Seeking Registered Nurses for Quarantine Officer positions

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Candidates who received partially qualified result letters at the NU-CHN-03 group and level in reference to selection process number 21-AHS-HSI-EA-NCR-312725 need not re-apply as management may use pools established from both processes for future opportunities.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has a continuous need to establish a roster of nurses who can support ongoing efforts. You will be asked screening questions as part the application on your skillsets and locations of interest and if you are found qualified may be matched for positions based on the needs in Stream 1 and/or Stream 2.

Please note the current nature of the work for both streams is rotational shifts. Shift schedules will vary based on operational requirements and implemented in accordance with collective agreements/negotiated agreements with unions.

Depending on the position, Public Health Agency of Canada identification clothing will be provided for employment.

In conjunction with applicable law enforcement partners, these roles include compliance and enforcement activities to enforce the Quarantine Act such as issuing tickets.

Are you the right fit for these streams of work?
As a key player of a multi-disciplinary team, you strive in working effectively with others in taking decisive action and are able to manage conflict effectively. You are able to process and analyze information, as well as, provide solutions while being able to respond to urgent demands, tight deadlines and shifting priorities. As you work in an operational environment, you achieve results, you have strong communication skills both written and verbal, as well as, uphold integrity and respect including being respectful of diversity. You are strong at mobilizing people and collaborating with partners and stakeholders, making connections in difficult situations and trusting other’s assessment of a situation. You excel at collaborating with people inside the organization, people that work alongside your team and people that need your support and direction while embracing change.

Duties

• • ►Stream 1: Points of entry and Designated Quarantine Facilities (DQF)
What will you be doing?
• This work must be done on-site at various points of entry across the country – remote work is not a consideration.
• Perform Health assessments of international travelers at various points of entry (airport, land, marine) and make determinations on the public health risk.
• Apply principles and knowledge of the disease process in the management and control of communicable diseases.
• Understand the legislative authority of the Quarantine Act and the Order in Councils
• Apply the principles of prevention, preparedness and response
• Leading stakeholders and partners through a public health response at the point of entry
• Work with colleagues and managers to support effective communication and case management.
• Act as the Public Health Agency of Canada’s representative to network, engage and work collaboratively with partners of a variety of organizations to permit and support effective application of the Quarantine Act and to achieve other Agency goals.
• Work with stakeholders to create change within the travelling public in support of health promotion.

• • ► Stream 2: Central Notification System
What will you be doing?
• Presently, the official location (designated workplace*) of the positons to be staffed is in the National Capital Region (NCR) however on a case-by-case basis, a telework arrangement could be considered from any location in Canada. Therefore, individuals who believe they meet the listed essential qualifications of the position, regardless of where they live or work, are encouraged to apply.
*Designated workplace: location of work or business address where the employee would work if a telework, hoteling or remote working arrangement was not in place.
•Perform telephone health, safety, isolation/quarantine and compliance assessments of people that have travelled internationally, making decisions around next steps based on the risk they pose to public health.
• Apply knowledge and response to diverse infectious diseases in the management and control of communicable diseases that impact the Health of Canadians.
• Work with colleagues and managers to identify gaps in knowledge, build effective communication and provide case management to travelers or groups of travelers that present possible risk, through assessment, teaching, clarification and actions that support compliance.
• Act as the Public Health Agency of Canada’s representative to network, engage and work collaboratively with partners of a variety of organizations to permit and support effective application of the Quarantine Act and to achieve other Agency goals.
• Participate in the creation of work resources, which can include Standard Operating Procedures, job aids, and educational materials.
• Participate in working groups for the purpose of sharing expertise and improving service delivery
• Work with stakeholders to create change within the travelling public in support of health promotion.
• Ensure that all public health literature, notices to the public, posters, alerts, etc. are clearly posted and implemented.

Intent of the process

The Public Health Agency of Canada will periodically pull and review the applications received and contact applicants selected for further assessment based on the needs. The first pull of applications may be as early as July 4, 2022. It is therefore important for candidates to indicate all the locations for which they are interested and registered to work in. Nurses already registered in the province where positions are available will be given first preference to the position. Additional locations, other than those listed above, may be considered based on the needs of the position being staffed. Candidates may be contacted to express interest in the additional locations.

The immediate intent of the inventory is to staff temporary nurses to prepare and respond to COVID-19. This could include casual and term (specified period) appointments. Preference will be given to those able to commit to full-time hours on a rotational basis and shift work.

A pool of qualified candidates may be created and may be used to staff temporary or permanent opportunities within the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Commuting Assistance
When you apply to this process, you will be asked to select which ports of entry you would be able and willing to work at across Canada, which may include rural, remote or isolated areas. Depending on the port of entry, you may be eligible for Commuting Assistance Directive as outlined in the policy: https://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/d2/en,

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
Graduation with a diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in nursing, nursing service administration, nursing education or some other specialty relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Occupational Certification:
Eligibility for registration as a registered nurse in a province or territory of Canada.

