Community Health Nurse Clinical Practice Support

Key Activities

• Supports various program development and maintenance of both nursing and local support staff.


• Builds community capacity through advocating for local worker involvement in community programs.


• Stays well-informed of community programs and resources and assisting Community Health Nurses to develop connections with these programs.


• Awareness of referral processes specific to each area.


• Is a catalyst for change and innovation.


• Supports continuing education.


• Is a role model of excellent nursing practice.


• Maintains clinical competence.


• Promote First Nations and Inuit Health Branch’s nursing policies and procedures.


• Support local healthcare staff in their roles, ensuring positive experience through team integration, education and support


• Identify areas for quality improvement at the clinic level related to nursing practice, nursing programming, clinic flow and workload, etc. in collaboration with Nurse in Charge/Nurse Manager/Nurse Practice Consultant to review and complete the quality management of cycle of plan/do/study/act (PDSA). 


• Review new policies/procedures/equipment with staff


• Host nursing education within community nursing station


• Host PCB simulations while in the field and remotely through OTN


• Promote continued education of nursing staff through supporting attendance at weekly teleconferences and any on-site activities 


• Act as a clinical resource ofr Nurse in Charge and nurses to be available both on-stie and by phone when out of community, during work hours with questions related to clinic, process or practice.  Answer if able; if not, defer to appropriate person (Nurse Manager, Nurse Practice Consultant, Communicable Disease Nurse, etc)


• Liaise with Nurse Manager and Nurse Practice Consultant to identify needs and update on progress/challenges (end of community rotation at minimum)


• Attend handover meetings for Nurse in Charge with the Nurse Manager and Nurse Practice Consultant 


• Attend Nurse Practice Consultant team meetings


• Regularly dialogue with other Community Health Nurse Clinical Practice Support Via established communication platform/regular community of practice attendance to build team and share ideas, reduce silos.  


• Advocate for Community Health Nurses and patients when issues in the community affect practice via Nurse Manager


• Verbalize to all staff, boundaries of role as supportive but able to direct other issues/concerns appropriately via the Nurse Manager.  


• Complete special projects as required by Nurse Manager and Nurse Practice Consultant (ie: QA processes, creation of equipment binder, etc.)


• Adhere to First Nations and Inuit Health Branch’s nursing policies and procedures. 


• Help to foster development of cultural safety with all healthcare staff. 


• Practice clinical competence without engaging in direct patient care. 

Qualifications /Education:  

• Graduation with a nursing degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in nursing, nursing service administration, nursing education or some other specialty relevant to the position. 

Degree equivalency: 

• Occupational certificate


• Eligibility for registration as a registered nurse in a province or territory of Canada 

Experience: 

• Worked as a team member with nurses and other allied health professionals to conduct quality management activities


• Worked as a coach/mentor ensuring continuous communication, expert advice, and providing as much support to others as required 


• Conducted quality management reviews (PDSA) in an organizational environment 


• 5 years’ experience working in nursing outpost or northern FN communities

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the Nursing Standards of Practice, Clinical Practice Guidelines,Formulary, Policies and Procedures.


• Knowledge of community health nurse role in Ontario including primary care, public health, urgent/emergent role.


• Knowledge of the principles, activities and processes of Quality Management.


• Knowledge of nursing station programming including (but not limited to): chronic disease, prenatal, preventive care, well child/immunization, mental health, Communicable Disease (including sexually transmitted blood borne infections).


• Knowledge of community resources/programming/partners including (but not limited to) wound care, harm reduction (Suboxone/National Drug Policy /Nalaxone), sexual assault program, diabetes programs, Home Care, Mental Health, community programs such as Jordan’s Principle, Choose Life, Maternal/Child Health.


• Knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of adults’ education program.

Competencies: 

• Demonstrating integrity and respect.


• Thinking things through. Working effectively with others.


• Showing initiative and being action-oriented. Adaptability.


• Demonstrates cultural humility.

Abilities:

• Ability to plan, organize and meet tight deadlines.


• Ability to interpret and implement nursing standards and best practice guidelines. 


• Ability to work with peers in a team environment.


• Ability to maintain a balanced work environment.


• Ability to interpret and implement quality management process activities.


• Ability to communicate effectively, orally with nurses and other allied professionals. 


• Ability to communicate effectively, in writing with nurses and other allied professionals.

Location: Deer Lake, 3 other Shibogama communities