Position Overview

The role of the Public Health Nurse (PHN) is to apply public health science and nursing theory to promote, protect and preserve the health of populations. Services may be directed to individuals, families, groups or communities across the life span. PHNs apply appropriate strategies to prevent injuries, chronic and communicable diseases (e.g. immunization); address environmental issues; promote reproductive and sexual health; and promote the health of perinatal women, their partners, infants and families. PHNs strive to improve the health of all people and reduce inequities among populations by addressing determinants of health and promote equitable health outcomes. PHNs provide services in communities, across communities and across the region.

PHNs respectfully work in and with diversity including sexual and gender minorities, and across all ethnicities and all cultural, spiritual, political, age, ability, family and economic circumstances. PHNs support self-determination through activities such as pregnancy counselling and by respecting client decisions such as those affecting infant feeding, male circumcision, sexual and reproductive behaviour, and immunization status. PHNs work respectfully with those who are involved in drug using, sexual and other behaviour that may be harmful to them or to others. PHNs promote empowerment and community engagement. These values are consistent with a population health approach that is rooted in an understanding of the broad determinants of health and the principles of primary healthcare, community development, and harm reduction. Practice is strength-based, client-centered and incorporates the strategies of motivating, enabling, advocating, cooperating and collaborating when working with individuals, communities, and colleagues both within the health system and with other sectors.

Under the direction of a team manager, the PHN - Antenatal Home Care (AHC) works collaboratively with the women/families in their care, physicians/obstetrical care providers, programs, sectors and organizations including Winnipeg Integrated Services, to treat and manage high-risk complications of pregnancy and to promote optimal maternal and fetal outcomes. The PHN - AHC assesses and manages the obstetrical care of program clients through initial and ongoing health assessments, coordination of laboratory tests and fetal assessments, monitoring/trending of lab values and consultation/referral with other members of the obstetrical care team. The PHN - AHC actively engages clients in understanding and managing their care through self-monitoring, health education and ongoing support and referral.

The PHN - AHC is responsible for the delivery of program services throughout the Winnipeg health region.

Experience

• Two years of nursing experience required.
• Recent, relevant experience and demonstrated competency in public health, primary care/primary healthcare, population-level health promotion or community development preferred. Relevant experience may include:
  • Applying principles of health promotion, primary prevention, population health, primary healthcare, harm reduction, and community development in public health, primary care/primary healthcare, northern health (that includes primary care/primary healthcare or public health) or infection prevention and control settings.
  • Family and child health.
  • Promoting equity at a population level and community development with populations who experience lower health status (e.g. street-involved persons, lower income, vulnerable families).
  • Communicable disease control.
• Two years of recent (within the last 5 years) high risk obstetrics experience required. High risk obstetrics experience may include acute care experience in labor and delivery or antepartum or Antenatal Home Care Program experience.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Baccalaureate Nursing degree is required.
• In addition, at least one of the following is preferred:
  • Successful completion of a Public Health Agency of Canada’s Skills Enhancement for Public Health Program content module certificate.
  • Canadian Community Health Nurses certification - CCHN(C).
  • Successful completion of a related course at a master level (e.g. epidemiology, community development, community nursing).

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Current College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba Registration (CRNM) required.
• Active participation in professional associations e.g. Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba (ARNM) preferred.
• Possession of a valid Manitoba Class 5 driver’s license required.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training requirements for this position shall be in accordance with the Employer policy.
• International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or successful completion of Douglas College Breastfeeding Counsellor Certificate Program for Community Area positions preferred.
• International Society for Travel Medicine (ISTM) Certification for Travel Health positions preferred.

Qualifications and Skills

• Scope of practice as documented in the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA)/Registered Psychiatric Nurses Act.
• Demonstrated ability to assume a leadership role.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a professional team.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skill, and interest in working with diverse people with a variety of backgrounds, lifestyles, abilities, health status, choices and other attributes.
• Demonstrated competency in working with community residents, community partners and agencies.
• Demonstrated competence in the areas of conflict management, problem-solving, teaching and counselling and organization of activities and workload.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and to apply the principles of adult education.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer software applications.

Physical Requirements

• Physically capable of carrying out clinical skills related to the physical assessment, treatment and management of complications in pregnancy such as Leopold’s maneuver; assessment of vital signs and fetal heart rate, edema, reflexes and other condition-specific symptoms.
• Physically able to push, pull, lift and or carry equipment weighing up to 50lbs. Please note that when dealing with items 50 lbs. of weight ensure proper equipment is used and/or ask for additional assistance to reduce/eliminate risks, where reasonably practicable, when handling large, heavy, or bulky loads.
• Physically capable of providing service in a wide variety of community settings under varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Access to and use of a reliable motor vehicle during working hours suitable for all environmental conditions.
• Acceptable Child Abuse Registry check and Criminal Record check.
• Subject to immunizations and tuberculin testing as per WRHA Policy.