Vacancy Status: Please note that this posting is for an existing position
Job Type: Full-time, Contract (until June 30, 2026 with possibility of extension)
PROGRAM DETAILS
WellFort Community Health Services is a key partner in the Black, African, and Caribbean (BAC) Community Health and Wellness Collaborative, which works to advance equitable health outcomes in the Peel Region. This initiative aligns with broader provincial efforts, specifically Ontario Health’s Black Health Plan (BHAP), which focuses on providing culturally safe care and addressing systemic disparities.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Prevention Specialist, is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating Preventive Care Plan aimed at improving the overall health and well-being of the client and the community. This role is part of an integrated care team collaborating with other healthcare professionals, community organizations, providing health education, completed health assessments, preventive care planning, connection to resources, and interventions designed to prevent illness, injury, and promote healthy lifestyles.
While the proportion of time allocated to different functions may vary according to service needs, the Prevention Specialist role encompasses a combination of direct care, health promotion and education, advocacy, community development, program development and evaluation.
ACCOUNTABILITY
- The Prevention Specialist will practice within the full scope of practice as outlined in, but not limited to, the following documents:
1. 1. The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Registered Nurse Practice Standard
2. Nursing Act (1991) and Regulated Health Professions Act (1991)
- The Prevention Specialist will maintain privacy and confidentiality in accordance with the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Professional Code of Ethics and adhere to the policies and procedures of WellFort.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Care:
The Prevention Specialist assists in the delivery of primary care services and promotes healthy lifestyle choices for the residents of the community. The Prevention Specialistic provides holistic care and acts as an entry point into the broader health or social service system including:
- Provide client-centered screening, consultation and assessment by recognizing the social determinants of health and associated health risks (health assessment).
- Develop Prevention Care Plan and refer to internal and external service providers to support clients in meeting their health and wellness goals.
- Adhere to and promote evidence-based practice and standards of care in keeping with WellFort's clinical guidelines.
- Perform clinical tasks by conducting nursing assessments, health education/counselling, history taking, performing specific procedures according to the College of Nurses of Ontario standards of nursing practice and providing follow-up care.
- Participate in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of treatment, education, counselling, and health promotion services for individuals, families, and the community.
Health Promotion and Education:
- Identify trends or issues related to the health status of priority groups and uses the information in planning and advocacy work.
- Actively participates in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion and education and support programs that are relevant and meaningful to the community served by WellFort, at off-site locations, and in collaboration with community partners.
- Provides health information and counselling to individuals and groups through discussion, workshops/presentations, health fair displays, videos and the provision of written materials.
- Acts as a resource to WellFort staff and in partner/community organizations on specific and general issues in primacy health care within registered nursing scope of practice and according to College of Nursing standards.
- Promotes and increase awareness of health promotion activities with clients including immunizations, flu shots, smoking cessation, risk assessment, lifestyle modifications, and assesses readiness for change.
Advocacy and Community Development:
- Advocates for and with clients to reduce barriers to accessing health care and other services in the health centre and the broader community.
- Works with clients, especially those who traditionally experience barriers to access to ensure that they are treated with fairness and dignity.
- Participates in the development and support of public policies and strategies that have a positive influence on the determinants of health.
- Engages with the community to enhance its ability to function independently, to improve or protect the environment, and to support the development of healthy public policy and practice.
- Participates in community projects or WellFort activities to provide education, information or to develop collaborative strategies.
- Work collaboratively with community partners to deliver prevention programs and related initiatives.
Administration:
- Maintain clear, accurate, and timely written electronic documentation including EMR, requisitions, reports, encounters, and other information as required by the health centre, MOH, CNO and other regulatory bodies.
- Contribute to policy/protocol development, in relation to health care service delivery and/or professional practice (includes standardizing the process to create health Prevention Care Plans), establishing referral pathways, developing outcome measures, and ongoing program evaluation.
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of government guidelines, acts and legislation affecting client care.
- Stay current on evidence-based strategies that improve health.
- Supervise, support, or provide education for students from various disciplines with a particular focus on the determinants of health, primary health care and the role of nursing within WellFort.
- Share responsibility for the ordering, maintenance, and proper handling of medications, vaccines, supplies, and equipment.
- Make purchases within allocated budget lines and follows protocol for ordering, tracking, and paying for supplies.
Professional Development:
- Conduct practice and maintain professional competence according to CNO Practice Standards.
- Maintains membership in good standing with the CNO.
- Join relevant professional groups to maintain professional linkages and support (e.g., RNAO).
- Participate in Quality Improvement Programs, chart audits and peer audit process as required.
- Participate in ongoing clinical supervision as per WellFort’s policy.
- Maintains and develops current professional competency through professional development by ongoing learning, medical education, experience and reflective practice.
- Participates in educational activities according to the needs of the centre and personal career goals.
Research:
- Participates in research when opportunities arise.
Other:
- Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.
- Provide care delivery at any of the office sites as program needs dictate.
- Consistent access to a vehicle for responsive care delivery at any care delivery location.
Contribution to team and centre activities:
- Participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary team.s
- Develop and deliver training on health prevention initiatives to WellFort staff.
- Participates in the overall activities of the health centre in-service training, committees, special events, and shared staff responsibilities.
- Communicates clearly, listen actively, be open to feedback, handle conflict appropriately, and display sensitivity to others.
- Collaborates well with others, promotes cooperation and teamwork.
- Participates in WellFort’s commitment to becoming discrimination-free and an inclusive health centre that strives to ensure that programs and services are as accessible as possible.
- Maintains the reputation and confidentiality of the health centre and its clients at all times.
- Endorses models and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.
- Works in a manner that respects and values the diversity of communities and individuals.
- Works in a manner that reflects WellFort’s mission, values, and service delivery approach.
- Adheres to all applicable WellFort policies and procedures.
- Develops and maintain a flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs of the clients, community and the Centre.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 3+ years of relevant experience in community healthcare, health education and program development
- Diploma or degree in nursing from a recognized community college or university. Baccalaureate degree an asset.
OR
- Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario and in good standing.
- Experience working with communities and individuals who face barriers accessing tradition health care institutions such as poverty, discrimination, mental health and substance use issues.
- An understanding of and critical analysis of the determinants of health and social factors, such as power dynamics that affect individual, organizational and community health.
- Excellent written communication and oral skills that meet the needs of the individual and/or community at the appropriate literacy level.
- Experience working with confidential and time sensitive documents and information.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working in a value based non-profit or social services organization.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and interdependently in an interdisciplinary team environment in which the skills and responsibilities of each team member are recognized and respected.
- Demonstrated proficiency in use of computers and various computer software applications, such as Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- Ability to speak languages relevant to the residents of the organization’s community is an asset.
- Valid G license with access to a vehicle.
APPLY
Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to participate in WellFort’s commitment to becoming an inclusive, barrier-free health centre and an ability to work in an interdisciplinary team. We encourage applications from individuals who can identify with the diverse communities we serve and invite these candidates to voluntarily share their relevant identities as part of their application.
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No agencies.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, new WellFort staff must be fully compliant with our Vaccination Policy unless they have received an exemption from vaccination under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Proof of vaccination status will be required before the first day of work or, proof of religious or medical exemption, if or where applicable.
As part of WellFort’s hiring process, we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening and evaluating applications. All final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team.
