Community Health Nurse

Government of Northwest Territories; Whatì; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Government of Northwest Territories seeks a Community Health Nurse to deliver high-quality health programs at the Whati Health Centre, serving a close-knit community. This role involves providing a wide range of health services, including clinics and emergency care, while ensuring cultural sensitivity in service delivery.

With a strong emphasis on collaboration, the job offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the health of northern residents. Candidates should have a nursing degree, relevant experience, and skills in client education and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Degree in Nursing with registration in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.
• Minimum 2 years of recent nursing experience in emergency, critical care, or northern health settings.
• Completion of Introduction to Advanced Practice (IAP) course or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive community health programs.
• Provide direct nursing care to meet clients’ holistic health needs.
• Facilitate client and family education programs.

Skills

Client education

Cultural sensitivity

Teamwork

Communication

Holistic problem-solving

Education

Degree in Nursing

Tools

Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS)

Job description

The Tlicho Community Services Agency is a unique organization responsible for the delivery of education, health and social services within the Tlicho region. The Tlicho Community Services Agency's vision 'Strong Like Two People' is a metaphor for the desire by community leadership to build an organization, and create programs and services that recognize the strength and importance of two cultures.

Job Information

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the health and wellbeing of a northern community? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative environment where your skills in nursing, community health, and client advocacy can shine? The Tlicho Community Services Agency (TCSA) invites you to join our team at the Whati Health Centre, the primary health facility serving approximately 511 residents of Whati. This role offers a unique opportunity to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive community health programs and emergency care in a supportive, diverse northern environment.

Located in the vibrant and welcoming community of Whatì, you'll have the opportunity to live and work surrounded by stunning northern landscapes, experience Tlicho culture firsthand, and make a real difference in the health and wellbeing of a close-knit population. If you enjoy meaningful work, community connections, and the adventure of northern living, this is the role for you.

The Community Health Nurse (CHN), reporting to the Nurse-in-Charge (NIC), delivers a wide range of community health services, including clinics for children, women, and men, pre- and post-natal care, school health programs, home care, chronic disease support, immunizations, and tracking and treating communicable diseases. This role offers the chance to use your full nursing skills, make independent clinical decisions, and provide emergency care as part of an on-call rotation.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive community health programs, including well-child/woman/man clinics, pre- and post-natal care, school health programs, chronic disease management, immunization, and communicable disease surveillance and treatment.
• Provide direct nursing care using assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation to meet clients’ holistic health needs.
• Facilitate client and family education programs, promoting self-care, health awareness, and wellness practices.
• Advocate for ethical, safe, and competent nursing practice within the Health Centre and the broader community.
• Participate in emergency response, on-call rotations, and coordination of medical transfers, including medevacs, in consultation with the Nurse-in-Charge and regional physicians.
• Collaborate with other health care providers and community organizations to plan, implement, and evaluate health initiatives.

Key Qualifications

• Degree in Nursing with registration in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut.
• Minimum 2 years of recent nursing experience in emergency, critical care, or northern health settings; home care experience is an asset.
• Completion of Introduction to Advanced Practice (IAP) course or equivalent; Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) certification is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of community health principles, emergency care, advanced nursing procedures, and laboratory/radiological assessments.
• Skills in client education, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, communication, and holistic problem‑solving.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certifications required by TCSA, including CPR, WHMIS, standard X‑ray processing, and pharmaceutical procedures.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to communicable diseases, blood, body fluids, and hazardous materials.
• Physical demands may include lifting and supporting patients.
• Travel via small aircraft or winter/ice roads may be required.
• On‑call and emergency response duties may impact personal and family life.
• Occasional risk of verbal or physical assault from patients under the influence or in crisis situations.

Prerequisites

• This level of knowledge is commonly acquired through the successful completion of a Nursing Degree.
• Acquiring 2 years recent nursing experience in an emergency or critical care setting or in a northern health centre.
• The completion of an Introduction to Advanced Practice (IAP) course or its equivalency. Certification in Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) would be an asset.