GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTION

1. IDENTIFICATION
Position No. Job Title Supervisor’s Position
See Appendix A Public Health Assistant See Appendix A

Department Division/Region Community Location

Health See Appendix See Appendix A See Appendix A

Freebalance Coding: See Appendix A

2. PURPOSE
Main reason why the position exists, within what context and what the overall end result is.
The Public Health Assistant (PHA) reports to the Supervisor Health Programs and may receive
clinical and program direction from Public Health Nurses who are the public health team leads in
the community and provide clinical supports and services that assist with implementation of public
health programs for individuals and the community as a whole.

The Public Health Assistant provides local and Inuit knowledge for delivery of public health
programs while assisting with a range of program functions. Public health programs include
Tuberculosis (TB), maternal and child health, reproductive and sexual health, and disease and
injury preventive care. The Assistant supports the public health programming by working
collaboratively with the nurse to assist with screening, assessing, diagnostics, treatment, client
education, and program record keeping. The PHA will also be actively engaged with individual
clients and the community in pursuit of achieving community wellness goals.

The role increases the capacity of public health services, increases the effectiveness of public
health programming and allows for better and culturally- safe care and greater continuity in
provision of public health services in the community. As such, the role contributes to improving
the overall health of Inuit and their communities.

3. SCOPE
Describe the impact the position has on the area in which it works, or if it impacts other departments, the
government as a whole, or the public directly or indirectly. How does the position impact those
groups/individuals, the organization and/or budgets? What is the magnitude of that impact?
The Public Health Assistant works closely with Public Health Nurses to ensure clients receive
safe, appropriate and culturally informed care. The Assistant provides a variety of technical,
clerical and patient care services under the supervision of nurses. The Public Health Assistant
provides clinical supports to the nursing team by gathering patient medical history, taking and
recording vital signs, assisting with lab specimen collection, administering the TB DOT medical
program, and providing public health education to patients and community groups.

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GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTION

This role supports local public health programs by providing nurses with clinical support through
delegated functions within public health programs and is part of local public health team with
PHNs and CHRs. The Assistant supports a range of programs including the clinical functions of
tuberculosis prevention, detection and treatment, maternal and child health clinical programs
(prenatal home visiting, breastfeeding support, assisting with well-child immunization programs,
etc.), sexual health clinics and chronic disease prevention and detection initiatives.

The position contributes directly to reducing TB rates through earlier diagnosis and treatment and
for other diseases and health issues through contact tracing, preventive treatment, collection,
routing and, at times, testing a range of laboratory samples. By being a member of a team of Public
Health staff the incumbent contributes to compliance with territorial standards for communicable
diseases, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, all of which significantly
impact the determinants of population health.

The Public Health Assistant directly impacts territorial residents and Inuit, in particular, by
improving the accessibility and relevance of public health programming, by enhancing the
public’s understanding and perception of services and by acting as a cultural and linguistic
interpreter. The Assistant often is the source of continuity of care in a community when public
health professional services are either transient or in transition.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES
Describe major responsibilities and target accomplishments expected of the position. List the responsibilities
that have the greatest impact on the organization first and describe them in a way that answers why the duties
of the position are being performed. For a supervisory or management position, indicate the subordinate
position(s) through which objectives are accomplished.
Under the day-to–day direction of the Public Health Nurses and the Supervisor Health Programs,
the Public Health Assistant provides clinical and technical duties in support of the eradication TB,
the prevention and management of communicable diseases, and furthering maternal and child
health and sexual and reproductive health. The Assistant acts as a community liaison and provides
client and program related clerical supports.

This will be achieved by:

Participating in the community TB program:
• Administers the Direct Observed Medication Therapy (DOT) program for active and latent
TB in the health centre, schools, and homes in the community;
• Under the supervision of the nurse, administers, observes, records and monitors treatment
completion and support patients through the therapy;
• Prepares medication according to GN policy and nursing direction;
• Conducts symptom inquiries for Tuberculosis, as per GN policy and guidelines;
• Assists with setting up TB screening clinics.

