- Housing and infrastructure
- Water and Sanitation
- Education
- Handle sensitive/confidential material strictly in confidence in accordance with office policy and PHIPA
- Provide assistance when required and any other duties assigned
Closing date: Open till filled
