- Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing
- Eligible for active practicing licensure as a Registered Nurse with applicable regulatory body in the province of Manitoba
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Training as delineated in Prairie Mountain Health Policy PPG-00002 CPR Training
- Three (3) years within the past five (5) years Public Health Nursing experience
- Province of Manitoba Class 5 Drivers License, or equivalent from province of residence, and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within Prairie Mountain Health
- Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology
- Certifications preferred in at least one of the following: Douglas College Breastfeeding Counsellor, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Public Health Agency of Canada’s Skills Enhancement for Public Health module(s), Canadian Community Health Nurses (CHNC(C)), Immunization Competencies Education Program for Health Care Professionals (ICEP)-Canadian Pediatric Society/PHAC/Health Canada, International Society for Travel Medicine (ISTM)
- Understanding of Manitoba’s Public Health Act and the mandated role of the Public Health Nurse
- Demonstrated application of harm reduction principles in nursing practice
- Familiarity with the Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC)-Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)-Core Competencies for Public Health and the CHNC Public Health Nursing Discipline Specific Competencies
- Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to work independently
- Demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills
- Demonstrated flexibility to facilitate changes in techniques and procedures in a changing environment
- Demonstrated knowledge and competence of skills and concepts related to the position
- Demonstrated communication skills
- Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
- Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis
- Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
- Ability to work effectively and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, clients and within interdisciplinary team
POSITION SUMMARY:
The role of the Public Health Nurse is to apply public health science and nursing theory to promote, protect and preserve the health of populations, while demonstrating a commitment to the vision, mission, values and strategic priorities of Prairie Mountain Health. Services may be directed to individuals, families, groups or communities across the life span in a continuous rather than episodic process. Public Health Nurses apply appropriate strategies to prevent injuries, chronic and communicable diseases; address environmental issues; support reproductive/sexual health and promote the health of perinatal women, their partners, infants and families.
Public Health Nurses respect diversity, self-determination, empowerment and community participation. These values are consistent with a population health approach that is rooted in an understanding of the broad determinants of health and the principles of primary health care, community development, and harm reduction. Public Health Nurses strive to improve the health of the population and reduce inequities among populations by addressing determinants of health and promoting equitable health outcomes.
Nurse IVs recognize and fulfill their professional responsibilities by practicing in a manner consistent with professional obligations to take actions as per the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses, The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses, the scope of practice as defined by the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), and other Provincial and Federal legislation.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Overview:
In the context of working with individuals, families, groups and communities, the Public Health Nurse integrates knowledge, skills, judgment and attributes to practice safely and ethically.
Public Health and Nursing Sciences: Applies key knowledge and critical thinking skills related to the public health sciences:
- Applies knowledge about the health status of populations, inequities in health, the determinants of health and illness, social justice, principles of primary health care, strategies for health promotion, disease and injury prevention and health protection, as well as factors that influence delivery and use of health services.
- Applies knowledge about the history, structure and interaction of public health and health care services at local, provincial/territorial, national, and international levels; in particular as it relates to the Public Health Act and the role of public health staff in the context of communicable disease outbreaks and disaster situations.
- Applies public health and nursing sciences to practice by synthesizing knowledge from a broad range of theories, models and frameworks.
- Uses evidence and research to inform health policies, programs and practice by maintaining and applying evidence-informed nursing and public health theory.
- Pursues lifelong learning opportunities in the field of public health as it relates to current public health nursing practice, new and emerging issues and the changing needs of the population.
Assessment & Analysis: Applies skills to assess and analyze information:
- Recognizes when a health concern or issue exists by applying epidemiological principles, knowledge, and management/prevention skills especially with respect to injuries, chronic and communicable diseases, and environmental issues.
- Identifies relevant and appropriate sources of information, including community assets and resources.
- Collects, stores, retrieves and uses accurate and appropriate information about public health issues.
- Assesses the health status and functional competence of individuals, families, groups, communities or populations within the context of their environmental and social supports across the lifespan.
- Analyzes information to determine appropriate implications, issues, gaps and limitations.
- Determines the meaning of information, considering the current ethical, political, scientific, socio-cultural and economic contexts.
- Recommends specific actions based on the analysis of information. This includes encouraging and supporting communities, families and individuals to balance choices with social responsibility to create a healthier future.
