Public Health Nurse (Nurse IV)

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

JOB INFORMATIONs