SAFER Program RN​/RPN FTE

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi‑disciplinary community‑based organization providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence‑based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.

At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. For more info see (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..org

SAFER is a flexible, community‑based, safe supply model with health care provider oversight. Its goal is to affirm the lives of people who use drugs by providing safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic supply.

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Nurse Lead (or designate) and the Nurse Manager, the SAFER 713 Nurse will work in partnership with an interdisciplinary team to provide participant‑centered pharmaceutical safe supply and education to support participants who are accessing SAFER and the AVI Drop‑In. The SAFER 713 Nurse will use a harm reduction, trauma‑informed approach and is required to have demonstrated clinical skills and experience to independently assess individuals with active poly‑substance use.

• Provide medication to individuals with high levels of poly‑substance use and a variety and complexity of acute and chronic conditions, related but not exclusive to conditions of poverty and criminalization.
• Work both independently (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER team and AVI Harm Reduction Services to support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illegal/toxic substances in an OPS setting.
• Provide education, referrals, and advocacy regarding substance and general wellness, including primary and specialist care, substance use services, and medication management.
• Provide harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy, education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and naloxone training and distribution.
• Dispense medication and administer out of an Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) setting.
• Work with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual participants.
• Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by physicians and program protocols.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum 1 to 5 years’ full scope nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly‑substance use and mental health challenges in community.
• Strong knowledge of substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
• Previous experience working in supervised consumption/overdose prevention services or safer supply programs, including experience responding to medical emergencies such as overdose (naloxone administration, airway management, etc.).
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health, and health promotion.
• Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti‑racism, decolonization, trauma informed, and a demonstrated commitment to person‑centered healthcare service provision.
• Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity‑oriented models of social support and health care.
• Commitment to harm reduction principles and practice, with experience working alongside coworkers and with program participants, who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
• Commitment to honor Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, and approach learning about the ongoing impacts of colonial violence with humility.
• Understanding of the impact on individual health and well‑being, as well as the considerations for…