Nursing - Clinical Extern - Nursing Innovation

Job Description

Through its core values of Courage, Respect and Excellence, CAMH is implementing its Strategic Plan: Connected CAMH, to transform lives, ignite innovation and discovery, revolutionize education and drive social change. CAMH is more than a hospital, it is a cause. CAMH is on a mission to change the way society thinks about and responds to mental illness. They aim to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and shape a world where mental illness is central to our healthcare system – a world where Mental Health is Health.

To learn more about CAMH, please visit their website at:

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CAMH is seeking interested nursing students or internationally educated nurses to join the Clinical Extern Program. This opportunity is an exciting way for students in RN and RPN entry-to-practice programs to contribute their knowledge and skills in a psychiatric care environment. Clinical externs will gain valuable patient care experience and build connections with a team of passionate interprofessional care providers in a hospital setting. Clinical Externs may be considered for nursing opportunities upon graduation and licensure. Reporting to the manager of the Nursing Innovation & Transition Program, the Clinical Extern is an unregulated health care provider working within a changing environment and interprofessional team to advocate for and promote wellness while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and ethical care. The Clinical Extern works in collaboration with the team under the supervision of a Regulated Nurse (Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse) and Extern Mentor Coordinator while contributing to the advancement of practice excellence. The Clinical Extern will develop their competencies through learning, education, experience and reflective practice.

Clinical Externs are expected to attend all orientation and onboarding activities in a full-time capacity. Post-orientation, Clinical Externs are expected to work a minimum of one 12hr shift per week to meet their 0.25 FTE.

Duties include (but are not limited to)

• Practices under the direct and/or indirect supervision of a nurse (RN or RPN) to ensure that they have the knowledge, skills and judgment needed to perform all actions/duties;
• Follows organizational policies and professional standards while taking into account the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) guidance for unregulated care providers;
• Participates in patient assessments (e.g. mental status exam, suicide risk, physical health assessments) and assists with activities of daily living;
• Requests assistance with assigned duties when necessary;
• Contributes to care planning, safety planning and evaluation;
• Provides assistance with lifting, turning, transferring, transporting and ambulating as needed;
• Assists with comfort measures and patient safety by ensuring the environment is clean and tidy and free of hazards;
• Engages in additional skills as approved;
• Requests assistance with assigned duties whenever in need;
• Provides transfer of accountability at shift report and when going on break;
• Contributes to and supports positive team functioning

Job Requirements

• Nursing students between 1st and 4th year of a College of Nurses of Ontario Baccalaureate Nursing Program (e.g. BNSc), or final year of a College of Nurses of Ontario approved Practical Nursing program OR
• Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who have initiated registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), have received a CNO letter of direction and meet one of the following:
• are in any year of study in a CNO approved program, such as a BScN-IEN program, PN-IEN program, or
• are completing a micro-credential plan with a curriculum to meet the CNO requirements for registration (e.g., Standards of Practice for nursing, Entry-to-Practice Competencies, Evidence of Safe Practice, Evidence of English Language Proficiency) or
• have completed their educational requirements (e.g., BScN-IEN/PN-IEN program or micro-credentialing) and are waiting to write their registration exam
• Excellent academic standing
• Current certificate in Basic Cardiac Life Support required
• Demonstrated infection prevention and control practices is an asset
• Demonstrated excellent problem-solving, decision-making and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Psychiatric/mental health nursing experience (clinical practicums) with individuals with mental illness and/or addictions is an asset.
• The ability to work with clients of diverse cultural and social backgrounds is necessary.
• Computer literacy is required.
• Bilingualism (French/English) and/or proficiency in a second language would be an asset.