Job Title: Prescribed Safer Supply Licensed Practical Nurse
City: Kamloops
Program and Site Location: Variety of locations
Reports To: Prescribed Safer Supply Coordinator
Term Permanent Full-Time (30 hours a week with casual/on-call opportunities)
Position Two: Thursday to Sunday 8:30am to 4:30pm with ½ hour paid break
Wage Range: $29.27 to $35.06 Commensurate with experience.
The ASK Wellness Society is an Accredited not-for-profit organization. Through the generous support of funders, we assist those who are marginalized and at-risk to strengthen the communities we serve (Kamloops, Merritt and Penticton). We provide housing and support to those who are facing homelessness/at risk of homelessness and support those who may use substances, mental health challenges, harm reduction, health education and ultimately provide the skills to re-enter the workforce.
What We Offer:
- Competitive benefits including but not limited to dental, vision, physiotherapy, massage, and fertility upon eligibility
- Municipal Pension Plan upon eligibility
- On-site training and development opportunities such as Violence Prevention, Cultural Awareness and 2SLGBTQ+ training
- A culture of equality, inclusion, and diversity including paid cultural sensitivity days
- Accidental death insurance and Wellness plan benefit
- Vacation entitlements for Part-Time and Full-Time employees
Effective November 1, 2021, the Society requires all employees to be fully vaccinated (as defined by Health Canada). Full vaccination will be required before commencing employment with the Society unless a legal exemption is obtained.
Purpose and Function: As the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you will work in collaboration with Interior Health, the Ministry of Health (MOH), Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) and the Outreach Team to initiate and deliver the Prescribed Safer Supply Program, T-iOAT (Tablet injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment), and other OAT services such as Suboxone, Sublocade, Methadone, and Kadian. Prescribed OAT alternative medication is a program for people living with opioid use disorders who have not had success with traditional treatment. Service delivery is based on a client-centred, non-judgmental perspective.
Clients will be assessed by a physician and if eligible, will be prescribed one of the OAT alternative medications. All doses are witnessed consumption. The LPN operates in accordance with the competency guidelines and practices within the Standards of Practice as outlined by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia (BCCNM).
Specific Responsibilities.
- Provide harm reduction education and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to substance use and those who are at high risk for Communicable Diseases in an effort to prevent and control communicable infections and diseases.
- Engage individuals in addiction treatment or Medicated assisted housing programs who have been otherwise unable to access other forms of treatment.
- Prevent diversion of medication and manage attempts at diversion which may include suspension from the program to a less intensive method of treatment.
- Provide pre-Intake Assessment to ensure the patient is not intoxicated or in any other contraindicated acute clinical condition.
- Provide ongoing continuity of care between the pharmacy, prescriber, coordinator and the clinical lead to ensure that any emerging care issues outside the scope of practice for LPNs (e.g., wound care) can be quickly referred to the prescribing physician for follow-up.
- Clean and dress wounds and assist with other basic medical care tasks.
- Provide emotional and psychological support when needed.
- Help to develop and potentially provide future clinical opioid substitution programs.
- Assist and encourage clients to create connections within the community by volunteering and finding employment.
- Help maintain a clean and organized workspace by doing light housekeeping in the office space.
- Monitor and move along community members who are loitering in and around the property.
- Provide crisis intervention as required including overdose responses by ensuring immediate access to medical services and completing necessary incident reports when required.
- Ensure Limitation of Service Notices are completed and current.
- Other duties which may or may not be listed within this job description.
- Ensure compliance with all ASK supportive standards, policies, and procedures.
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Maintain complete documentation, statistics, and records in files and on Oscar EMR
- Assist team with required verbal and written reports, case notes, letters, memoranda, and year-end reports.
- Maintain files and statistics as per accreditation standards.
- When requested, be a member of the Society’s Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) team.
- Ensure compliance with all Society policies and procedures.
- Other duties which may or may not be outlined within this job description.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Successful completion of a recognized program for Licenced Practical Nurses.
- Current full practicing licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (BCCNM).
- Comfortable around Clients in active substance use including injection of substances.
- Strong ability to recognize and address difficult behaviors.
- Good communication, documentation, interpersonal and conflict management skills.
- Ability to work within a team-based environment involving multi-agency supports.
- Strong working knowledge of community resources.
- Understands and maintains professional boundaries.
- Valid driver’s license, safe driving record and reliable/appropriate transportation with business use coverage.
- VAT (Vulnerability Assessment Tool) training an asset.
- Must pass an acceptable criminal record check for the vulnerable sector.
- Occupational First Aid Level 1 required.
- Readiness to complete in-house online training within the first month of employment.
- Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, and Trauma Informed Practice an asset.
- As Program Participants are allowed to have pets, it is noted that this is a pet friendly environment.
How to apply: Please apply directly at https://ask-wellness-society-portal.scouterecruit.net/jobs/ASK49
The ASK Wellness Society offers assistance from an Employment Advisor.
If you self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) and/or would like assistance with the application process, job readiness, interview readiness or tips for resume and cover letter writing, we encourage you to contact us, and you will be redirected to our Employment Advisor.
The ASK Wellness Society is dedicated to promoting diversity/multiculturalism with inclusion as one of our Core Values. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.
