Registered Nurse Community Mental Health

Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph's Health Centre and St. Michael's Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. Join our team in our mission to continue to put patients and families at the centre of everything we do, in the role of Registered Nurse - Community Mental Health.

• ­Join Project Dignify, an innovative initiative dedicated to providing comprehensive support to older adults facing homelessness or precarious housing situations coupled with chronic mental health challenges. Our mission is to uplift those slipping through the gaps of existing health and social care systems, offering a sustainable path to stability and dignity. This innovative new program is made possible with the generous support from the Louis L. Odette Family Urban Angel Fund for Homeless People.
• ­As a Registered Nurse (RN) with Project Dignify, you will be at the forefront of delivering holistic care to our clients. Collaborating closely with an interprofessional team consisting of a geriatric psychiatrist, homeless outreach counselor, occupational therapist, and researcher; you will provide essential nursing and outreach case management services to homeless older adults in Toronto's inner city. You will be responsible for administering standardized screening and assessment tools, conducting physical and mental health examinations, providing medication monitoring and management support, offering health promotion, psychoeducation and illness self-management skill teaching, crisis prevention and intervention and linkage with desired health services.
• ­The RN 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 RN 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.
• ­Join us in our mission to provide compassionate, dignified care to those in need. Apply now to become a vital member of the Project Dignify team

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The primary role of the RN is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centered quality care in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and SMH's mission, vision, values and policies. The RN 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;
• Collaborating with other members of the patient's care team; and,
• Coordinating and communicating patient care activities.

The RN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

Patient Care:

• Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs
• 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 and assigns or changes nursing care activities where appropriate
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed
• Anticipates, recognizes and addresses rapidly changing situations
• Provides health education to patients and their families using effective teaching strategies
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning
• Refers patient to other agencies or services as needed

Collaboration & Coordination

• Serves as the primary resource for organizing and coordinating patient care activities
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition and appropriate transfer of accountability
• Participates in hospital committees and other groups

Leadership

• Aligns behavior with SMH¿s vision, mission and values and Code of Conduct
• Supports the advancement of professional practice
• Utilizes effective judgment in assigning patient care activities
• 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

The Project Dignify RN will:

• Triage and screen all new client referrals
• Complete standardized screening and assessment instruments (Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool, Mini-Cog, Confusion Assessment method, Global Deterioration Scale)
• Conduct physical health, mental health and substance use assessments
• Liaise with primary care physicians/nurse practitioners and medical specialists to develop coordinated care plans
• Collaborate with emergency departments and inpatient units to facilitate effective transitions in care
• Utilize assertive outreach strategies, to locate, engage and maintain clients in a helping relationship
• Conduct community outreach visits (street, shelters, housing programs, homes) to support clients with medication monitoring and management, illness self-management, skill teaching, psychoeducation, completing referrals to community services and engage in coordinated care planning
• Use assertive outreach to accompany clients to medical appointments to support the clients¿ effective utilization of community resources
• Use clinical reasoning skills to determine need for emergency room or inpatient care based on patients acute presentation and functional status

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have Current General Class (Practicing) Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing certification and/or Canadian Gerontological Nursing Certification preferred
• Must have completed BLS Certification
• Crisis Prevention Institute certification would be an asset
• Completed certificate program in the areas of homelessness preferred (Working with Homeless populations)
• Completed certificate programs in gerontological nursing preferred (PIECES, gentle persuasive approach, Montessori for Elders, CAGP Geriatric Psychiatry)
• Previous experience with administering standardized screening and assessment tools preferred
• Minimum 1 year full time recent work experience as a psychiatric mental health or addictions nurse in a community setting required
• Experience working in geriatric nursing
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of the Mental Health Act of Ontario
• Excellent knowledge of the recovery model as it applies to community mental health settings
• Excellent knowledge of case coordination and collaborative care planning
• Excellent knowledge of health and social services in the community
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in the nursing care of individuals living with enduring mental illness and substance abuse disorders
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Excellent assessment and crisis intervention skills
• Acts as a resource and provides health and wellness information, guidance, support and consultation to other staff and community care providers
• Actively participates in operational and clinical team meetings
• Maintains community relationship with key health care partners in the hospital and community
• Participates in program planning and evaluation of Project Dignify
• Excellent communication, problem solving and team collaboration skills required
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Suite)
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development
• Contributes to the academic mandate of the organization as an educator, resource or support for staff, students and members of the academic and professional community
• Is committed to, and participates in, ongoing quality improvement in the organization

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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