Registered Practical Nurse – Adult Inpatient Mental Health (7M)

Job title: Registered Practical Nurse – Adult Inpatient Mental Health (7M)

Job description: Are you looking to make a difference in people’s lives? St. Joseph’s Health Centre currently has an exciting opportunity to join our mental health team as a Registered Practical Nurse in our Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit (7M). As an integral member of the interprofessional care team and working with a highly acute mental health and/or addictions patient population, the Registered Practical Nurse will be responsible for the provision of high quality, patient and family centered nursing care, within a trauma informed framework in an acute care setting. In this position, you will be instrumental in helping people learn to manage their illnesses and support their recovery journey while growing your career in a professionally rewarding, fun, challenging and fulfilling environment.

As part of our larger Mental Health and Addictions program, our 35 bed inpatient unit, including a psychiatric intensive care unit, provides services to adults 19 years and older and is focused on delivering holistic and accessible mental health services to patients and their families. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, we strive to provide cutting-edge trauma informed care and services while developing innovative community partnerships that strengthen lives. We are committed to professional development, research, innovation and student learning.

The ideal candidate will possess superior nursing and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated competence in the field of mental health and addictions. Working collaboratively alongside other health care professionals you will demonstrate the ability to incorporate current evidence and best practice into plans of care and in the provision of your professional nursing services. You will approach the planning, delivery of care to patients and families in a manner which promotes health and well-being, recognizes patient dignity and regards patients and their families as an essential partner in the delivery of healthcare. As a member of our mental health team, you are highly-adaptable, highly-flexible and thrive in a fast paced environment. The Registered Nurse will be committed to continuous professional development of their nursing competencies.

The RPN works within a changing environment and in inter-professional teams to advocate for and promote wellness while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and ethical nursing care. The RPN shares his/her knowledge and expertise with others and contributes to the advancement of nursing practice excellence. The RN continually enhances his/her practice and competencies through ongoing learning, education, experience and reflective practice.

Responsibilities:

The primary role of the RPN is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centred quality care in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and Unity Health Toronto’s mission, vision, values and policies. The RPN optimizes the patient’s experience and care outcomes by:

• Being accountable for one’s decisions and professional practice;
• Establishing a therapeutic relationship with the patient;
• Providing autonomous nursing care with patients considered stable and with predictable outcomes;
• Collaborating with other members of the patient’s care team;
• Coordinating and communicating patient care activities to optimize the patient’s experience and care outcomes; and
• Collaborating and consulting with Registered Nurses and other members of the care team in the care of patients with increasing instability and unpredictability and, when necessary, safely transferring care to the Registered Nurse.

The RPN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

Patient Care:

• Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs;
• Engages patients and families to assess the level of involvement of the patient/family in their care and integrates into care planning;
• Develops a plan of care and integrates nursing activities with other inter-professional activities;
• Engages in critical inquiry and reflection to select evidence-based interventions;
• Organizes nursing care based on patient care needs and priorities;
• Continuously gathers and analyzes clinical and other relevant data to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed;
• Anticipates and recognizes rapidly changing situations; and a patient’s transition from stable to unstable, establishes priorities; and takes immediate appropriate action to collaborate and consult with the Registered Nurse;
• Provides health education using effective teaching strategies that takes into account the patient/family’s learning needs, readiness, and motivation to learn;
• Collaborates with appropriate team members on patient care needs;
• Processes orders and seeks verification of orders from prescribers;
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision in a timely manner to facilitate a current and accurate record of the patient’s status and enable effective inter-professional communication;
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning and other planning activities to facilitate care continuity and coordination; advocates for care needs to be met in most appropriate setting; and

Collaboration & Coordination

• Organizes patient care activities while working collaboratively with patients, families and the inter-professional team to achieve agreed-upon outcomes and optimize resource utilization for individual patients
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships within and across the hospital units/programs (and externally where appropriate for his/her patient population)
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition from one shift or setting/unit of care to another; ensures appropriate transfer of accountability from one care provider to another
• Participates in hospital committees and other groups to represent the RPN perspective and serve as a bridge to the unit/program and patient needs

Leadership & Professional Development

• Is accountable for his/her actions and decisions and practices in accordance with professional, legal and accreditation standards and evidence-based practice
• Aligns behavior with Unity Health Toronto’s vision, mission and values and code of conduct; promotes nursing as a knowledge-based profession; and, supports the advanced of professional practice plans and initiatives
• Engages in self-reflection, performance review and ongoing learning
• Participates in mentoring, teaching and /or coaching students, co-workers and other regulated and unregulated health professionals
• Embraces change that leads to improved nursing practice and better patient outcomes
• Advocates for a safe and healthy work environment

Research

• Participates in or supports research projects
• Supports and participates in evidence based practice implementation and quality improvement initiatives

Qualifications include:

Education/Certifications

• Successful completion of a Practical Nursing Diploma Program. Candidates who are currently working as an RPN at the Health Centre with a medication administration certificate will be considered.
• Current BCLS certificate

Professional Registration

• Currently registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Required Experience

• Recent clinical experience in acute mental health nursing required.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in effective therapeutic communication techniques and interviewing skills
• Comprehensive knowledge base of major mental health disorders and current treatment modalities
• Evidence of understanding of current healthcare legislation as it pertains to mentally ill individuals
• Demonstrated ability to engage and educate patients and families.
• Demonstrated physical assessment skills, critical thinking skills and problem solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to organize patient care demands and to set priorities in a rapidly changing environment.
• Commitment to professional training and development.
• Demonstrated computer skills.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to patient and family centered care.
• Demonstrated critical thinking abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within an interprofessional team, as well as independently.
• Ability to respond to code white situations
• Satisfactory attendance record.

As a condition of employment, all external hires will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or documentation unless a valid accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code exists. Please note, if you are extended an offer of employment, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination in Ontario QR Code format. All internal candidates must be in compliance with Unity Health Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

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