Rpn - Relief

**PROGRAM AREA**:Primary Health**

**EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Casual**

**HOURS/WEEK: Relief, as needed**

**Our Vision**

A community without barriers to health and wellbeing

**Our Mission**

We reduce health inequities by providing inter-professional primary health services and community programs, focused on our priority populations, in collaboration with community partners.

**Our Values**

Innovation**, **Accountability**, **Person-Centred**, **Health Promotion**, **Excellence**, **Sustainability**, **Accessibility

Are you passionate about the Guelph CHC’s Vision, Mission and Values and working with our priority populations who are: HIV or seeking Gender affirming Care, homeless or at risk of homelessness, low income, newcomers to Canada with language barriers, moderate to severe mental health and/or addiction issues, moderate to severe disabilities, without access to primary care, aboriginal communities, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, LGBTQ+ populations, other marginalized groups, and vulnerable children and their families experiencing violence, family conflict, social isolation and attachment struggles? If you are passionate about Guelph CHC’s Vision, Mission, Values, and priority populations and meet the below qualifications, we want to hear from you.

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) will support both the HIV and Gender-Affirming Care Program. This role will maintain the smooth and efficient flow of clients through their appointments by prepping clients for visits, following up on lab results at the direction of the provider, and will complete blood draws and testing services.

In addition, they help maintain the efficiency of the clinic by ensuring an adequate supply of common medications, medical supplies, and sterilized equipment. The RPN will provide education/information to clients to maintain health and prevent at-risk behaviors. The RPN will respond to urgent or crisis situations, including emergency codes.

**REPORT TO**

Manager HIV and Gender Affirming Care Services

**PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES**
- Performs a nursing assessment of all clients receiving clinical care and initiates a plan of care in collaboration with the client(s).
- Full intake and assessment of new clients, initial blood work and collaboration with the care team on client care plan, including rate of appointment follow ups.
- Refer to HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH) or The AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Area (ACCKWA) depending on client’s place of residence.
- Phlebotomy and collection of other specimens for testing.
- Treats STIs in accordance with medical directives.
- Orders basic blood, urine, STI tests, as per medical directives.
- Does wound care and health education.
- Responds to client’s medical needs and requests in absence of physician, according to scope of practice.
- Collaborates with other health and social service providers. Assists Centre physicians and nurse practitioners with procedures performed in the clinic, including minor surgical procedures.
- Oversees appropriate infection prevention and control measures for clinical space and facilitates sterilization of equipment.
- Provides education, information and appropriate referrals that are responsive to the self-identified needs of participants to manage their health, enhance understanding of their health status, and navigate through the various services and community supports related to their care.

Is well versed and consistently applies clinic policies related to the safe drawing, collection, storage and transportation of blood and other bodily fluids.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES**
- Registered Practical Nurse degree and member of the College of Practical Nurses
- Three to five years broad-based practical nursing experience in a combination of hospital and community settings and/ or public health.
- Knowledge and experience in working with clients with HIV/AIDS and a commitment to anti-oppressive practice using a harm reduction approach.
- Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based health care, the social determinants of health and health equity.
- Basic word processing and computer proficiency.
- Ability to set goals and get results within a set timeline.
- Ability to multitask and work independently.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Effective time management, decision making and organizational skills.
- A good team member and supportive of interdisciplinary practice.
- High level of confidentiality.
- Flexible toward change.

**WORKING ENVIRONMENT**
- Primarily works in well-lit & ventilated/heated/cooled clinic. Exam rooms are spacious & well laid-out/supplied.
- 70% client/ 1:1 interaction, 30% desk, meetings, frequent change of position.
- Some travel by car required.
- Minimal physical effort required.
- Regular interaction with HIV positive blood and other hazard materials.
- Workday comprises roughly equal amounts of standing/sitting, with frequent