IDENTIFICATION Department Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Position Title Public Health Nurse Position Number(s) Community Division/Region(s) 67-11063 Fort Smith Health/Fort Smith PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The Public Health Nurse is responsible to provide a comprehensive public health service and health promotion to residents of Fort Smith in accordance with established standards of nursing practice and the philosophy and objectives of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) to protect, restore, and promote health. SCOPE Located in Fort Smith, the public health nurse reports to the Supervisor of Public Health. The position provides culturally sensitive care during approximately 300-400 patient encounters per month and is accountable for providing non-emergency medical care and delivering nursing programs designed to promote community health and wellness. The position provides full public health services to the community and is responsible for primary disease promotion and prevention, communicable disease outbreaks, well client clinics (for all ages), policy and procedure review, and records management. These services are provided within the public health department, community halls, and schools or in a patient's home. The public health nurse works with several cultural groups and serves a population from newborn to the elderly. The Public Health programs operate with a philosophy of prevention and assistance to patients in order to achieve and maintain the highest level of health and independence that is possible for the individual. The duties of the position are carried out in accordance with the scope of the public health nurse practice, the NWT Public Health Act, the policies and procedures of the NTHSSA, and Accreditation Canada Standards and required organizational practices. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 1 of 6
RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Under the direction of the Supervisor of Public Health and in accordance with nursing practices, the public health nurse provides comprehensive community health programs according to the GNWT Health Standards in order to protect, prevent, and reduce the incidence of communicable disease, to promote a healthy lifestyle and to reduce the incidence of disability among all community members. Delivers a wide variety of community health clinics and programs (both prepackaged and requiring development by the incumbent to fit community needs) including but not limited to Well Child/Women/Men clinics, school health programs, health education classes, preschool, vision and hearing screening, developmental screening, diabetes clinics, flu clinics, immunization for child and adult, travel immunizations, communicable disease surveillance (i.e. TB, STI, etc.) control and treatment. Evaluates community health programs on a continuing basis and modifies program as required. Acts as a resource for other community-based health care workers. Promotes safe and healthy environments in homes, schools, day homes, worksites and the community in general. Participates in committees, task forces and research projects as related to the programs. 2. The public health nurse provides direct nursing care and supports transferred medical functions (for example, dispensing pharmaceuticals) to patients requiring treatment using a problem solving approach and in accordance with the standards, guidelines, and scope of professional nursing practice to facilitate individualized nursing care to patients of the public health unit. The public health nurse assesses, plans, implements, documents and evaluates care to ensure a coordinated holistic approach which best meets the needs of the patient. Assess patients to achieve their optimum level of health in situations of normal health, injury, or illness. Advocates the dignity and self-respect of patients. Promotes the autonomy of patients and helps them to express their health needs and values to obtain appropriate information and services. Safeguards the trust of patients that information learned in the context of a professional relationship is shared outside the health care team only with the patient's permission or as legally required. Applies and promotes principles of equity and fairness to assist patients in receiving unbiased treatment and a share of health services and resources proportionate to their needs, Acts in a manner consistent with their professional code of ethics, responsibilities and standards of practice. Makes decisions regarding patient management and facilitates referrals to other health professionals to ensure early diagnosis and prompt intervention in the therapeutic and disease process. The incumbent can do limited diagnosing and treatment, such as TB lab work-up orders and tests, and dispense medications to treat positive STI's. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 2 of 6
3. The public health nurse facilitates, implements, and modifies patient and family education/teaching based on the needs of the patient. Uses a holistic approach to facilitate individual learning of patients and their families in relation to illness or injury (i.e. self-care, health promotion). Assesses the patient for physical and psychological needs, their knowledge of their health, disease processes and learning needs. Facilitates individual learning in relation to patient illness or injury. Researches, develops, revises and evaluates on an ongoing basis educational resources necessary to support patients. Participates in program development for specialty programs and education. Makes group presentations at schools, evening classes, etc. 4. The public health nurse assists the public health supervisor and performs administrative functions such as proposal writing, that contribute to the management of the public health unit in accordance with NTHSSA constraints, policies, procedures and standards, and the guidelines and scope of professional nursing practice. Orders supplies, prepares reports, processes correspondence, etc. Assists the planning, revising program team structure with a focus on continual improvement Provides ongoing evaluation of patients' status and program efficiency. Collects and documents demographic and statistical information. Communicates with other health