Performing a range of clinical tasks, under the supervision of the nurse, including:
• Prepares patients for examination and clinical rooms for procedures as requested;
• Measures, reports and documents blood pressure, heart rate, weight, body measurements
and temperature;

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• Collects, labels, and prepares lab specimens (for example sputum, urine) and assists with
preparing lab requisitions;
• Assesses visual acuity using the eye chart;
• Assists with Contact Tracing and investigations for communicable diseases (under clinical
supervison by a nurse) to identify possible case contacts;
• Prepares and assists with medication administration under nurse supervision;
• Receives, logs and reports concerns from patients to the nurse;
• Prepares lab specimens for transportation according to Transportation of Dangerous
Goods protocols and delivers or coordinates delivery to the airport;
• Picks up and delivers medications and specimen containers when these services must be
accessed in a community setting;
• Assists with setting up a variety of screening clinics in the health centre and in the
community setting.

Providing local and Inuit knowledge for delivery of public health programs
• Advises on public health policy and procedures to ensure they are culturally informed;
• Provides language and cultural interpretation between patients, the community and
nursing staff;
• Participates in the development of educational materials appropriate to the program.

Participating in activites to build community capacity:

• Provides public health information, services and assistance to patients on individual 1:1
basis and in group settings;
• Works closely with the CHR to deliver group education classes on health promotion,
disease prevention and self management advice;;
• Collaborates with CHRs, dietitians and regional / territorial population health teams on
community public health initiatives and events such as community health fairs and health
promotion activities;
• Conducts community outreach, surveys or distribution of educational materials.

Performing a range of administrative tasks, including:

• Answers phone calls and appropriately redirecting the calls;
• Schedules patient appointments and confirms future appointments;
• Verifies patient demographic, contact and health card information and enters it in
meditech;
• Labels and prepares lab and x-ray requisitions and other clinic forms as requested;
• Works with the schools and other community organizations and health centres to obtain
lists for a screening programs, health records, immunization records as required;
• Files patient specific documents according to GN policy, secures patient information and
maintains patient confidentiality;
• Collects data, maintains and enters information into various data collection systems;
• Assists with orientation with newly hired Public Health Assistants and office orientation
for new Public Health Nurses;
• Maintains medical supplies inventory for the public health office and performs preventive
maintenance (as assigned) to keep medical equipment operating safely;

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GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTION

Participating in a variety of maternal, newborn and well child programs:

• Provides breast feeding supports;
• Arranges and attends prenatal and post-partum visiting programs;
• Provides infant feeding guidance to families based on GN endorsed guidelines, while
incorporating traditional knowledge;
• Incorporates traditional knowledge and practices into the information, education and
support being provided to families accessing pre and postnatal programs;
• Schedules follow up appointments and assists with referrals to community supports;
• Assists in preschool screening clinics and immunization programs.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor Health Programs or Public Health
Nurse.

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Describe the level of knowledge, experience and abilities that are required for satisfactory job performance.
Knowledge identifies the acquired information or concepts that relate to a specific discipline. Skills describe acquired
measurable behaviours and may cover manual aspects required to do a job. Abilities describe natural talents or
developed proficiencies required to do the job.
These requirements are in reference to the job, not the incumbent performing the job.

Contextual Knowledge
• Methods and techniques of office and administrative services including file management;
• Strong numeracy and literacy in order to record, label documents, samples and read test
results;
• Basic understanding of patient care and treatment;
• Applicable legislation, policies and procedures including knowledge of ATIPP and privacy
best practices;
• Inuit culture and societal values.

Skills and Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication skills;
• Sufficient skills and confidence in speaking English and Inuktut to act as a cultural and
language interpreter between Health Centre staff and patients/community members;
• Basic computer skills including word processing and e-mail;
• Data entry skills;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to work in cross-cultural setting;
• Organizational and time management skills;
• Flexibility to adapt to different styles in the nurse /assistant working relationship, the
varying protocols depending upon the nature of the service being provided, and differing
work environments (office, community or home-based);
• Ability to follow directions precisely and accurately for multiple different tests and
procedures is critical;
• Must be willing to participate in training that would be beneficial to position.

