Job Description

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI)

is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization, providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework - ensuring equity and access to services for all - and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.


At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see www.avi.org



Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

SAFER

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The V

ictoria SAFER Initiative is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction, safe supply program with health care provider oversight. Its goal is to save and affirm the lives of people who use substances by providing safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the L?k????n peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

JOB SUMMARY:

The SAFER Outreach Nurse will work in partnership with an interdisciplinary team to provide participant-centered healthcare including assessment, screening, and education to support participants who are accessing the SAFER Initiative. The SAFER Outreach Nurse will use a harm reduction, trauma-informed approach and is required to have demonstrated clinical skills and experience to independently assess individuals with complex primary care health needs and active poly-substance use.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide care and support for individuals with high levels of poly-substance use and a variety and complexity of acute and chronic conditions, related but not exclusive to conditions of poverty and criminalization. Support people contemplating or accessing pharmaceutical alternatives to illicit substances in a variety of settings (e.g. parks, drop-in centres, shelters, supported housing, OPS/SCS, etc.) Support participants to maintain ongoing access to pharmaceutical alternatives to illicit substances. Provide assessments, screening, education, referrals, and advocacy regarding substance use, acute and chronic health concerns, mental health, sexual health, wound management, and general wellness, including primary and specialist care, substance use services, diagnostic and laboratory services, and medication management. Provides harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy, education, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and naloxone trainings and distribution. Collaborate with participants and care team to develop and maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with participants in accordance with the care plan. Works closely with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual clients/patients/participants. Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by program physicians. Provide education, information and appropriate referrals that are responsive to the self-identified needs of participants to manage their health, enhance understanding of their health status, and navigate through the various services and community supports related to their care.
Active participation in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Minimum 1-5 years' full scope outreach nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use and mental health challenges. Active registration, or eligibility for registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Previous experience working in supervised consumption services/overdose prevention services, safe supply programs, or other harm reduction programs, including experience responding to medical emergencies such as overdose (naloxone administration, airway management, etc.). Demonstrated practice of the principles of harm reduction, social justice, anti-racism, decolonization and trauma-informed, and experience working with individuals and working alongside coworkers who experience intersecting systemic oppression.*
Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care. Strong knowledge of substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options. Demonstrated ability to create and maintain healthy, strong boundaries with participants. Demonstrated commitment to person-centered healthcare service provision. Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and in stressful situations. Capable, independent practitioner and committed team member. Excellent communication, conflict resolution and crisis management skills. Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License and use of own vehicle for work purposes.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment. Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of primary care, substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health, health promotion, and impact of systemic poverty. Understanding of the impact on individual health and well-being, as well as the considerations for service delivery related to systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, ongoing colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination. Commitment to honour indigenous communities and ways of knowing, and approach learning about the ongoing impacts of colonial violence with humility. Demonstrated commitment to the policy and practice of harm reduction, cultural safety, and trauma and violence informed practices.*
Ability to establish and maintain respectful rapport with participants. Ability to observe and recognize subtle changes in participants. Strong advocacy skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written. Ability to organize and prioritize workload. Ability to use related equipment including computer to complete documentation, data, and reports using Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Practiced conflict resolution and non-violent crisis intervention skills. Ability to work outdoors during all types of weather in all seasons.

POSITION DETAILS:

Pay:

per BCNU pay grid, RN/RPN Level 3 (ranging between $41.42 -$55.91) and LPN Level 1 (ranging between $32.84- $41.35) and all applicable premiums apply.

Location:

SAFER Clinic, Victoria BC and in the community, in public spaces.

Hours and Schedule:

1. 0FTE.This

is a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week. Schedule: Mondays to Fridays: 9:15 am to 5:15 pm. This is a temporary position covering for a leave of absence.

Start and End date:

As soon as possible and ending as of March 6, 2026, or return of incumbent whichever is earlier.*

Union:

AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Nurses' Bargaining Association 2022-2025 and this role is an Included Position.

Benefits:

This position will be eligible for extended health, life and AD&D coverage in compliance with the BCNU Collective Agreement. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.

Pension:

This position will be enrolled in the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) after your first 3 months with AVI. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.

Other Perks:

This position gets 7.69% vacation (equivalent of 20 days), receives 13 paid stat holidays throughout the year and accrues a Sick Bank of 6.92%. Sick and Vacation Days are both available to be used after your first 3 months at AVI. Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.*

TO APPLY:

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume through the portal you are viewing this ad on by July 13, 2025 5pm.

AVI is committed to equity and diversity and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

We would like to thank all those who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.