Community Health Nurse

Reports To

Operations Manager- Health Center

Saulteau First Nations Mission

We strive to be the Best Governed Nation, one that is proud, culturally strong and self-sufficient.  As stewards of the land, we will ensure that the best sustainable practices are followed, now and in the future.  We remain proudly determined.

Job Purpose

The Community Health Nurse fulfills the responsibilities of the Community Health Nursing Program, providing educational and preventative services to the Saulteau First Nations (SFN) community. This position provides the community with effective services that contribute to and enhance the health and well-being of the SFN’s children, elders, and families.

Duties and Responsibilities

Community Health Nursing Program

• Conducts home care visits, providing all aspects of home care including administration of medication, assessments, referrals, and injections to community members.  Applies a structured client assessment process that includes on-going reassessment to determine client needs, family supports, and service allocation.
• Combines health sciences and knowledge with supervisory and clinical skills to effectively provide and supervise client care.
• Liaises with specialists and local medical practitioners to ensure quality and timeliness of care for community members, including authorizing admission and discharge at the Chetwynd Hospital.
• Administers the Communicable disease program and safe needle exchange. Maintains infection and biological controls.
• As the onsite RN, must sign off on all client assessment and case management decisions.  Maintains a system of record keeping and data collection to carry out program monitoring, ongoing planning, reporting, and evaluation activities.
• Advocates for services, supplies and access to practitioners/medical care as needed for SFN members.
• Implements health care plans aimed at restoring, maintaining, and promoting health, as well as preventing illness, consistent with client needs and expectations, cultural, social, and spiritual needs
• Coordinate the Chronic Disease Management and Diabetes Programs

 Health Care Administration

• Works closely with the health department team to determine the health care needs of the community and design and deliver services to meet these needs.
• Combines health sciences and knowledge with supervisory and clinical skills to effectively provide and supervise client care.
• Provides public health promotion and prevention programs such as pre/post natal education, child and infant development, and other health promotion programs.
• Monitors and assesses the development of all children form prenatal to adulthood.
• Conducts home visits to community members as needed to provide health care services and information.
• Provides public health nursing to meet or exceed the professional standards.
• Implements health care plans aimed at restoring, maintaining, and promoting health, as well as preventing illness, consistent with client needs and expectations, cultural, social, and spiritual needs.
• Intervenes to ensure that all Band members’ health needs are addressed.
• Reviews applications for extended or specialized health services, approving when appropriate or directed.
• Supports and advocates on behalf of members with external agencies (e.g. NIHB, INAC, Health Canada) and with health service suppliers.
• Assists with ensuring the continuity of care beyond hospital through collaboration with the community and other agencies.

 Communicable Disease Control

• Provides all immunizations as outlined in the BC Ministry of Health Basic Immunization schedule and Communicable Disease Control Manuals.
• Maintains inventory control, supply, storage and disposal of all materials associated with immunizations.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates the immunization services provided to community.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in TB control in First Nations communities.
• Provides community education on the need for immunization.
• Maintains appropriate records relating to the management, control, and reporting of notifiable communicable diseases.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Licensed RN with 3-5 years health care experience in a hospital or clinic.
• First Aid, CPR-C.
• Experience nursing in a First Nations and rural community is an asset.
• Emergency and triage training.
• Diabetes and Management training.
• Experience in maternity and long-term care; pre/post natal certification is an asset.
• Honest, trustworthy, respectful, and compassionate.
• Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Ability to build trust, serve as a positive role model and maintain confidentiality.
• Valid BC Driver’s License.
• Ability to pass a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check.

Work Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in the office with hours of work set as 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursdays.
• Travel may be required within SFN community and surrounding community.
• Occasional evening and weekends