Street Outreach Nurse

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; and
• 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:
  Venopuncture, 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, heath 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; and
• Computer literacy and data entry.