Alex Smith

Job Title
Outreach Testing Nurse

Department/Location
STOP HIV/AIDS Outreach Team

How long have you worked at VCH?
One year

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
I do comprehensive testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections in an outreach setting, such as the Health Initiative for Men (HIM) Clinic on Commercial Drive. Starting July 30th, this clinic will be open on Monday, Tuesday and now Wednesday evenings. We’re trying to make testing as accessible as possible because cases of syphilis are at a thirty-year high in Vancouver and this STI often shows no symptoms. To learn more, go to http://www.checkhimout.ca/syphilis/

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
Having an autonomous certified nursing practice (while also being supported by a great team). It’s also satisfying to see the look of relief on a client’s face when you tell them that no, it is not necessary to stick a swab up their urethra as a part of STI testing — a simple urine sample will do just fine!

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
I never learned to drive – Victoria and Vancouver are very bikeable cities.

Three things you always have in your fridge:
Blueberries, Greek yogurt, and a hefty bag of kale.

What makes you happy?
Having a wonderful family, great friends, an amazing girlfriend and job that’s meaningful is all about all I could ever ask for. For this I am so lucky — everything else is gravy. Also, actual gravy makes me happy.

Most healthy habit:
Biking everywhere: to work, for fun, and even to haul 30+lbs of groceries home from the store.

Favourite vacation spot:
This year my girlfriend and I went to Sayulita, Mexico and learned to surf. It’s pretty hard to beat beaches, boards and burritos!