Communicable Disease Nurse Coordinator

City/Town: Saskatoon

Type: Full-time Temporary

FTE: 1

Salary or Pay Band: As per Terms and Conditions of Employment

Job Description: This position will support the development and implementation of Opioid Agnostic Therapy (OAT), as well as Education and Clinician Support for STC Communities.

• Gather data to identify gaps in accessing primary care services and Opioid Agnostic Therapy (OAT) and implement processes to address the gaps identified
• Assist in data collection and analyzing trends and emerging health threats affecting First Nation communities as it relates to communicable disease
• Surveillance & Data Management, collaborate with community health staff to maintain accurate communicable disease surveillance systems
• Develop standard operating procedures, program manuals and coordination of services between multi-level stakeholders and service providers
• Develop a health team in each of the communities that will support the development and implementation of Opioid Agnostic Therapy (OAT)
• Coordinate patient care with health team of Communicable Disease Out Reach RNs; Community Health Nurses, Mental Health and Addictions and Primary Care providers in each of the communities
• Support First Nations communities in developing community-driven communicable disease programs. Offer support in implementing culturally responsive communicable disease education and awareness programs
• Provide guidance and education on policy development and implementation related to communicable disease management ensuring policies are in alignment with federal and provincial public health guidelines in each community while advocating for flexibility to meet community needs
• Provide nursing guidance and support to community health nurses and frontline health staff in the prevention, management, and surveillance of communicable diseases
• Build capacity and organize education utilizing internal and external resources expert to topic (Opioid Agnostic Therapy; Addiction Treatments, Mental Health, Referral processes to Acute Mental Health and Addiction Treatments; Infection Protection; Communicable Disease and Immunization Protocols and Processes)
• Advocate for culturally appropriate, community-led approaches to that deal with risk factors that lead to communicable disease outbreaks
• Participate in regional and national discussions on communicable disease trends and policies affecting First Nations populations, as required
• Partnerships and collaboration; work in partnership with First Nations health teams, Tribal Councils, NITHA, SHA, ISC, and other stakeholders to enhance communicable disease response and prevention strategies
• Support case and contact tracing, outbreak investigations, and control measures in collaboration with First Nations health teams and external partners
• Immunization program coordination in collaboration with the Community Health Manager, this role will support communities in planning, implementing, and monitoring routine and outbreak-specific immunization programs
• Ensure timely reporting to relevant health authorities and leadership
• Emergency preparedness and outbreak response; work with community health teams to develop and implement outbreak response plans, as well as provide real-time support during public health emergencies. Liaise with federal, provincial, and First Nations health partners to coordinate a rapid, culturally appropriate response
• Perform other related duties as defined and assigned by the reporting Manager or designate on an as and when required basis

Travel Required: Yes

Human Resources Exemption: No

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Nursing
• Registration with the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of community health nursing experience
• Experience working within a governance structure in a community development capacity with First Nations; familiarity with First Nations culture, and history is considered an asset.

Licenses

• Valid Class 5 driver's license

Other Education and Training

• Undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Licensed, and in good standing, with regulatory body, if applicable

Competencies

• Problem solving skills
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Analytical and critical thinking skills
• Strong leadership and team coordination
• Cultural competence and familiarity with First Nations health systems
• Stakeholder collaboration and public health expertise
• Program development and policy implementation
• Emergency preparedness and outbreak response

Knowledge and Abilities

• Manage multiple priorities independently while working in a team
• Dependability: able to work independently, submit accurate documentation, and seek guidance when needed
• Receptive: accept feedback, take ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Integrity: keep sensitive information confidential and adheres to STC's policies
• Initiative: seeks opportunities for further development
• Work effectively in First Nations communities with cultural competence. First Nations health systems, cultural safety, and social determinants of health
• Knowledge of Communicable disease prevention, control, and surveillance principles
• Immunization protocols, vaccine storage, and cold chain management
• Infection prevention and control (IPAC) best practices
• Public health emergency preparedness and outbreak response
• Program development, coordination, and policy implementation
• Data collection, analysis, and disease surveillance
• Health promotion, training, and education for frontline staff and communities
• Lead outbreak investigations and emergency response efforts
• Use electronic health records and public health databases

Other Information

• Must provide a current, original, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CCRC) with vulnerable sector search as a condition of employment
• Travel to rural First Nations communities is required
• For more information about the Saskatoon Tribal Council, please visit www.sktc.sk.ca
• No telephone calls please, STC appreciates the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.