Street Outreach Nurse

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Street Outreach Nurse is an integral part of the designated program and works under the direction of the Manager or designate. The role of the Street Outreach Nurse is based on the philosophy of harm reduction and focused on duties related to the prevention and control of reportable communicable disease specifically but not limited to HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Practice is consistent with BC College of Nurses and Midwives professional and practice standards. The target population is those who are street involved and at high risk or already infected with reportable communicable disease as noted above and who frequently suffer with mental health and/or addiction issues. The role is largely clinical with a complementary educational component. The Street Nurse provides support to the MHO in the control and prevention of communicable disease, as per Bill 23, Public Health (PH) Act, 2008.

Graduation from a recognized nursing program with community or public health component. A minimum of 5 years’ nursing experience, a minimum of 2 of which is public health related preferably in the area of reportable communicable disease. Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN(C) registrant. STI Certification with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives;
Immunization Competency BC.

A valid BC driver's license is required.

• A comprehensive knowledge of communicable diseases in general and specifically counseling, testing, and prophylaxis of HIV, viral hepatitis, TB and STI and treatment of TB and STI;
• Basic skills in epidemiology;
• HIV Partner Notification and Pre and Post Test Counseling with BCCDC are preferred;
• An enhanced knowledge of application of harm reduction philosophy and principles to practice;
• An enhanced knowledge of cultural safety and application to practice;
• A basic knowledge of mental health issues, illicit drug use and problematic use of alcohol;
• Nursing clinical skills related to examination and testing for a range of communicable diseases including, but not limited to, HIV, viral hepatitis, STI and TB, including:
  Venipuncture, female pelvic exams, STI exam, pap test, male STI exam, TB skin and sputum test, interpretation of laboratory results;
• First Aid and CPR;
• Basic skills in identifying drug induced and intoxicated states and withdrawal symptoms;
• Violence prevention and defusing violent behavior;
• Ability to work effectively and safely in an unstructured environment;
• Excellent communication, public relations, interpersonal, and networking skills with the ability to develop professional, relationships of trust with clients that will engage them in the clinical aspects of the Street Nurse Program and, when ready, to move them towards safer lifestyle practices and more mainstream health care services;
• Ability to monitor and report, on a qualitative basis, health related issues that affect the target population;
• Ability to educate and present to client, professional and community groups;
• Ability to apply a community development approach when working with client and community groups;

This position works with vulnerable and unhoused clients and works primarily out of the office. BCCDC STI certification is an asset.

Additional Clauses: A first in Canada: minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPR) are starting in BC! Island Health, alongside other health authorities, is implementing mNPR as a transformative staffing solution that aims to improve the working environment of nurses in order to provide better quality care to our patients.