Registered Nurse for Drinker’s Lounge partnership (0.6 FTE)

We are seeking a Registered Nurse 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 PHS Community Services, to provide holistic healthcare services through an outreach-based, culturally-safe, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction approach.

Job Summary:

The Registered Nurse (0.6 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 RN’s work will be performed primarily at the Drinker’s Lounge at the Portland Hotel Society (renamed PHS Community Services Society in 2003). In collaboration with PHS, the RN will provide access to medications, food, and cultural medicine to folks who face barriers that prevent them from accessing healthcare. This role works closely with KL Elders already providing care and support to the Drinker’s Lounge.

Responsibilities:

• Establish relationships with members and provide culturally safe, kind, and empathetic support; support wellbeing and increase access to holistic health supports.
• Complete outreach to members in the DTES for delivery of medication/food, bloodwork, and wound care; occasional outreach for appointment accompaniment.
• Chart all documentation in EMR OSCAR records; complete paper charting in MAR for medication dispensing.
• Provide medication management to folks in the DTES experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, HIV, Hepatitis C, 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 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:

• Baccalaureate degree or Diploma in 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 of one year of experience in primary care nursing or similar experience in a location that serves Indigenous community members 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 preferred.
• 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 PHS.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Supervision Provided:

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

Additional Information:

• Hourly salary will be negotiated and based on BCCNP wage grid.
• Ideal days of work are Mondays, Wednesdays, and an additional weekday to meet requirements of 0.6 FTE.
• 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 will not be considered. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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