The above knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through;

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GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTION

• High school diploma;

• One year of related work experience in an office environment;
• A valid driver’s license;
• Ability to speak and read Inuktut and English is required;
• The ability to communicate in French is an asset;
• An acceptable combination of education and experience may be considered;
• Experience working with Health records, in medical environment or related training is an
asset.

This is a Highly Sensitive Position. Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks are required

6. WORKING CONDITIONS
List the unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed and which create
hardship for the incumbent. Express frequency, duration and intensity of each occurrence in measurable time
(e.g. every day, two or three times a week, 5 hours a day).

Physical Demands

Indicate the nature of physical demands and the frequency and duration of occurrences leading to physical
fatigue or physical stress.
• Lifting boxes of supplies and children – when providing clinical supports (max 10 kg);
• At times repetition of tasks (for example, data entry, collection of samples) over a
lengthy time frame might cause physical strain.

Environmental Conditions

Indicate the nature of adverse environmental conditions to which the jobholder is exposed, and the frequency
and duration of exposures. Include conditions that increase the risk of accident, ill health, or physical
discomfort.
• Frequent moves between indoors and out of doors, throughout the year
• Must be able to drive in inclement weather;
• Must follow standardized safety protocols to minimize the risks of exposure to infectious
diseases, blood and body fluids.

Sensory Demands

Indicate the nature of demands on the jobholder’s senses. These demands can be in the form of making
judgements to discern something through touch, smell, sight, and/or hearing. It may include concentrated
levels of attention to details though one or more of the incumbents’ senses.
• The position is required to have, and to constantly use well developed sensory acuity and
powers of observation to detect subtle mental or physical changes in a client, or
heightened anxiety;

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GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTION

• This position requires intensive concentration on a regular basis in order to understand

clients. This requires listening for verbal cues and observing and interpreting non-verbal
communication in a multicultural context;
• May spend long periods of visual concentration (reading, writing, working at a
computer); and
• Heightened awareness of surroundings and safety factors.

Mental Demands

Indicate conditions within the job that may lead to mental or emotional fatigue that would increase the risk of
such things as tension or anxiety.
• Unpredictability of workloads; may be required to work after hours on occasion-
sometimes for several weeks at a time during an outbreak while, at other times, little
overtime will be required;
• May be exposed to dealing with difficult, irate, abusive or uncooperative clients and
families under stress.
• Function effectively when confronted with unavoidable ongoing exposures to traumatic
events and situations;
• As required, support family members after a critical incident resulting in exposure to
deceased individuals with whom there may have been a professional relationship;
• Due to high rates of suicide, violence and accidents in Nunavut, there is a high
probability of losing clients which may have an emotional impact/affect stress levels;

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GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTION

7. CERTIFICATION

__________________________________________
Employee Signature Supervisor Title

Printed Name Supervisor Signature

Date: Date
I certify that I have read and understand the I certify that this job description is an accurate
responsibilities assigned to this position. description of the responsibilities assigned to the
position.

Deputy Head Signature

Date

I approve the delegation of the responsibilities outlined herein within the context of the attached organizational
structure.

8. ORGANIZATION CHART

Please attach Organizational Chart indicating incumbent’s position, peer positions, subordinate
positions (if any) and supervisor position.

“The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by the incumbent of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of
all responsibilities and activities required of this position”.

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GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTION

9. Appendix A – List of Positions and Corresponding Information

Position Supervisor Community Freebalance Code
10-NEW 10-04790 Arctic Bay 10601-01-2-200-1000000-01
10-NEW 10-04779 Clyde River 10603-01-2-215-1000000-01
10-NEW 10-04785 Kinngait 10602-01-2-210-1000000-01
10-NEW 10-05530 Kugaaruk 10623-01-4-425-1000000-01
10-NEW 10-05547 Sanikiluaq 10619-01-3-265-1000000-01
10-NEW 10-05545 Whale Cove 10620-01-3-330-1000000-01
10-10434 10-04783 Pangnirtung 10609-01-2-250-1000000-01
10-12172 10-04785 Kinngait 10602-01-2-210-1000000-01

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