Public Health Nurse
Youth Health Nurse - SAERC and Richmond
Education Centre and Academy
Public Health
Community Health
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
YHC Nurse 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 Youth Health Nurse 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.
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Understanding: Conduct assessments and seek understanding on the healthy development of children in the 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.
Youth Health Nurse Dec 2013

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 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 wellbeing of children in the 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 middle years and youth.
Creating Supportive Environments:
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Provide leadership and support for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of healthy school policies, standards and guidelines
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Provide advice and support on the Provincial Health Education Curriculum P-9 , through formal and informal professional development opportunities
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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)
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Collaborate with health and education partners to provide leadership and support for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Health Promoting Schools
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Collaborate with school partners to ensure a safe school physical environment (e.g. air quality, water quality, playground safety)
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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Work with others to deliver the school-based immunization program as per the Nova Scotia Publicly Funded
Immunization Program
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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.
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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.)
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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.)
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.
Youth Health Nurse Dec 2013

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Bachelor degree in Nursing
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Registered or eligible for registration with CRNNS
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Experience in a youth centered environment
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Experience in a community or population health setting
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Experience in the application of public health principles and practices
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Evidence of partnership development
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Understanding of current and emerging issues relevant to youth, health promotion strategies in school and community settings.
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Demonstrated ability to bring passion, innovation and responsiveness to the position
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Competency in immunization.
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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.
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Experience using electronic medical records and other health related data bases
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MHFA, Non Violent Crisis Intervention, CPR
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Public Health Skills Enhancement Modules as assigned.
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Identifies and protects confidential information, and demonstrates good judgement in the handling and referral of client cases.
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Assesses situations objectively, and makes sound decisions related to program operations, and service delivery.
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Communicates openly and honestly, as appropriate.
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Demonstrates initiative in setting and achieving program objectives, identifying personal learning needs, and engaging in self-directed learning.
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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.
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There are no direct reports to this position but is responsible for mentoring staff and students.
Youth Health Nurse Dec 2013

PHYSICAL DEMAND:
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High energy level is required to work with youth in school and community settings.
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School/ office environment. Travel to community sites in GASHA. The Nurse will be expected to work within the accepted policies and practices of the school environment.
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Travel in all seasons / weather conditions.
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Responsible for the safety of youth and others accessing the Youth Health Centre.
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The successful applicant will demonstrate good stewardship in the identification, reporting & mitigation of unsafe
Acts or conditions
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Human Resources Services
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Youth Health Nurse Dec 2013

Youth Health Nurse Dec 2013

Form revised 2010