Nurse Practitioner

Summary

The Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (NP), the NP is responsible for providing primary health care to the Noojmowin Teg Health Centre catchment population. Noojmowin Teg Health Centre is an aboriginal community-based primary health care organization committed to outreach and a circle of care approach, focused on wholistic and comprehensive care through both traditional and western healing methods.

Grounded in the aboriginal determinants of health, the NP assesses, diagnoses and treats clients, works with the client and the community through health promotion and management of chronic illness and disease prevention. The NP collaborates, mentors, consults and refers within an interdisciplinary context and with a client-centred approach. The NP provides wholistic, client-centred, culturally safe and inclusive care across the lifespan.

Job Duties:

1. Assess, diagnose and treat client health within full NP scope of practice

§ Provide ongoing primary health care to clients including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, referral to specialists, and completes minor procedures

§ Order and interpret investigative screenings and tests to aid in diagnosis and treatment

§ Provide counselling, education and follow-up with clients to treat and manage illnesses

§ Determine the presence of existing and potential health problems with a focus on lifestyle, psychological, spiritual, emotional and physical as well as environmental risk factors that may influence the client’s health status

§ Incorporates aboriginal values and determinants of health

§ Complete client medical record within the electronic medical records database in an accurate and timely manner (See documentation policy)

§ Collaborate and consult as appropriate to address circumstances exceeding knowledge, skill and judgement or scope of practice

§ Collaborates with providers (internal and external) and clients to ensure management, referrals and information sharing to maintain the client’s continuity of care

2. Management of chronic illness in clients

§ Monitor the ongoing therapy of clients with chronic illness by providing pharmacological, complementary and counselling interventions

3. Work with clients and the community to promote healthy lifestyles, disease prevention and community health

§ Support clients and their families to take increased responsibility for their health by involving them in risk factor and health problem identification, goal setting and the choice of interventions for disease treatment, prevention and health promotion

§ Implement strategies to promote health and prevent disease with individuals, families and groups

§ Synthesize information from individual clients to identify broader implications for health within the family and the community

§ Participate in and promote the interdisciplinary provider model

§ Provide consultation services to community groups, agencies and centre staff

4. Performs administrative duties

§ Assist in the development and evaluation of policies, protocols and procedures to improve services

§ Assist in the development, planning and evaluation of treatment, education, counselling and health promotion programs

5. Quality Improvement

§ Commitment to ongoing quality improvement

§ Participate and implement quality improvement initiatives, may include data collection, analysis and strategic planning

§ Demonstrated evidence-based practice and commitment to using best practice guidelines

6. Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position

§ Engage in professional development to maintain current skills and knowledge to work to the scope of the position

§ Network with partner agencies to improve practices

§ Participate in cultural learning opportunities

Requirements:

Mandatory

§ Minimum Bachelor Degree of Science in Nursing

§ Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Primary Health Care) from an accredited program

§ Current registration in good standing, and without restriction, in the Extended Class with the College of Nurses of Ontario

§ Current CPR Level C and First Aid Certificate

§ Valid Class G Driver’s License, clear driver’s record and have access to a reliable vehicle

§ Clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check

Preferred

§ Three years to five years’ experience working as a Nurse Practitioner in primary care

§ Experience in a community health care setting

§ Experience working in nursing within First Nation populations

§ Experience working within an electronic medical record system

Knowledge

§ Knowledge of First Nation communities within the Noojmowin Teg Health Centre catchment area

§ Knowledge of service providers relevant to Noojmowin Teg Health Centre catchment area

§ Knowledge of aboriginal health and social issues, both historic and current

§ Understanding and sensitivity for the Anishinabek culture

Skills

§ Skilled in interpersonal relations, teamwork and mentorship

§ Skilled in establishing therapeutic relationships, with marginalized population

§ Proficiency in typical office software, and electronic medical record (EMR)

§ Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability

§ Prioritize, plan, organize and schedule

§ Work autonomously as well as interdependently

§ Develop client-centred care plan, integrating both traditional and western healing practices

Work Conditions:

§ Potential exposure to infectious diseases

§ Potential exposure to biohazards

§ Frequent interruptions within the office environment

§ Frequent exposure to equipment uses and treatment related risks, i.e. injections, treatments, scalpel blades/other sharps

§ Frequent sitting required

§ Frequent walking, bending, squatting in an office setting

§ Exposure to wood smoke and the burning of sacred medicines, including tobacco, sweet grass, sage and cedar, may occur within the work setting

§ Work schedules may include after-hours work

§ Work schedules may include home visits as required

§ Frequent long-distance travel required

§ Services are delivered within communities, at clinics, or on-site at Noojmowin Teg Health Centre