Background

Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) is a group of approximately 200 physicians, nurses and administrative staff with a vision of a 'healthy end to homelessness' and committed to improving the health and well-being of the homeless and precariously housed communities of Toronto. ICHA staff work in shelters, drop-ins, community service agencies, encampments, and clinical hub sites. Beyond direct care provision, ICHA trains future healthcare providers, conducts and facilitates research, promotes improvements in health and social service delivery, and advocates for healthy public policies and system changes locally, provincially, and nationally. ICHA continues to make significant contributions to the redesign of our local system of health care for people experiencing homelessness, including those with complex support needs. We aim to ensure that our clients can have meaningful and effective access to the highest quality health care possible. For more information about what we do, visit our website at: http://www.icha-toronto.ca.

Job Details

Programs: PRIME (Primary care & Population Health Integrated Mobile Engagement)
Hourly: $33.95 - $36.07 (RPN), $40.31 - $42.44 (RN)
Position Type: Full-Time, Contract (Contract end date: September 2027)
Region: East, Midwest, North and Downtown

Role Description

In the PRIME (Primary care & Population Health Integrated Mobile Engagement) program, the Registered Nurses/Registered Practical Nurses (RN/RPN) work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to provide mobile clinical care to individuals experiencing homelessness using a holistic, client-centered model of care. Nurses will use their knowledge, skill and judgement to treat clients who may present with complex Primary health conditions, mental illness and substance use concerns.

In the palliative/PEACH (Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless) program, the RN/RPN provides palliative support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses who are unhoused/precariously housed in Toronto. The program functions as a partnership between ICHA, Toronto Central Ontario Health at Home, and Kensington Health. For the PEACH program, the Palliative And Outreach Float Nurse works in collaboration with the PEACH Virtual Nurse Coordinator (VNC) and Clinical Nurse Coordinator (CNC) to provide virtual and in-person clinical support to PEACH clients.

Roles and Responsibilities

Primary Care (PRIME) Roles and Responsibilities:





- Accepts referrals from ICHA shelters and conducts comprehensive in-person health assessments of individuals experiencing homelessness, in collaboration with the ICHA physician and/or nurse practitioner (MP).
- Assesses and manages episodic and chronic conditions commonly seen in primary health care.
- Administers vaccines and medications in consultation with NP, ICHA physician, Nurse Educator and Nursing Supervisor.
- Assesses the need for orders for prescriptions, laboratory and diagnostic tests and collaborates with the NP/ICHA physician.
- Liaise with and organize appointments with virtual NP/MD for referral to specialists, hospital and/or community health navigation.
- Keeps complete and accurate records of client interventions and care through timely documentation in the ICHA Medical record (EMR, OSCAR) as per CNO documentation standards.
- Perform other nursing duties as required by the Nursing Clinical Team Supervisor and/or the Director of Nursing and Clinical Services.

Palliative Care (PEACH) Roles and Responsibilities:

- Support the VNC with various care coordination tasks such as; processing PEACH referrals by triaging for eligibility and urgency, reviewing PEACH services with client/caregivers, scheduling client appointments and communicating with the circle of care.
- Provide comprehensive virtual and in-person nursing assessments and interventions for PEACH clients in a variety of settings, addressing both urgent and non-urgent situations.
- Work with unregulated care providers (UCP) within a palliative care setting, including teaching, supervising, or assigning activities or procedures.
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and external healthcare providers to develop and manage comprehensive nursing care plans and interventions in close collaboration with PEACH physicians and affiliated partners.
- Assist the PEACH clinical team by collaborating with health care and community providers to minimize barriers to care and track clients through transitions in care.
- Provide additional PEACH vacation coverage for PEACH VNC and CNC,



as needed.
- Actively participate in PEACH team meetings and quality improvement initiatives, as schedule allows.

Qualifications

- Current registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario in good standing with no restrictions to practice.
- Evidence of liability protection/malpractice insurance.
- Current CPR certification - Basic Life Support (BLS).
- Minimum of 2-3 years nursing experience in RN/RPN role in primary health care. Experience in Palliative homeless care is considered an asset.
- Willingness to work from a harm-reduction, anti-oppression, and trauma-informed framework; experience working with homeless or marginalized service users is preferred.
- Able to work independently in a non-typical community-based primary care setting (i.e. homeless shelters, supportive housing and improvised hotel clinic) with remote ICHA physician/NP support as needed.
- Knowledge of relevant community services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Demonstrated thorough knowledge and understanding of infection control and prevention practices.
- Experience working with clients who use substances and need primary or palliative care, and who have responsible and persistent mental illness with unpredictable presentations.
- Open-minded and non-judgmental, with knowledge of and commitment to client–centered philosophy, while upholding the rights and dignity of all people and respecting their diversity.
- Demonstrated commitment to community-based health care.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work in a collaborative and calm manner.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills that include computer literacy and ability to work with EMR (OSCAR).
- Police check/clearance documentation (i.e. vulnerable sector screen) required.

Inner City Health Associates encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of our community.

Inner City Health Associates is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.

Pay: $33.95-$42.44 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Palliative And Outreach Float Nurse (Canada)
🏢 Inner City Health Associates
📍 Canada