POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE
Youth Health Nurse - Tamarac Education Center
CLASSIFICATION
Public Health Nurse
DEPARTMENT
Public Health
DIVISION
Community Health
POSITION #
MANAGEMENT
NA
BARGAINING UNIT
NSGEU
Reporting Structure
Your Supervisor’s Title: Public Health Manager
His/Her Supervisor’s Title: Director of Public Health and Primary Health Care
Position Summary
Reporting to the Public Health Manager, the Youth Health Nurse (YHN) is responsible for providing public
health leadership, coordination, facilitation, analysis, and action for the health and well-being of children, youth
and families. The incumbent coordinates access and provision of clinical services, counselling and support
within the school and community settings, while paying particular attention to enabling, mediating and
advocating for social, economic and physical environments that support healthy development on a population
basis. S/he works closely with administrators, teachers and guidance counsellors in the school setting, with
primary health care, and other GASHA services and community partners to ensure youth have access to a wide
range of programs and services which promote health. S/he works closely with a school-based Advisory
Committee which provides a forum for youth input and ongoing communications within the school community.
The YHN works within GASHA policies and is guided by the N.S. Public Health Standards and Protocol
expectations. S/he is governed by the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia Standards of Practice and
the Canadian Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses.
Major Responsibilities
Understanding: Conduct assessments and seek understanding on the healthy development of children in the
early and middle years and youth with a focus on addressing healthy growth and development; resiliency and
emotional health; food security and healthy eating; safe places and physical activity; alcohol and drug use;
gambling; injury prevention; communicable disease prevention; sexual health etc.
Priority Setting and Planning: In collaboration with others, conduct situational assessments, identify and
prioritize options, and develop a comprehensive implementation and evaluation plan.
Health Equity: Incorporate consideration of inequalities in assessing, planning, implementation and evaluation
of actions to improve the health of children and youth.
GASHA
Youth Health Nurse – TEC Dec 2014
Partnership: Establish and sustain relationships with a wide range of partners to understand the needs, assets,
build support and collaboratively take action on the health of children in the early and middle years and youth
at home, in school and community.
Policy: Seek to influence the establishment and implementation of healthy public and school policies and the
creation or enhancement of supportive environments at the , provincial and local levels which support the
overall health and well-being of children in the early and middle years and youth, from a social determinants of
health perspective. . Support community based action and engagement to enable and sustain a comprehensive
approach to children in the early and middle years and youth.
Creating Supportive Environments:
 Provide leadership and support for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
healthy school policies, standards and guidelines
 Provide advice and support on the Provincial Health Education Curriculum P-9, through formal and
informal professional development opportunities
 Collaborate with partners in the development of policies and programs that supports oral health for
children in the middle years and youth (in the context of a comprehensive oral health strategy)
 Collaborate with health and education partners to provide leadership and support for the implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of Health Promoting Schools
 Collaborate with school partners to ensure a safe school physical environment (e.g. air quality, water
quality, playground safety)
 Collaborate with school partners to improve and enhance school climate and social environment (e.g.
sense of belonging, connectedness, participation in school life and engagement)
 Collaborate with primary health care and community partners to raise awareness on the need to develop
the skills/capacities/understanding in areas such as stress and anxiety, sexual health, mental illness and
substance use, and influence of marketing on children and youth
 Provide leadership, advocacy and support to engage children in the middle years and youth in informing
the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policy, services and programs for
children in the middle years and youth
 Advocate for children in the middle years and youth engagement as per On Being Youth Centred (part of
the Youth Health Centre Standards and Guidelines) as a tool to help guide individuals and organizations
who work with children in the middle years and youth
Preventative Services
 Work with others to deliver the school-based immunization program as per the Nova Scotia Publicly
Funded Immunization Program
 Provide leadership and support in collaboration with appropriate community partners in the
establishment and provision of Youth Health Centres as per Youth Health Centre Standards and
Guidelines.
 Engage youth and school and community partners in pursuing healthy public policies that impact school
age children and youth (e.g. food, alcohol, tobacco, anti-bullying, gay-straight alliances, etc.)
 Collaborate with partners to develop a coordinated, accessible and seamless system of services, supports
and healthy public policy for children in the middle years and youth (e.g. Schools Plus, youth including
those in school, not in school, youth in care, access to services, youth engagement etc.)
GASHA
Youth Health Nurse – TEC Dec 2014
Additional responsibilities:
o Provides assessment and screening for common health conditions and refers as appropriate.
o Participates in care plans with student(s) and other provider(s) as required.
o Ensures quality standards are met in the Youth Health Centres.
o Acts as Preceptor/Mentor to learners from health and social science disciplines, as required.
o Maintains program records and statistics as defined in the standards.
o Maintains effective working relationships with team colleagues and partners.
o Participates in staff development activities related to Public Health and Youth Health.
o Under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health and the Director, supports urgent action in
response to Public Health issues. For example, in the case of an extensive outbreak or other
exceptional event requiring a Public Health response.
o Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
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Bachelor degree in Nursing
Registered or eligible for registration with CRNNS
Recent relevant acute or primary care nursing experience
Experience in a youth centered environment preferred
Experience in a community or population health setting preferred
Experience in the application of public health principles and practices preferred
Evidence of partnership development
Special Knowledge & Skills
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Understanding of current and emerging issues relevant to youth, health promotion strategies in school
and community settings.
Demonstrated ability to bring passion, innovation and responsiveness to the position
Competency in immunization.
Strong assessment, facilitation, interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
Ability to work effectively with youth health teams, school staff, and staff and volunteers in community
groups and agencies.
Experience using electronic medical records and other health related data bases
MHFA, Non Violent Crisis Intervention, CPR
Public Health Skills Enhancement Modules as assigned.
Judgement & Initiative
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GASHA
Identifies and protects confidential information, and demonstrates good judgement in the handling and
referral of client cases.
Assesses situations objectively and makes sound decisions related to program operations and service
delivery.
Communicates openly and honestly
Demonstrates initiative in setting and achieving program objectives, identifying personal learning needs,
and engaging in self-directed learning.
Youth Health Nurse – TEC Dec 2014
Degree of Responsibility for Decisions on Financial, Human and Material Resources
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May be involved in securing, and overseeing the use of grant funds for special programs. Responsible
for delivering programs in a cost effective manner.
There are no direct reports to this position but is responsible for mentoring staff and students.
Working Environment and Unavoidable Hazards
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High energy level is required to work with youth in school and community settings.
School/ office environment. Travel to community sites in GASHA. The YHN will be expected to work
within the accepted policies and practices of the school environment.
Travel in all seasons / weather conditions.
Safety (client, worker & workplace)
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Responsible for the safety of youth and others accessing the Youth Health Centre.
The successful applicant will demonstrate good stewardship in the identification, reporting & mitigation
of unsafe Acts or conditions
Prepared by:
Date: Dec 2014
Donna Samson
Approved by:
Date: Dec 2014
Sheila Sears
GASHA
Youth Health Nurse – TEC Dec 2014