Come work as an HIV/AIDS Outreach Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Nurse to join the team at Three Bridges Community Health Centre in Vancouver, BC with the STOP HIV/AIDS Initiatives. Apply today to join our team!

About STOP HIV-AIDS Initiatives:

The STOP HIV Outreach Team is an intensive case management team comprised of nurses, social workers and outreach workers who follow HIV+ individuals with challenges engaging or maintaining their linkage to care and/or adhering to their treatment programs. Over time the intent is to transition these clients to lower intensity resources as they develop and demonstrate increased ability for self-care. As a transitional team, the level of support we provide to each client is on a continuum and will vary depending on where the client is in relation to their care plan. 

As a HIV/AIDS Outreach Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health, you will:

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients and communities who are at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
• Provide frontline primary health care services to clients in the form of immediate assessment, intervention and treatment.
• Provide pre- and post-test counseling for the HIV antibody test, test results, and ongoing support and referral to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of HIV/AIDS clients.
• Provide harm reduction education, counseling and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV in non-traditional settings such as gay bars, drop-ins, on the street and other meeting places.
• Distribute harm reduction supplies.
• Collaborate with other community-based agencies to reach populations at high risk for acquiring STDs and HIV.
• Liaise with community-based AIDS organizations or other organizations to plan, develop, implement and deliver preventive HIV/AIDS educational material workshops and programs to targeted groups.
• Identify the health issues, behaviours, needs, barriers and challenges for at-risk populations.
• Work collaboratively in team settings to develop creative strategies to address the challenges and participates in research projects, and surveys as required.

Education & Experience

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Two (2) years’ recent related clinical nursing experience in community based or Indigenous-led/First Nations organization providing screening, assessment and treatment services to clients at risk and/or living with HIV/AIDS including experience performing HIV tests, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Certification in Reproductive Health (STIs) with the BCCNM is required.
• Valid BC Driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a client-centered approach.
• Knowledge of Community development and health promotion principles and practices.
• Broad knowledge of BCCNM Standards for Practice for registered nurses.
• Broad knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STIs and communicable disease control.
• Broad knowledge of mental health (including the Mental Health Act) and substance use including current pharmacological approaches to substance use treatment.
• General knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice and Harm Reduction approaches and Strengths-based care.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safety care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
• Broad knowledge of harm reduction strategies and interventions in the context of infectious disease, substance use and opioid overdose.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and HIV/AIDS community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze situations, problem solve and facilitate resolutions.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, take initiative, be flexible, and work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to manage aggressive and suicidal behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to identify community resources appropriate to client needs.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Demonstrated de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide consultation, leadership and work direction.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.