Clinical Practice Leader

About Queen's University

Queen's University is a Canadian research-intensive institution that offers a transformative student learning experience. Our employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting, with opportunities in various areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering and construction, athletics and recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity-seeking groups, including women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community, and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Job Summary

Student Wellness Services (SWS) supports the personal, academic, and social health development of students at Queen's University by providing a range of programs and services. SWS aims to offer a welcoming, confidential, and integrated service that is responsive to the health and wellness needs of our students.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Student Wellness Services (SWS), the Clinical Practice Leader (CPL) is a key member of the Student Wellness Service Leadership team, providing strategic clinical practice leadership, direction, and professional oversight to the interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to deliver services according to the highest professional practice standards and regulatory requirements.
• Assesses care delivery in collaboration with the Executive Director and management team, making evidence-informed recommendations for changes to procedures and policies to improve quality and integration of services.
• Analyses the division of work throughout the interdisciplinary team and makes recommendations for process and practice changes to improve health outcomes and ensure practitioners are working to the highest scope.
• Demonstrates attitudes, beliefs, values, and skills that align with the Student Wellness Services mission and values and as required for change and innovation.
• Promotes and fosters a collaborative environment across the team and services.
• Working alongside healthcare providers in the clinical space, applies a holistic professional practice lens to service delivery and acts as a resource to all members of the interdisciplinary team for advice and guidance on best practices.
• As a champion for innovation, applies principles of effective change management to support the clinical team to achieve goals and objectives.
• Continuously monitors models of care within similar settings, proactively researches best practices in student healthcare, and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Applies principles of patient-centered care in all activities and integrates the student as an active participant in their care.
• Provides or arranges professional development opportunities for the interdisciplinary team.
• In collaboration with the staff and medical team, supports complex student cases in navigating internal and community services.
• Understands diverse student needs and contributes to innovative approaches in care delivery and to reduce barriers to care.
• Monitors existing and emerging community resources and services and fosters positive relationships with external partners.
• Evaluates service delivery through proactive communication with students, receives feedback from students, families, and staff, and addresses concerns. Develops and implements innovative methods for collecting feedback.
• Ensures compliance with Infection Prevention and Control measures, provides training, and updates processes based on best practices.
• Oversees clinical supplies and ensures clinical equipment is maintained in good operating condition. Collaborates with the finance team to ensure the most cost-efficient approach.
• Supports and oversees clinical placements for healthcare students in all areas of the healthcare team. Assesses needs and ensures that the placement experience meets the learning needs of the student and program.
• Assesses practices to ensure compliance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act and the Mental Health Act, addresses non-compliance through education and training.
• As an expert user of the Electronic Medical Record (OSCAR), acts as a resource for staff and provides training and support to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Plans, prioritizes, and manages work, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources and scheduling, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Assesses staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance, and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Investigates, addresses, and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Makes decisions collaboratively with the ED with effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge, and probationary termination.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Nursing or an Allied Health profession; Master's Degree strongly preferred.
• Registered and in good standing with the applicable regulatory college.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical practice, preferably working with student and young adult populations, in acute illness, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and in assessing inter-professional practice.
• Knowledge of student development stages and the application to health and wellness.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a leadership or management role with supervisory, budget, and service delivery responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate change.
• Knowledge of the barriers to healthcare faced by diverse students.
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control or willing to become certified.
• Experience with risk assessment, crisis intervention, and support of individuals with suicidal ideation.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening will be required.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Skills

• Sound knowledge of inter-professional practice, with the ability to identify and implement practice improvements.
• Sound knowledge of legislation, including PHIPA, Mental Health Act, AODA, human rights, infection prevention and control, and other relevant provincial and federal health legislation.
• Student-oriented approach to service delivery and passion for working in an inter-professional team to deliver high-quality services to students.
• Ability to interpret regulatory college standards across the spectrum of healthcare practitioners to ensure compliance.
• Strong understanding of health information software and use of electronic health records.
• Collaboration and Teamwork; effective collaboration, persuasion, and negotiation skills to successfully and positively work with students, staff, and external partners.
• Builds Relationships; proven ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships and relationships with team members as well as internal and external stakeholders.
• Decision making and Judgement; ability to apply appropriate assessment techniques when evaluating professional practice issues and handling complex student cases.
• Initiative; demonstrates a continuous commitment to improvement and development, and encourages the participation of others by demonstrating the value of appropriate urgency and action.
• Leadership; ability to inspire a diverse and high-performing team to work towards shared objectives and optimize team effectiveness by engaging diverse perspectives and empowering others.
• Equity and Inclusion; applies equity interventions to address inequities in provision of care; seeks opportunities to gain new knowledge and understanding of individual or group beliefs and norms and leads by example in encouraging continuous learning in the areas of equity and inclusion.
• Integrity; recognizes sensitivities and risks, using professional ethics to question and challenge issues. Seeks out systematic solutions to problems. Consistently acts with the highest professional standards, exercising tact, judgement, and confidentiality.
• Client Orientation; strong customer service orientation, combined with demonstrated discretion and tact when working with highly confidential medical information in sensitive situations that could involve risks to students or the university.
• Communications; listens to others and expresses ideas orally and in writing, in a professional and effective manner to ensure that complex messages, recommendations, and impacts are conveyed clearly and credibly. Readily shares information and knowledge with others.
• Planning and Organizing; establishes a clearly defined course of action to accomplish goals and to organize work efforts in a complex environment with multiple competing demands, priorities, and deadlines. Allocates time and manages resources effectively, ensuring accuracy.
• Business Acumen; carries out strategy with a clear understanding of trends and dynamics that affect the University and unit. Demonstrates business foresight along with the ability to integrate diverse perspectives.

Decision Making

• Work with the Executive Director (ED) and SWS leadership team to develop unit strategy, make strategic decisions related to development and implementation of initiatives and programs within Student Wellness Services.
• Assess scope of practice and make decisions related to appropriate delegation.
• Make budgetary and resource allocation decisions, including determining priorities regarding optimizing services and programs.
• Determine the most appropriate approach to care for students within the service; support the clinical team in decision making related to triage.
• Determine the most efficient way to deliver services and to move students through the service, including decision making on process change.
• Work with clinical staff to determine the level of risk of presenting students and next steps to manage risk.
• Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assesses investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Makes effective recommendations on the level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs.