Mental Health Liaison Nurse

QUALIFICATIONS
* Baccalaureate degree in Psychiatric Nursing preferred (e.g. BScMH, BScPN) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with related experience will be considered
* Active practicing licensure with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurse of Manitoba.
* A minimum of three (3) years within the past five (5) years of relevant clinical experience in mental health
* Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Training - as delineated in Prairie Mountain Health Policy PPG-00002 CPR Training
* Current certification:
* • ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
* • NVCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention)
* • Co-Occurring Disorder training
* Province of Manitoba Class 5 Drivers Licence, or equivalent from province of residence, and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within Prairie Mountain Health
* Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology
* Evidence of professional development and activity in professional association
* Knowledge of adult learning and ability to teach individuals and groups effectively
* Knowledge of, competence and aptitude for working with this specific Patient population (principles of crisis intervention, co-occurring disorders, dialectical behavior therapy)
* Demonstrates knowledge of trauma informed care and recovery-orientated philosophy of mental health
* Excellent counselling and conflict resolution skills
* Demonstrated ability to safely and effectively intervene with aggressive or self destructive individuals
* Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication
* Demonstrated effective teaching skills and abilities working with clients and families and to support and educate colleagues in providing mental health care
* Demonstrated ability to collaborate and provide leadership with a team in providing mental healthcare
* Demonstrated ability to practice independently and as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team
* Knowledge, competence and ability to demonstrate clinical nursing skills and concepts in accordance with approved nursing standards
* Ability to make effective decisions regarding nursing care
* Demonstrated effective problem solving, organizational, interpersonal, critical thinking, creative thinking and decision making skills and the ability to work independently
* Ability to maintain positive working relationships with co-workers and clients
* Ability to respect and promote confidentiality

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

Assessment, Consultation & Triage of complex mental health presentations:
Primary responsibility to the Emergency Department.
Upon referral for consultation from the physician on the inpatient units, provides assessment/consultation to patients on inpatient units as able.
Provides mental health consultation within the facility as required to support patient mental health assessments, care planning and intervention, when primary responsibilities allow.
Conducts an initial assessment for patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with mental health concerns &/or substance abuse.
Assists to triage individuals accessing emergency room for mental health issues and illnesses, assess risk and prioritizes intervention and assessment to facilitate the appropriate timely response.
Processes treatment recommendations/referrals in collaboration with the ED physicians.
Collaborates with the Emergency Department health care team on the development of treatment, discharge and transfer plans and implements the plan.
Supports and implements recovery orientated practices.
Conducts follow up calls to patients as required to assess the effectiveness of interventions planned in the Emergency Department; contacts patients as identified by ED team who were not seen by the Mental Health Liaison Nurse.
Processes and implements referrals in collaboration with the Emergency Department to community resources.
Obtains collateral information from community service providers, family and other health care institutions.
Functions as a visible resource within the Emergency Department to provide general support to patients and families experiencing stressful situations, crisis, loss and serious illness or injury, when primary responsibilities allow.
Demonstrates competency in Mental Health Crisis intervention/psychosocial assessment and other treatment modalities.
Demonstrates knowledge of psychopharmacology.
Knowledge of cultural diversity and practices of populations served.
Demonstrates working knowledge of substance use and co-occurring disorders.
Liaises with appropriate community and hospital services to access resources and advocate for patients and families.
Liaises with patients current outpatient mental health providers to collaborate on patient care plan.
Liaises with Psychiatrist on call and other unit and departments that may be involved with the patient care.
Supports behavioral management of patients in the Emergency Department including pharmaceutical/physical/environmental restraint of aggressive patients.
Liaises with acute psychiatric inpatient units and crisis stabilization units to coordinate the admission process and provide a thorough report.
Participates in the development of a community plan for clients who frequently accesses emergency room treatment and support in conjunction with mental health program and/or emergency department staff.
Provides telephone or telehealth consultations to Prairie Mountain Health emergency departments for mental health presentations. Consultation will consist of telephone screening assessments and collaboration, provide recommendations and support to regional rural ED staff.
Assists to provide psychological support to families of critically ill or deceased and to link with community resources whenever needed for patients in the Emergency Department.
Supports families and acts as a clinical resource to colleagues regarding management of psychiatric, intoxicated, stressed, angry and aggressive patients.
Provides support and education to patients and families related to mental health concerns, such as support organizations, medication and resources.
Uses available technology such as EDIS and applicable electronic health care records.
Documents and reports findings to the Emergency Department and team including mental health assessment, suicide risk assessment and recommendation of appropriate disposition.

Administrative requirement and Professional Development
Participates in the development of mental health policies, guidelines and forms for use in the emergency department or inpatient units on a variety of mental health topics.
Participates in evidence-informed professional development, demonstrates critical thinking and problem solving skills with the implementation of policies and guidelines.
Supports and acts as a preceptor for students in the clinical environment.
Directly reports to the Mental Health Program, but is accountable to and collaborates as part of the Emergency Department team with the Clinical Manager or designate of the Emergency Department.
Maintains regular communication with Manager; submits reports/statistics as required, notifies manager of any critical situations that may have broad regional impact for individual or other parts of health care system.
Participates in Emergency Department meetings as appropriate.
Demonstrates ability to foster a collaborative interdisciplinary environment that supports quality services, quality improvement and staff empowerment.
Possesses sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Vulnerable Persons Act, Child & Family Services Act, and Protection of Person’s in Care Act.
Other duties as assigned.