Licensed Practical Nurse – Budzey Building Partnership (1.0 FTE)

We are seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who is passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to join the team at Kilala Lelum Health Centre. In addition to its Primary Care clinic and Relational Care program, KL works closely with partner organizations in the neighbourhood, including RainCity Housing’s The Budzey building, to provide holistic healthcare services through an outreach-based, culturally-safe, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction approach.

Job Summary:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (1.0 FTE), supported by an integrated health services team, will provide excellent culturally-safe nursing care to Kilala Lelum’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous members (patients). The LPN’s work will be performed in multiple locations, including onsite at Kilala Lelum and at The Budzey building, located above Kilala Lelum on Powell Street. In collaboration with The Budzey and RainCity Housing, the LPN will provide injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT), wound care, phlebotomy, and other services to women and women-led families living in The Budzey as they navigate the change from previous housing situations/homelessness into stable, supported, permanent housing. This role works closely with KL providers already providing care and support to women and their families in The Budzey.

Responsibilities:

• Establish relationships with members and provide culturally safe, kind, and empathetic support; support wellbeing and increase access to holistic health supports.
• Chart all documentation in EMR OSCAR records.
• Provide medication management to folks experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, HIV, Hepatitis C, and COPD.
• Conduct phlebotomy, wound care, general and focused assessments, vitals, referrals, case management, pregnancy testing, Narcan training, INSTI HIV testing, and harm reduction education.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary teams of Elders, Nurses, Physicians, Outreach Workers, Social Workers, Dieticians, and Counsellors.
• Follow leadership of Primary Care Co-Leads regarding program changes, day-to-day functioning of program, and plans to meet future goals.
• Complete case management and liaise with other healthcare teams in DTES.
• Distribute harm reduction and other supplies; provide referrals and connections to other community services and supports.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Completion of Grade 12.
• Diploma in Licensed Practical Nursing.
• Current practicing registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
• Current CPR.
• Follow the Professional, Practice and Scope of Practice Standards and competencies as outlined by BCCNM; commit to annual continuing education to meet competencies.
• Minimum one year of experience in primary care nursing or similar experience in a location that serves Indigenous community members, especially Indigenous women, and/or communities with multiple barriers to health and wellness equity, preferably within the DTES.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict, manage aggressive behaviour, and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Experience in primary care, phlebotomy, and working knowledge of immunization protocols; understanding of and interest in women’s health an asset.
• Flexible, team-oriented, and committed to respectful, collaborative problem-solving with team members. 
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally-safe, trauma-informed, member-centered, harm reduction and recovery-oriented practices.
• Experience and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous culture would be extremely beneficial. Completion of a cultural competency course or willingness to participate required.

Working Conditions:

• Willingness to work closely with both Kilala Lelum and The Budzey.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Supervision Provided:

This position is supervised by the Primary Care Co-Leads, a team of nursing professionals, and will receive support from the Clinic Manager/Administrative Lead and Executive Director.

Additional Information:

• Hourly salary will be based on the BCNU wage grid.
• Working hours to be determined based on program needs and to meet requirements of 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week).
• Extended health benefits will be available for qualifying staff.
• Kilala Lelum Health Centre is committed to equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or membership or self-identification as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

To Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to lauren.leslie@uihhc.ca. Your cover letter should clearly articulate why you are interested in this role and working with Kilala Lelum, how your background is a good fit for this specific role and our organization, and your current availability and desired schedule. Incomplete applications (those without cover letters) will not be considered. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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