Public Health Nurse - Best Beginnings - Maple Ridge and Tricities

Public Health Nurse - Best Beginnings - Maple Ridge and Tricities

In accordance with established vision and values of the organization, the Public Health Nurse (PHN), as an integral member of the Public Health Services team, provides nursing services within the framework of the Population Health/Health Promotion Model. Applies knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to health promotion, epidemiology, community development, primary health care, public health ethics, and primary and secondary prevention strategies. Translates knowledge from the health and social sciences to support health-enhancing behaviours to diverse individuals, families, and population groups through universal and targeted interventions, programs, and advocacy.

Plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates health services for individuals, families, groups, and communities in schools, homes, communities, and outreach locations. Responsibilities include immunizing children and adults against vaccine-preventable diseases. Applies epidemiological principles and knowledge of disease processes to investigate and follow up on communicable diseases (including assistance with outbreak management) in accordance with established policies and protocols.

Provides client prenatal/postnatal/family assessments, counseling, consultation, service coordination, follow-up, support, and referral to promote healthy child development, effective parenting practices, and early identification of and intervention for developmental concerns. Collaborates with interdisciplinary/intersectoral teams, provides formal presentations, and educational programs for selected population groups. Provides health information, counseling, and referral related to lifestyle issues, cultural and language barriers, comprehensive school health, reproductive health, chronic disease prevention, and safety/injury prevention via telephone, one-on-one, group, and community contacts in clinical, school, home, community, and outreach settings.

Promotes behavior change to a healthy lifestyle and encourages personal responsibility for health. Applies the community development process to assist community members' involvement in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating activities and services to address identified health needs and strengths; participates in recommending population health promotion and disease/injury prevention services and evaluating existing services. As part of an interdisciplinary/intersectoral team within FH, establishes effective working relationships and partnerships with other professionals, community members, and agencies; informs about positive social and environmental change including quality of life, wellness, and disease and injury prevention; advocates for healthy public policy and services.

Maintains related records; documents observations, interventions, and outcomes; collects statistics; prepares reports as required, and in accordance with established standards and procedures. Contributes to the quality of program and practice by identifying needs, issues, and solutions by actively organizing/participating in interdisciplinary/intersectoral teams, community committees, and organizational strategic planning processes based on determinants of health, best practice literature, current nursing theory, and community assessment. Provides preceptorship and mentorship experiences for nursing students.

Participates in orientation and mentoring to new health professionals and provides feedback as requested on individuals' progress and promotes optimal support for clients. Participates in research studies, surveys, and focus groups as needed for improved service. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Graduation from an approved school of nursing including public health nursing component. Six months recent, relevant Public Health nursing experience or one year's recent nursing experience in Maternal/Infant/Child or successfully meets FH New Grad requirements with successful completion of final practicum/Co-op in Public Health. Valid Class V B.C. Driver's license and have access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes.

Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Public Health Nursing Discipline Specific Competencies. Demonstrated knowledge of epidemiology, family health, health promotion, and community development. Ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate. Ability to organize and problem-solve. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated teaching skills. Ability to deal effectively with individuals, groups, and other professionals within a multi-disciplinary environment in a diverse community. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position. Ability to operate related equipment, including personal computers and related software.