Enhanced Harm Reduction Lpn

The **ENHANCED HARM REDUCTION SERVICE (EHR)** is a new program operating out of our Community Health Centre in Nanaimo. The EHR is a flexible, community‐based, harm reduction program that will provide pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic street drug supply along with wrap around supports. Our services are delivered across the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, and Snaw'naw'as People.

**JOB SUMMARY**
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position will work in the Enhanced Harm Reduction Service centre providing safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. This program operates in conjunction with AVI’s existing programs and services, including primary care and substance use services, the Positive Wellness Program for people living with or at risk of HIV/hepatitis C, health promotion education, youth advocacy and outreach, and drop-in harm reduction services.

The LPN will work in partnership with an interdisciplinary team to provide person centered healthcare including assessment, screening, and education to support clients who are accessing the program. The LPN will use a harm reduction, trauma informed approach and clinical skills to independently assess individuals with complex primary care health needs and active poly-substance use. This position requires a professional who is experienced with harm reduction and requires a commitment to collaboration with multiple stakeholders including, first and foremost, people with lived/living experience of criminalized drug use.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Provide care and support for individuals with high levels of poly-substance use and a variety and complexity of acute and chronic conditions, related but not exclusive to conditions of poverty and criminalization.
- Work both independently and collaboratively with team to support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illegal/toxic substances in a variety of settings, such as parks, drop-in centers, shelters, supported housing units, OPS/SCS, etc.
- Provide care, assessment, screening, education, referrals, and advocacy regarding substance use, acute and chronic health concerns, mental health, sexual health, wound management, and general wellness, including primary and specialist care, substance use services, diagnostic and laboratory services, and medication management.
- Provide harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy, education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and overdose prevention education including Naloxone training and distribution.
- Collaborate with participants and the team to develop and maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with participants in accordance with their specific care plans.
- Provide 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.
- Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by program physicians.
- Work with community partners to ensure seamless support of program participants.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Licensed Practical Nurse designation from an accredited institution and current full registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives.
- Minimum 2-3 years of nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use and mental health challenges.
- Previous experience working in supervised consumption/overdose prevention services or safer supply programs, including experience responding to medical emergencies such as overdose (naloxone administration, airway management, etc).
- Strong knowledge of substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
- Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti-racism, decolonization and trauma-informed care.
- Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
- Commitment to harm reduction principles and practice, with experience working alongside coworkers and program participants who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
- Commitment to honoring Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, while approaching learning about the ongoing impacts of colonial violence with humility.
- Understanding of how systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination impact individual health and well-being, as well as service delivery provision.
- Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of primary care, substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health and health promotion.
- Demonstrated