Experience:
Experience equivalent to 12 months on a full-time basis* working as a registered nurse in providing nursing services to individuals, groups and families at the community level in order to promote & protect health and prevent illness.
*This experience can be cumulative and obtained through multiple contracts (i.e. casual, part-time) that would equate to full-time status for a period of 12 months.

Experience in performing health assessments and determining the appropriate course of action using professional practice and workplace protocols.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

The following criteria could be deemed as essential or asset, depending on the needs of the position:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in nursing, nursing service administration, nursing education or some other specialty relevant to the position

Note: The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

The following criteria could be deemed as essential or asset, depending on the needs of the position:
Experience in emergency preparedness and response at the community level.
Experience working individually, or as part of a committee, to develop or amend guidelines, procedures and/or policies.
Experience screening individuals as a Designated Officer under the Federal Quarantine Act.
Experience in the enforcement and compliance of acts and/or legislation.
Experience in assessment and analysis (choosing options, planning, implementing and evaluating policies and/or programs in public health).
Experience in surveillance (collecting, collating and analyzing health-related information).
Experience in health promotion (determining effective community action in setting priorities for health, making decisions and implementing strategies).
Experience in health protection (eliminating risks of adverse consequences to health attributable to environmental hazards).
Experience in prevention and control (preventing the occurrence of disease and injury).

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC
English essential
French essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of the principles of communicable diseases and infection prevention and control.

Competencies:
Effective Oral Communication
Effective Written Communication
Demonstrating integrity and respect
Effective Interpersonal Relationships
Adaptability
Judgement
Showing initiative and being action oriented

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Knowledge - Asset:
Knowledge of Federal, Provincial/Territorial, and Local Public Health roles

Operational Requirements (Depending on the position):
Willingness and ability to work overtime as required, on short notice.
Willingness and ability to be on stand-by outside working hours and to be called back to work as needed particularly for working in the evenings, and on weekends (depending on the position, nights are also included).
Willingness and ability to travel for work as needed.
Willing and able to work shifts, on a rotating basis, variable hours and schedules, weekends, and statutory holidays (Shift schedule will vary based on operational requirements and implemented in accordance with collective agreements/negotiated agreements with union)
Willing and able to enforce the Quarantine Act (includes the issuance of tickets).
Willing and able to present yourself in court during and post employment.
Willing and able to wear partial to full protective equipment (e.g., respiratory protection, N95 masks, gloves, gown) in order to maintain infection prevention and control (depending on the position).
Willingness and ability to work in an environment that is physically demanding (working in a standing position, potentially outdoors, and walking frequently) and mentally demanding (managing stress associated with rapidly changing work conditions, repeating public health instructions frequently, calming and reassuring stressed, worried, aggressive or uncooperative travelers).
Willingness and ability to be mobilized for surge capacity for emergency management purposes (including pandemic response) and/or on short notice.
Willingness to work in Northern remote communities (depending on the position).
Willingness to wear PHAC identification clothing and abide by the PHAC Regional Operations Uniform Directive and Standards of Appearance (depending on the position).
Medical clearance (depending on the position).

Conditions of employment

Security: Various - Reliability or Secret (dependent on position being staffed)

Current valid registration as a Registered Nurse and a member in good standing in a province or territory of Canada.

Valid class 5 driver's licence (depending on the position).

Travel to one or more POE (port of entry), as required (depending on the position).

Willing and able to wear partial to full protective equipment (e.g., respiratory protection, N95 masks, gloves, gown) in order to maintain infection prevention and control (depending on the position).

Willing and able to work shifts, on a rotating basis, variable hours and schedules, weekends, and statutory holidays (Shift schedule will vary based on operational requirements and implemented in accordance with collective agreements/negotiated agreements with union)

Willing and able to enforce the Quarantine Act (includes the issuance of tickets)

Must complete the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Quarantine Officer designation training and pass exam, enabling certification within the time allotted in the training program. Successful completion of this training program, of the exams and of the post-training follow-up to maintain the designation are all mandatory steps.

Medical clearance (depending on the position).

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

You are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of your choice (English or French). You are asked to indicate your preferred official language in your application.

Proof of education will be requested if you are considered for a position. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/

COMMUNICATION FOR THIS INVENTORY will be sent by email. Candidates must check their email accounts frequently as there may be new communication regarding this inventory or a deadline for response. Responses provided after the indicated deadline may not be accepted. Candidates must include in their application a valid email address that is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users; some email systems block these types of email. Ensure to check/view your spam folder regularly.

NOTE: Positions located in Yellowknife, Whitehorse and Iqaluit are entitled to an Isolated Post Allowance + Vacation Travel Assistance, as per the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive: https://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/d4/en

Persons with a disability preventing them from applying on-line should contact us at 1-800-645-5605.

Travel status and relocation may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Based on the hiring division’s needs, additional essential qualifications, asset qualifications, organizational needs, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be identified and applied during the assessment and/or selection of candidates

IMPORTANT NOTE: Casual employment is temporary employment of 90 working days or less, in a calendar year.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.