Job Description

Job Title: Nurse Practitioner (NPs) COVID Recovery Site Salary: $75.00/hour Hours: Full Time position: 5 shifts per week (40 hours/week) Part Time position: 4 shifts per 2 week pay period (approximately 16-20 hours/week) Location: COVID Recovery & Isolation site, Etobicoke Background: Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) was a group of more than 100 physicians working in over 50 shelters and drop-ins across Toronto until March 2020. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, nurses and nurse practitioners have joined ICHA in efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto shelter settings. The COVID Recovery Site is a collaboration between the City of Toronto SSHA, Parkdale Queen West CHC, The Neighbourhood Group, University Health Network, and Inner City Health Associates. At the Recovery Site, Inner City Health Associates provides acute episodic care for people who are unable to isolate without supports due to homelessness (including those living in shelters, those who are unsheltered, and some people in precarious or congregate housing). Many of ICHA’s clients have complex health needs including untreated chronic and complex multi-system diseases, an elevated risk of acute health emergencies, and serious and persistent mental illness and substance use. The COVID Recovery Site provides 24/7 medical supports, delivered by a team of nurses, harm reduction workers, peers, client support workers, and physicians. The Nurse Practitioner role is a new addition to this program. Role Description: Nurse Practitioners (NPs) will provide clinical care to individuals experiencing homelessness using a holistic, client-centered model of care with an emphasis on harm reduction, psychosocial supports and crisis de-escalation. NPs will use their advanced knowledge, skill and judgment to treat clients who may present with complex health conditions such as unmanaged chronic diseases, infectious diseases, skin conditions and wounds, mental illness and substance use issues. In this setting, the Nurse Practitioner will identify clients who are experiencing COVID-related deterioration and require an escalation of care in collaboration with the physician when needed. They will also work with the nursing team and public health to identify clients no longer requiring COVID isolation. The ICHA NP works collaboratively with ICHA nurses and physicians, as well as the shelter agency case managers, community workers and staff to provide primary care to clients experiencing homelessness respecting PHIPA and client consent. The NP will provide comprehensive and holistic advanced health assessment of clients’ physical and mental health through episodic primary care clinics to address urgent and chronic health concerns, escalating issues whenever necessary to the ICHA on-call physician or to Emergency Services. NPs will collaborate with city/shelter staff and others to provide social and emotional supports including crisis mitigation and case management. An ICHA Nurse Manager and Recovery Site Medical Director will provide direct supervision and ongoing support. The NP reports to the ICHA Director of Clinical Services. Roles and Responsibilities: • Assesses and manages episodic and chronic conditions commonly seen in primary health care • Assesses and manages complications of COVID and sequalae of COVID-related isolation • Provides supportive and lifestyle counselling which may include preventative counselling, brief supportive counselling or short term crisis management when indicated • Assesses the need for and writes orders for prescriptions, laboratory and diagnostic tests within the RN (EC) scope of practice • Makes referrals to specialists, hospital or community resources as appropriate • Ensures that standards of client care are maintained according to accepted College of Nurses standards, the Regulated Health Professions Act, and ICHA policies • Participates in the development of, and gives support to, policies/strategies which are in the interest of public health and which support the recognition of the determinants of health • Participates in a robust harm reduction program which includes prescribing managed alcohol, opioid agonist therapy, and safer opioids and/or stimulants to support safe isolation (with the support of an addictions physician as needed). QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS and EXPERIENCE: • Current registration as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class with the College of Nurses of Ontario • Master’s degree in nursing from a recognized university • Evidence of liability protection/malpractice insurance • Minimum of 3 years nursing experience in NP role in primary health care • Able to work independently in non-typical community-based primary care setting (i.e. improvised hotel clinic) with remote MD support as needed • Acute care experience and/or experience with clients who have COVID is considered an asset • Knowledge of relevant community services for individuals experiencing homelessness • Demonstrated thorough knowledge and understanding of infection control and prevention practices • Willingness to work from a harm-reduction and anti-oppression, trauma-informed framework; experience working with homeless or marginalized service users preferred • Willingness to explore options for risk mitigation safer supply prescribing with available supports • Able to manage unpredictable client presentations and situations in a collaborative and calm manner  Experience working with clients who use substances and who have serious and persistent mental illness  Willingness to work from a harm-reduction and anti-oppression, trauma-informed framework; experience working with homeless or marginalized service users preferred  Knowledge of and commitment to client–centred philosophy  Current CPR certification  Open minded, non-judgmental with a commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all people and respecting their diversity  Knowledge and proficiency in current, evidenced-based methods and practices in health care delivery, with an emphasis on mental health, health promotion and risk management/reduction • Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based health care • Awareness of and sensitivity to the health issues of a diverse community and experience working with marginalized populations • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Strong interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills that include computer literacy and ability to work with EMR (OSCAR) • Ability to work flexible hours and in multiple locations throughout Toronto • Police check/clearance documentation (i.e. vulnerable sector screen) required

Requirements

As per job description

Job Application Methods

Please apply by email only to: david.marriott@icha-toronto.ca