care team a member regarding a patient's health care to provide continuity of care and promote collaborative efforts directed toward quality patient care. 5. Advocates practice environments that have the organizational and human support systems and the resource allocations necessary for safe, competent, and ethical nursing. Provides coaching and leadership to peers, students, and other members of the health care team to develop skill levels necessary to achieve the standards of care. Collaborates with nursing colleagues and other members of the health care team (including, physicians, OT, SLP, social workers) to advocate health care environments that are conducive to ethical practice and to the health and well-being of patients and others in the setting. Orientation of new employees to the public health department, specific to program and mandate. Participates in committees, task forces and research projects as related to the public health department. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 3 of 6
WORKING CONDITIONS (Working Conditions identify the unusual and unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed and which create hardship for the incumbent.) Physical Demands Home visits require the incumbent to carry supplies and/or equipment up and down stairs as well as into and out of a vehicle. In addition, the incumbent will be required to bend and stand in awkward positions while performing patient assessment or care; also be able to lift greater than fifty pounds. Environmental Conditions During a work day, the incumbent will be exposed to communicable diseases (such as TB, anthrax, etc.), blood and body fluids, hazardous materials (sharps, toxic cleaning and sterilizing solutions) that can result in potential health risk to the incumbent. While performing home visits, may possibly encounter patients and/or family members who are smoking, exposing the public health nurse to second hand smoke. Sensory Demands The incumbent will be required to use the combined senses of touch, sight, smell, and hearing during on-going patient assessment. Mental Demands The environment is dynamic and constantly changing, resulting in continually re-evaluating and shifting priorities. The public health nurse is expected to remain calm, controlled and professional regardless of the situation and to demonstrate care and compassion to the patient, family, and other members of the health care team. In addition, within the health profession there is significant lack of control over the work place, with frequent interruptions that may lead to mental fatigue or stress. The ability to multi-task is a must. As a result of home visits that may occur, the incumbent is exposed potentially violent patients and/or family members who are under the effects of alcohol of drugs. At these times, the emotional state of family members brings uncertainty in knowing what to expect while at work; consequently there is legitimate concern about one' KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The public health nurse must have knowledge of and an ability to apply advanced nursing processes (assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) and current nursing practices (including public health) to ensure that the patient's physical, emotional, psychosocial, spiritual, and educational needs are met. August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 4 of 6
An ability to educate patients and their families on appropriate self-care methods and techniques, Knowledge of biological, physical, and behavioral sciences in order to recognize, interpret and prioritize findings, determine and implement a plan of action based on accepted standards of practice. Knowledge of and an ability to network resources within and outside the NTHSSA in order to ensure support of patients and their families. Proficiency in working with word-processing and spreadsheet software, internet and email in order to complete training materials and presentations. An ability to operate and/or use standard medical equipment (such as stretchers, thermometers, sphygmomanometer, blood glucose meters, sharps, pulse oximeters, etc.). The incumbent must be able to provide training, advice, and assessment using specialized equipment, medications, tools, and techniques. An ability to perform basic lab skills necessary to take and prepare blood specimens, vaginal and urethral swabs, pap smears, naso-pharyngeal specimens, etc. and follow up with abnormal results. An ability to perform pharmacy skills such as dispensing of medications under approved policies. An ability to effectively operate non-medical equipment used during the car of patients that include but are not limited to lifts, wheelchairs, canes, walkers, crutches, etc. The incumbent must be aware of the importance of confidentiality and be able to keep personal and medical information private and confidential at all times. Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by: This level of knowledge is acquired through the successful completion of a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing, and 2 years recent nursing experience in a public health setting. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Fort Smith Regional Requirements Within the Fort Smith Region, Registered Nurses must be registered with the RNNWT/NU. Within the Fort Smith Region, the public health nurse must be able to acquire within a reasonable time frame and remain current with following training and certifications: Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Blood Glucose Monitoring WHMIS Back Care Internet and email applications Fire and Safety Training CPR Level C Valid class 5 driver's license IV certification and IV pump training August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 5 of 6
Obtain PHAC online modules, learning modules through CDA and NWT immunization certification within 6 months of hire. Diabetes Educator Course and Canadian Nursing Association certifications are an asset. Position Security (check one) No criminal records check required Position of Trust criminal records check required Highly sensitive position requires verification of identity and a criminal records check French language (check one) French required French preferred French not required August 1, 2016 GNWT Job Description Page 6 of 6