Summary
The Nurse-In-Charge (NIC) coordinates, oversees and implements a comprehensive health services program aimed at promoting health and reducing mortality, morbidity, and disability in Wunnumin Lake, Wapekeka, and Kingfisher Lake. The NIC is responsible for the delivery of Health Canada’s mandated programs: the Primary Care program including clinical and client care, and Public Health Protection programs including communicable disease control and management. This position provides training and supervision to nursing staff and supervises the support staff positions of CHR, Referral and File Clerks, and the Janitor and Housekeeper. The NIC works on a rotating schedule which is determined at contract signing and shares the on-call work with the other nurses. The Nurse-In-Charge reports to the Health Director for administrative purposes and to the Shibogama Nursing Programs Manager for clinical and nursing related issues.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversees the day-to-day operations of a comprehensive health services program aimed at promoting health and reducing mortality, morbidity, and disability in Wunnumin Lake, Wapekeka, and Kingfisher Lake.
a) Works in a team with community nurses and Nursing Station support staff to provide a comprehensive health service for community members.
b) Implements Health Canada’s mandated program priorities and ensures that programming is culturally appropriate and holistic, aligned with community health plan objectives, and effectively meets client needs. Keeps community members informed about Nursing Station programs and priorities.
c) Ensures the provision of an immunization program for babies, pre-school children and school-aged children based on provincial schedules.
d) Ensures the provision of regular prenatal, post-natal, newborn care and well baby clinics. Provides consultations and information sessions for parents of newborns and toddlers.
e) Ensures the provision of comprehensive health care to preschool children including but not limited to: the early identification of children at risk for developmental delays and learning disabilities; the early identification and support of children suspected of having FASD; and the early identification of preschool children with vision, hearing or speech delays or disorders.
f) Works with the Health Director to coordinate a School Health program including the promotion of good hygiene, healthy behaviors and the reduction of the prevalence of dental disease.
g) Works with health staff to provide care and promote wellness among the community’s youth and adolescents.
h) Ensures the provision of care for adults, elders and people with chronic illnesses, e.g. Well-Woman and Well-Man clinics, Chronic Disease clinics, home visits where appropriate.
i) Ensures Health Canada procedures and policies for communicable diseases are followed, monthly HIS statistics submitted, and reportable disease forms completed when required.
j) Oversees a program to address blood borne diseases and sexually transmitted infections.
k) Ensures the provision of flu shot clinics for community members.
l) Ensures the provision of emergency health care services to community members and supports community-based emergency services.
m) Keeps up-to-date patient records and a chronic disease client database. Conducts periodic chart audits when requested by Health Director or Nursing Programs Manager.
n) Stays abreast of health-related trends and developments in the community.
o) Prepares presentations and educational sessions related to health and safety for community members when time permits.
2. Oversees administrative aspects of the Nursing Station and health care programs.
a) Evaluates health programs from time to time to ensure effectiveness. Analyzes successes and areas of opportunity and communicates these to Health Director.
b) Ensures that the facilities and equipment are in good condition and that the required security protocols are enforced. Consults with Health Director and Shibogama Nursing Programs Manager on necessary Nursing Station equipment repairs.
c) Completes incident reports and updates the Health Director of safety hazards in the Nursing Station or property, follows safety rules and procedures, determines the cause of any accident and takes appropriate corrective measures.
d) Manages the Nursing Station medications: conducts regular inventories of medications to ensure the Nursing Station is adequately stocked and medications are safely stored, dispensed, and tracked as per guidelines.
e) Monitors narcotics and controlled substances in the Nursing Station – performs weekly audits and keeps accurate records.
f) Places orders to restock medications weekly.
g) Organizes patient schedules for visiting professionals (community physicians, foot care specialists, other health care specialists, etc).
h) Prepares monthly statistics for Health Director and Shibogama Nursing Programs Manager and completes required Health Canada/ ISC forms.
i) Adheres to the community Oath of Confidentiality and to the College of Nurses of Ontario guidelines regarding client Confidentiality.
3. Supervises a team of nursing and support staff in collaboration with the Health Director.
a) Provides ongoing supervision and guidance to nursing and support staff ensuring that a high quality of service delivery is maintained.
b) Orients new nursing staff; maintains a team approach to nursing duties and responsibilities, including seeing patients when staffing/workload dictates. Patient care is the top priority.
c) Conducts annual written performance evaluations of nursing staff in collaboration with the Nursing Programs Manager and discusses results and recommendations with the Health Director.
d) Participates in personal performance evaluations conducted by the Shibogama Nursing Programs Manager and Health Director.
e) Orients, trains, supervises and directs support staff that fall under NIC responsibility. Refers disciplinary action to the Health Director when needed. Works with Health Director to ensure Nursing Station staff under NIC direction receive annual performance evaluations.
f) Meets regularly with Health Director, maintains good system of communication regarding health programs, support staff and services. Attends support staff meetings facilitated by Health Director by invitation.
g) Keeps support staff updated on Nursing Station administrative matters, e.g. related to the maintenance, upkeep and safety of facilities, etc.
h) Initiates a regular information exchange with nurses and support staff as appropriate regarding policies and procedures to standardize processes and procedures, to improve the quality of care provided, etc.
i) Identifies staff training needs and makes related recommendations to the Health Director.
4. Networks and maintains relationships with community leaders, medical professionals, agencies and volunteer organizations in the community.
a) Maintains positive working relationships with the community physician and other visiting medical professionals, community leaders, local volunteer organizations (Crisis Team, First Response Team, etc), the Health Director and Shibogama Nursing Programs Manager, etc.
b) Consults with and/or makes referrals to medical and other resource professionals as appropriate.
c) Liaises with supervisors and coordinators of local programs and services to ensure effective coordination, e.g. Home and Community Care, PDA program, Resource Team, First Responders, etc.
d) Consults and collaborates with community health workers and outside health care professionals regarding clients, programs and related matters.
e) Promotes a harmonious working relationship among staff.
5. Professional development.
a) Participates in training and other professional development initiatives to ensure nursing skills remain current.
a) Maintains up to date certifications required for all community nursing staff by Shibogama Health Authority and Wunnumin Lake, Wapekeka, and Kingfisher Lake Health Authority.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
A Registered Nurse (RN) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario and membership in the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)
Minimum 2 years experience delivering community-based programs or equivalent
Strong clinical skills and knowledge in Health Canada’s mandated health care program areas
Good professional judgment
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) or Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC); Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR - Health Care Provider); Emergency Nurse Paediatric Care (ENPC) or Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); Immunization Certification; Controlled Substances certification as a minimum
2 years nursing supervisory experience an asset
Demonstrated ability to use standard Nursing Station medical equipment and conduct standard laboratory tests
Broad knowledge of the services provided by Shibogama First Nations Council; must be familiar with health-related trends in the area and be able to translate that familiarity into social action to benefit local health programs
Good knowledge of the programs, regulations, and procedures of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada
Excellent leadership, management, motivation and problem-solving skills
Excellent organization and planning skills
Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture and values, and of the geographical and health care challenges of First Nations in the Sioux Lookout district
Strong skills and abilities in the areas of program planning, coordination, operation and evaluation
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; fluency in Oji-Cree is an asset
Ability to manage time and workload effectively, and successfully adapt to changes in workload and work environment
Willing to participate in ongoing training and other professional development, and views learning as an integral part of the role.
Proficient in using Microsoft Office and e-mail
Ability to work flexible hours
Willingness and ability to travel
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50.90-$65.23 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
