AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) increases health equity by providing highly responsive, harm reduction -based HIV, hepatitis C, substance use, sexual health, mental health, and other community health services, and is informed by the voices of people with living experience. We envision a community where people can experience optimal health and wellness, and be free from stigma, marginalization, and criminalization. For more information see www.avi.org
SAFER is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Xʷsepsəm nations).
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Nurse Lead or designate, and the Nurse Manager, the SAFER 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 SAFER. The SAFER 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 & 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.
Work both independently (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER team to support people contemplating or accessing prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives to illegal/toxic substances.
Provide care, assessment, 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.
Provide harm reduction support through collaborative risk reduction strategy.
Collaborate with participants and SAFER team to develop and maintain individualized care plans, providing ongoing monitoring and support with participants in accordance with the care plan.
Work with community partners to ensure seamless support of mutual participants.
Provide screening and assessment and administer medications as ordered by program physicians and according to clinical protocols.
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.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, educational forums, and engagement in community building and networking.
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Licensed Practical Nurse registered with the BCCNM regulator.
- Minimum 1 to 5 years’ full scope nursing experience working with people with high levels of poly-substance use and mental health challenges.
- Previous experience working in supervised consumption/overdose prevention services, safer supply or other harm reduction programs.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice principles and practices, including harm reduction, anti-racism, decolonization, combating stigma related to drug use, HIV, hepatitis C, and challenging gendered oppression, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia
- Experience working in solidarity with diverse populations including people who are criminalized for their drug use; people who are denied housing/precariously housed/warehoused; racialized identities; Indigenous persons; LGBTQI2S+ identities; sex workers; people with disabilities.
- Relevant or applicable training/experience in anti-racism and a demonstrated commitment to anti-colonial learning/unlearning.
- Strong analysis of colonialism and intergenerational impacts of historical and ongoing colonization
- Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
- Strong knowledge of typical medical approaches to substance use disorder and opiate agonist treatment options.
- Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of primary care, substance use, harm reduction, HIV, HCV, sexual health, mental health and health promotion.
- Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens.
- Demonstrated commitment to person-centered healthcare service provision.
- Works 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 is an asset but not required for this position.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
- 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 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.
POSITION DETAILS:
- Pay: per BCNU pay grid, LPN Level 1 and all applicable premiums apply.
- Position Type: Regular, Part Time
- Hours and Schedule: Shifts falling between 9:00am to 6:00pm as follows:
Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Week 2: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Week 3: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Week 4: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - Start Date: September 1, 2026
- Location & Departments: This position will be working out of the Victoria SAFER Clinic in Victoria and in the community as needed.
- Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Nurses’ Bargaining Association 2025-2029 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 is eligible to join the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) after 487.5 hours at AVI. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
- BC Transit ProPASS: AVI participates in the BC Transit ProPASS program in Victoria, offering staff a 15% discount on annual transit passes. This brings the cost down to approximately $72.25 per month. It’s a great way to save money and enjoy a stress-free ride to work.
- Other Perks: This position gets 7.69% vacation (equivalent to 20 work days, prorated for part time), receives Stat In Lieu payments of 5% on each paycheque and has a Sick Bank of 6.92%. Sick and Vacation banks are both accessible after your first 487.5 hours with AVI.
- Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.
TO APPLY:
To apply, please click on ‘apply to position’ and submit your Resume and Cover letter( optional). This position will be open until filled
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.
As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