Policy & Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation: Plans, implements and evaluates policies, programs and/or practice in public health:
- Describes selected policy and program options to address a specific public health issue as well as the roles and responsibilities of the Public Health Nurse, Public Health Inspector and Medical Officer of Health as it relates to the Public Health Act.
- Describes the implications of each option, especially as they apply to the determinants of health and recommends or decides on a course of action.
- Develops a plan to implement a course of action taking into account relevant evidence, legislation, emergency planning procedures, regulations and policies.
- Implements a policy or program and/or takes appropriate action to address specific public health issues in communities, across communities and across the region.
- Provides care with all client levels using the nursing process: assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation, based on evidence-informed decision-making, including available service delivery standards and practice guidelines.
- Collaborates with and refers to other service providers and experts as needed. Accepts and responds to referrals from service providers and community members and groups who require Public Health support and expertise.
- Conducts individual, family and community assessments.
- Obtains clinical samples (e.g., phlebotomy, urine, bacterial and viral swabbing) in accordance with standards, legislation, clinical practice guidelines and/or delegation of function agreements as appropriate.
- Immunizes, tests (e.g., TST) and provides treatments and medications in accordance with standards, legislation, clinical practice guidelines and/or delegation of function agreements as appropriate.
- Develops therapeutic relationships with clients.
- Evaluates an action, policy or program.
- Sets and follows priorities, and maximizes outcomes based on available resources.
- Develops a plan, implements and evaluates responses to a public health emergency or disaster.
Partnership, Collaboration and Advocacy: Works with others to improve the health and well-being of the public through the pursuit of common goals:
- Identifies and collaborates with partners in addressing public health issues.
- Engages in inter-professional and collaborative practice.
- Builds partnerships, coalitions and networks by using community development approaches and skills such as team building, negotiation, conflict management and group facilitation.
- Mediates between differing interests in the pursuit of health and well-being, and facilitates equitable access to resources.
- Advocates for healthy public policies and services that promote and protect the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
- Involves individuals, families, groups and communities as active partners to identify assets, strengths, and available resources and to take action to address health inequities, needs, deficits and gaps.
Diversity and Inclusiveness: Interacts effectively with diverse individuals, groups and communities:
- Recognizes how the determinants of health influence health and well-being of specific population groups.
- Addresses population diversity when planning, implementing, adapting and evaluating public health services and policies.
- Applies culturally relevant and appropriate approaches with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, sexual minorities, and persons of all ages, genders, health status and abilities.
- Uses harm reduction approaches when appropriate.
Communication: Communicates effectively with individuals, families, groups, communities and colleagues:
- Interprets information for professional, non-professional and community audiences.
- Connects with individuals and communities by using professional and respectful communication skills, appropriate media, community resources, Health Behaviour Change concepts and contributes to social marketing projects.
- Facilitates groups and presentations while applying the principles of child and adult learning.
- Uses current technology to communicate effectively.
Leadership: Provides leadership mainly in primary and secondary prevention health services in a variety of settings:
- Contributes to developing key values and a shared vision in planning and implementing public health programs and policies in the community.
- Contributes proactively to the quality of the work environment by identifying needs, issues and solutions; mobilizes colleagues and actively participates in team and organizational structures and mechanisms.
- Systematically evaluates the availability, acceptability, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of public health practice.
- Uses public health ethics to manage self, others, information and resources and practice in accordance with all relevant standards, legislation and codes of ethics.
- Contributes to maintaining organizational performance standards and a healthy and responsive workplace and organization.
- Builds capacity by sharing knowledge, through participation in professional development and practice development activities, mentoring students, orienting new staff, providing constructive feedback to colleagues, and participating in research and quality assurance initiatives.
Professional Responsibility and Accountability: Builds capacity improves performance and enhances the quality of the working environment:
- Applies the mission, vision, values and priorities of Prairie Mountain Health in practice.
- Demonstrates professionalism in independent practice in multiple settings with multiple stakeholders.
- Completes documentation as per regional and professional standards.
- Completes and submits statistical information, reports and forms according to regional policy.
- Coordinates and facilitates activities of staff (e.g. Families First Home Visitors, Immunization Nurses) and students/volunteers.
- Adheres to established policies and procedures.
- Takes preventive, as well as corrective action individually or in partnership with others to protect individuals from unsafe, incompetent, or unethical circumstances.
- Responsibly uses and maintains equipment and supplies.
- Other duties as assigned.
