Job Description:
Are you an experienced registered practical nurse seeking a rewarding career that cares for others, in a professional practice that cares for you? You’re looking in the right place.
As a Health Care Connector, you will provide support to patients navigating our complex health care system and facilitate long-term attachment to primary care providers. In this role, you will serve as a key liaison between patients, primary care providers, and community health resources.
Whether you work in our office, in the community, or a health care facility – you will play a lead role in providing connected, accessible, patient-centred care – and be supported by our collaborative team that includes over 9,000 regulated health care and other professionals.
As a valued team member, your mission will be to help our patients be healthier at home, while you benefit from our supports for professional growth, personal wellness and work-life balance.

What will you do?

• Reporting to the Manager, Patient Services, the incumbent will be responsible for:
• Assisting patients to navigate through a complex health care system by connecting people to a primary health care provider
• Maintaining contact with patients in the Ontario Health atHome WW Health Care Connect priority list to keep them informed about prospects of attachment
• Providing guidance and support to patients to access alternative primary care and other community and health care resources
• Assessment of patients to obtain information in order to determine patients’ vulnerability and complexity according to Health Care Connect classifications, and facilitate appropriate referrals if/as required (i.e. to Ontario Health atHome Information & Referral, Care Coordination, urgent care clinics, alternate primary care models, etc.)
• Support meaningful long-term attachment to primary care providers through facilitating transitions to traditional primary care providers throughout the Ontario Health atHome WW
• Establishing relationships with the inter-professional team and provide navigation assistance to physicians with complex and vulnerable patients
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with health service providers, primary health care providers and other appropriate agencies
• Accessing, maintaining and amending the inventory of primary care providers who are available and accessing new patients in Ontario Health atHome
• Providing program interpretation/education to hospital and community agency staff, physicians, patients and families about the Care Connector supports, and advocating for increased registration and participation with Health Care Connect service as appropriate
• Reporting and updating statistical information for appropriate stakeholders as needed
• Maintains privacy of patient information and confidentiality of patient and primary care provider registration databases
• Documents according to Ministry of Health and Ontario Health atHome WW policy, procedure and practices for the Health Care Connector role and in alignment with professional college standards of documentation
• Working in a multi-disciplinary team with community partners that promotes positive working relationships
• Takes all reasonable steps to ensure a healthy and safe work environment and participates in continuous quality improvement
• Performing other duties as assigned.

What must you have?
-
- Membership in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse with 3-5 years of experience and/or additional relevant training and education.
- Proven skills in the areas of assessment, communication, interviewing, problem solving, interpersonal relations and leadership within a team-based setting are required.
- The ability to work independently in a highly organized manner is required.
- Demonstrated experience in comprehensive assessment, use of different or combined approaches.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have experience and expertise in mental health, and supporting vulnerable complex patients
- Demonstrates professional, appropriate, effective, and tactful communication skills, including written, verbal and nonverbal
- Comfortable with assisting patients in completing the MOH screener to determine priority of clinician attachment and other interactions using cultural and language interpretation services as required
- Proficient in the operation of a personal computer in a networked environment using a variety of computer software and data entry skills, i.e. Excel, Data Base Software, as well as various other programs.
- Knowledgeable in the use of technology in a community setting – e.g., lap top in the home, cell phone, remote networking, etc.
- Fluency in French language preferred.
- Ability to communicate in French or another language an asset.
- The ability to travel throughout Waterloo Region and Wellington County is required.
- We have a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. As a condition of employment, all employees are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination status prior to start date.

What would give you the edge?

• Experience working with diverse patient groups, e.g., multicultural, homeless, palliative, acquired brain injury (ABI), mental health, geriatrics, pediatrics
• Case management experience or recent related community experience
• Ability to speak French or another second languageWhat do we offer?

We know wellness is supported with work-life balance. In an inclusive culture committed to support your passion for continuous learning, growth and innovation, we offer:

• Attractive comprehensive compensation packages and benefits

• Valuable development opportunitiesMembership in a world class defined benefit pension plan

• Who we are
  We are Ontario Health atHome, ready to serve every person in Ontario. We partner with patients and caregivers, primary care providers, hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes, service providers and Ontario Health Teams, to deliver responsive, accessible, integrated, patient-centred care.
  If you’re interested in driving excellence in care and service delivery, and seeking an unparalleled opportunity to lead and learn, partner and connect, care and be cared for, this is your home.
  Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Commitment
  Ontario Health atHome is committed to a culture of equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism. We are committed to attracting, engaging and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations for persons with disabilities required during the recruitment process are available upon request.
  We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
  Rate of Pay:
  $38.55-$41.74/h

• Reporting to the Manager, Patient Services, the incumbent will be responsible for:
• Assisting patients to navigate through a complex health care system by connecting people to a primary health care provider
• Maintaining contact with patients in the Ontario Health atHome WW Health Care Connect priority list to keep them informed about prospects of attachment
• Providing guidance and support to patients to access alternative primary care and other community and health care resources
• Assessment of patients to obtain information in order to determine patients’ vulnerability and complexity according to Health Care Connect classifications, and facilitate appropriate referrals if/as required (i.e. to Ontario Health atHome Information & Referral, Care Coordination, urgent care clinics, alternate primary care models, etc.)
• Support meaningful long-term attachment to primary care providers through facilitating transitions to traditional primary care providers throughout the Ontario Health atHome WW
• Establishing relationships with the inter-professional team and provide navigation assistance to physicians with complex and vulnerable patients
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with health service providers, primary health care providers and other appropriate agencies
• Accessing, maintaining and amending the inventory of primary care providers who are available and accessing new patients in Ontario Health atHome
• Providing program interpretation/education to hospital and community agency staff, physicians, patients and families about the Care Connector supports, and advocating for increased registration and participation with Health Care Connect service as appropriate
• Reporting and updating statistical information for appropriate stakeholders as needed
• Maintains privacy of patient information and confidentiality of patient and primary care provider registration databases
• Documents according to Ministry of Health and Ontario Health atHome WW policy, procedure and practices for the Health Care Connector role and in alignment with professional college standards of documentation
• Working in a multi-disciplinary team with community partners that promotes positive working relationships
• Takes all reasonable steps to ensure a healthy and safe work environment and participates in continuous quality improvement
• Performing other duties as assigned