Clinical Nurse Specialist

The University Health Network, where "above all else the needs of patients come first", encompasses Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute of Education. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of ground-breaking firsts and a purpose of "Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning", the University Health Network (UHN), Canada's largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.

Union: Non-Union
Site: Toronto Western Hospital
Department: Krembil Brain Institute- Neurosurgery
Reporting to: Clinical Director
Work Model: On-Site
Grade: F0:04
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Days
Wage range: $48.40 - $60.50 per hour (to commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN Compensation Policy)
Status: Temporary Full-Time (up to 24 months)
Closing date: January 16, 2025

Position Summary

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - Neurosurgery functions in an advanced practice nursing role demonstrating a high level of autonomy and expert skill to formulate clinical decisions and appropriately care for patients with neurosurgical needs. The CNS-neurosurgery role acts as a leadership and change agent in the advancement of nursing practice and standards; supporting the implementation of interprofessional best practices in the care of patients with neurosurgical needs.

Duties

The key responsibilities of the Clinical Nurse Specialist – Neurosurgery include:

1. Assess, Plan, Implement and Evaluate treatment goals for patients with neurosurgical needs to full scope, with a focus on neurosurgical patients with facial pain.
2. Apply specialized knowledge and expertise on recent advances in nursing best practices to facilitate the effective management of clinical activities, coordination of patient care and continuity in patient care through integrated care strategies.
3. Provide patient and family education and nursing care as it relates to the diagnosis and treatment plan. Assure that patient/family and healthcare providers are educated/informed as to ongoing care needs relative to discharge planning. This involves participation in outpatient clinics as well as providing advice, in collaboration with surgical staff, regarding ongoing patient questions and concerns.
4. Gather metrics of referral to and referral from neurosurgical facial pain clinics, help coordinate, triage and prioritize clinic visits.
5. Provide patients with advice, in coordination with surgical staff, about medication management and flare plans.
6. Foster an organizational culture of learning, quality and safety through mentorship, role modelling and coaching of nursing staff and inter-professional teams to build capacity in the management of patients with neurosurgical needs.
7. Contribute to the development and/or refinement of policies, procedures, medical directives related to neurosurgery care.
8. Participate in research, procurement, evaluation processes and committees related to function, as needed.
9. Support Practice nursing in meeting the best available evidence and benchmarks.

Other responsibilities include:

1. Support quality health care through teaching, mentoring, quality monitoring and program development.
2. Initiate and participate in quality improvement and research that will expand nursing knowledge, and disseminate advances in nursing care.
3. Deliver, coordinate and participate in education in conjunction with the Advanced Practice Nurse Educators and other nursing leaders including professional development activities.
4. Participate in outcome evaluation of nurse-sensitive indicators.

1. Current certificate of registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario.
2. Completion of Basic Cardiac Life Support (B.C.L.S.) program, Level II Rescuer certification.
3. Master's degree in Nursing or recognized equivalent required.
4. Subspecialty certification in Neuroscience, High Acuity Nursing Care and/or Critical Care preferred.
5. 3-5 years nursing experience in neurosurgical or neurosciences programs within an acute care setting.
6. Three (3) years of relevant experience including experience in an advanced clinical practice role, preferably in an acute care and/or neurosciences setting preferred.
7. Sound understanding and demonstrated ability to enact the Core Competencies of the CNS framework as outlined by the Canadian Nurse Association related to clinical care, system leadership, advancement of nursing practice competencies and evaluation and research.
8. Eligible for cross-appointment to an academic institution.
9. Excellent coaching and mentoring skills.
10. Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
11. Excellent organization and time management skills.
12. Excellent problem recognition and complex problem-solving skills.
13. Experience with Quality Improvement, program planning and evaluation an asset.
14. Commitment to collaborative practice, effectively functioning within an inter-professional team.
15. Ability to work effectively and autonomously within a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
16. Experience with Electronic Health Information Systems and Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Visio and Adobe Pro.

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

1. Competitive offer packages.
2. Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
3. Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service.
4. A flexible work environment.
5. Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization.
6. Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.).

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.