Canadian Mental Health Association Durham is an integrated community mental health and primary care hub that has been providing mental health services to Durham Region for over 60 years.
During that time, it has evolved to provide a broad range of services to individuals and their families experiencing mental health challenges, from information and education to case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing and primary healthcare. These services are provided through inter-professional teams focused on providing clinically based services that, in addition to dealing with client mental health issues, address social determinants of health using the recovery model.
Our Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic (NPLC) Team is looking for a Registered Practical Nurse (6-month contract) to join the team.
OVERVIEW
Provides nursing care and case management supports for marginalized clients who may have severe and persistent mental illness.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participates to full scope as a member of a clinical team providing nursing services for all clients
- Functions within the CMHA Durham hub model in all daily encounters
- Completes comprehensive assessments including initial assessments, introductory visits, focused physicals, etc.
- Performs comprehensive mental health assessments
- Performs assessments that are holistic and include all medical, psychiatric and social domains
- Develops, implements and maintains individualized nursing care plans and provides case management supports to clients
- Provides information and resources regarding prevention, healthy lifestyle, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, nutrition, alternative lifestyles, chronic diseases and terminal illnesses as appropriate
- Participates in treatment monitoring and evaluation of care
- Educates clients on their medication, including side effects, drug/alcohol interactions to foster adherence
- Performs venipuncture, ECG’s and cryotherapy
- Performs addictions services including counselling (individual, group), withdrawal management, follow up’s etc.
- Exchanges and/or transfers new knowledge about evidenced-based practices within the team
- Administers medication/treatments (including IM route) to clients and completes/maintains appropriate documentation
- Manages multiple nursing interventions simultaneously in rapidly changing situations
- Directs plans of care for highly complex clients
- Assists in the development and revision of organization’s policies related to nursing health care
- Provides linkages to health care professionals and community resources for further, or more complex, medical challenges
- Assesses the significance of changes in the client’s clinical status and intervenes, when necessary, in order to minimize risk to client and staff
- Document’s client contact using clinical methods and within predetermined time frames in accordance with CMHA Durham policies and procedures
- Performs other tasks as assigned by management
Risk Management
- Minimizes risks adhering to CMHA Durham Policies and Procedures identifying, assessing, evaluating and controlling risks ensuring well-being of staff and clients
- Completes medication reconciliations ongoing with clients
- Utilizes and monitors the Provincial Monitoring Data Base for Clozapine (CSAN)
- Complies with the organization’s vision, fundamentals, policies and procedures
- Applies all CNO standards into practice on a daily basis i.e., documentation, standardized information management practices, professionalism, ethics, etc.
SKILLS
- Registered Practical Nurse Diploma and a minimum of two years of related mental health experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Membership in the College of Nurses of Ontario and the Registered Practical Nurses’ Association of Ontario
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, Internal agency and other related legislation in Ontario
- Sound knowledge of psychotropic medications including usage and potential side effects
- Experience with phlebotomy is an asset
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships clients, community, partners, staff and represent the agency in a professional manner at all times
- Ability to acquire and utilize community resources effectively to meet client’s needs
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills and ability to formally present information to individuals or groups in order to develop, implement and monitor nursing care plans and attend meetings
- Ability to resolve complex client problems in order to ensure a high standard of nursing service
- Flexibility to adapt to change
- Ability to work independently when necessary
- Excellent assessment and organizational skills
- Ability to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds
- Ability to think critically and creatively
- Ability to make accurate nursing assessments and implement best practices
- Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook), internet
- Up to date CPR and First Aid
- Ability to work a variable schedule which may include evenings and weekends as required
EFFORT
- Sits, stands and walks daily in order to perform the duties of the job
- Concentration, attentiveness and creativity required daily to assess clients, administer medications/ injections, attend meetings, develop care plans, prepare documents, listen to clients, use nursing equipment, etc., as well as may lift walkers and push wheelchairs as needed
- Committed to self-care to maintain therapeutic competencies
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Works in a medical office environment
- Exposure to clients in crisis
- Exposure to abusive/irate clients, deadlines, multiple demands, distractions/Interruptions
- Exposure to hazards such as blood/bodily fluids and cleaning fluids
Please note that this is a contract position that is expected to last up to 12 months. This contract has a possibility of extension. Other opportunities may arise before the contract ends.
What we offer:
CMHA Durham is a non-profit community-based organization that believes that mental and physical health care is for everyone regardless of class, race, sexuality, gender, age, faith, or ability. With a flexible working model (within reasonable parameters of the program), memberships to meditation apps, competitive vacation, wellness time and 100% employer paid health benefits, work-life balance is not only encouraged but expected. Our Monday – Friday work week has 35 hours for most position and everyone gets their birthday off with pay.
Read more about us at CMHADurham.org/getinvolved.
CMHA Durham endorses the principles of workforce diversity and does not use AI algorithms or automated decision-making in the recruitment process. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please advise us if you require any level of accommodation, we are here to help and support you.
