Community Health Presribing Nurse Musqueam

About Musqueam

We are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. Today, we are a strong, growing community of over 1,300 members. We live on a small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River. The name Musqueam relates back to the River Plant, the name of the plant is məθkʷəy̓. There is a story that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) - People of the River Plant. We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. We remain distinct and our cultural practices are strong, despite the devastating impacts of residential schools, colonial laws banning our ceremonies, and other attempts to assimilate our people. Our lands and waters continue to support our cultural and economic practices while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws. To learn more about Musqueam, please visit www.musqueam.bc.ca 

Position Summary

  The Prescribing Health Nurse position was created in response to the increasing illicit drug toxicity deaths resulting from BC’s ongoing opioid crisis. The Prescribing Health Nurse is responsible for providing a comprehensive range of nursing functions and services within the Musqueam community. These functions and services fall under the Musqueam Health Department’s Primary Care program and focus on the maintenance of the physical/mental health of individuals, family groups, and community. The Prescribing Nurse will focus on supporting community members who may be struggling with substance use and, when deemed medically appropriate, will prescribe opioid agonist treatments (OAT) to assist in the management of substance use disorder. Though clinical focus will be on addictions care, the Prescribing Nurse will also provide acute primary care services at the Musqueam Primary Care Clinic (MPCC) when necessary. The Prescribing Health Nurse will be supported administratively by the clinic’s Medical Office Assistants and will receive clinical support from the MPCC’s Family Physician and Nurse Practitioner. They will also work alongside Musqueam’s National Native Alcohol & Drug Addiction Program (NNADAP) workers and Mental Health team. This position will function both on site at the MPCC and will also require home visits to patients living in the Musqueam community. This position is full-time on a contract basis of one year with a high level of opportunity to renew. This position is a part of the Primary Care Clinic and reports to the Primary Care Manager.

Duties & Responsibilities

·        Plans, coordinates, and provides medical prescriptions to clients diagnosed with substance use conditions or substance use disorders; prescribe and provide in accordance with the Standards, Limits, and Conditions of the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)

·        Work in the Musqueam community, must assist in community care as team member of the Health Department and Band Administration, work with Community leaders and other healthcare providers

·        Support MPCC with acute primary care (i.e. patient appointments) both in clinic and in community members homes when necessary

·       Maintains excellence in nursing practice through attendance at in-house and external professional meetings, in-services and conferences, and review of professional literature.

·        Other duties as required by the MPCC and Health Department

Job Knowledge

·      Ability to commit to 3-8 days of education for OAT prescribing (VCH), funded by through Musqueam Indian Band. Education includes online training, workbooks, and a clinical preceptorship (either on site at the MPCC or off site at another training facility)

·        Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN) degree, current practicing membership in good standing with the College of Registered Nurses of B.C., and/or eligibility for licensure with the CRNBC.

·        Current CPR/ AED Level C certification and current Immunization certification.

·        Two or more years’ experience working as a registered nurse in addictions medicine and harm reduction with knowledge pertaining to culturally safe healthcare practices, preferably in an Indigenous setting

·        Skill and ability to exercise independent nursing judgment in a community-based environment, work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team

·        Analytical and problem-solving skills and techniques to carry out primary care assessments and substance use support, identify and recommend/develop interventions to address multi-faceted public health problems and provide professional nursing advice.

·        Writing and editing skills to prepare proposals, a variety of nursing and health reports, client assessments, presentation and educational materials and correspondence for a variety of audiences.

·        Verbal and public speaking skills and the ability to present often complex health information in a non-threatening, culturally appropriate and clear manner, in order to provide health information and advice, and deliver educational programs to lay personnel as well as individuals, families and Community-level client groups.

Working Conditions

·        Work is performed in a clinic/clinical space and in residents home environments within the Musqueam community

·        Valid Driver’s License required with access to a vehicle for work purposes

·        Successful Criminal Record Check and Oath of Confidentiality

·        Quarterly meetings with clinical supervisor