Since June 2020, Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) has offered health care to residents of Renfrew-Collingwood through RISE Community Health Centre. Using a team-based approach that recognizes the social determinants of health, RISE operates a primary care clinic and not-for-profit pharmacy. Additional services include harm reduction, community development and health promotion.
We share some highlights from staff about their experiences working with RISE and what makes it different from traditional healthcare providers.
Meet Philippa, RISE family nurse practitioner
For over two years, Philippa Lentz has worked with RISE Community Health Centre as a family nurse practitioner. Graduating shortly before starting at RISE, they were immediately drawn to the unique health care model and work environment that RISE offers.
“RISE is actually my first job as a nurse practitioner,” explained Philippa. “I already knew a bunch of people who worked here just from being in community with cool healthcare providers in Vancouver.”
“I had a really good idea of the way that the team approaches care, and so I didn’t apply anywhere else, I actually just came straight here.”
Tell us about your experience over the last 2+ years.
“I stayed. I haven’t worked anywhere else as a nurse practitioner, so I don’t have the comparative experience but it has been fantastic. It is a really wonderful place to work as a new grad. So, you know, for anyone who’s a nurse practitioner, they hired me as a provisional before I even got my OSCE, and were really supportive in mentoring me. The whole team just kind of took me under their wing. So if anyone’s looking for a first job as a nurse practitioner, it’s a great place to be.”
What else makes it a great place to be?
“The number one thing I would say is, I’m sure other people have said this, but being part of a team is really wonderful, and, as a provider, it makes so many things easier.
“Currently, I’m about to leave on parental leave, and I’m just working with my replacement right now. It’s really great showing another person what we can do as a team. For example, I’m helping somebody right now with weaning off of their anti-anxiety medication and they’re having a bit of a hard time. I was able to immediately talk to the counselling team about them and get them an emergency check-in within two days for free, and then I was able to use the nursing team to schedule a bunch of check-ins.
“There’s not anywhere else that I can think of that you have such a well-integrated team, where you have so many services at your fingertips. And I trust all of my co-workers. They’re pretty careful when they’re hiring, having like-minded people, and I don’t know how to say that better, but there’s no one on the team that I don’t trust with my patients.”
So, who would be a good fit to work at RISE?
“I think anyone, I mean, truly. There’s a lot of diversity in the types of people who work here and the types of professions that work here. But I think that anyone who is looking for a place where they can slow down a little bit and provide excellent wraparound care. And for anyone who is discouraged with how hard it is to do that in a lot of places, I would say, give it a try. I have felt so well-supported in my ability to provide the type of care that I want to. If you’re interested in working with a bunch of different populations, elderly folks, lots of queer clients, people with no MSP, those types of things, then come join our team.”
Can you elaborate on the benefits of wraparound services and having support from other staff?
“It’s so helpful. When you have such a great group of people with different scopes of practice, everyone can work at the top of their scope.”
Anything else people should know?
“I would honestly say give it a try. I don’t know what else to say. It’s really lovely here. It’s a really friendly environment.
“If you are feeling like you don’t know if you can provide certain care, like, for example, if you haven’t started to develop certain parts of your practice, the team is really, really great at supporting you and also giving you the time that you need to educate up. They’re happy to help with sponsoring you to do things like your opioid agonist treatment prescription program or whatever else you need to do to get what you need for your practice.
“It’s also right on the SkyTrain line, so it’s really easy to get to work.”
Learn more about career opportunities at RISE Community Health Centre at cnh.bc.ca/careers.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.