The RPN works within a changing environment and within an inter-professional team to advocate for and promote wellness while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and ethical nursing care. The RPN shares their knowledge and expertise with others and contributes to the advancement of nursing practice excellence. The RPN continually enhances their practice and competencies independently through ongoing learning, education, experience and reflective practice.
The Withdrawal Management Service (WMS) is a 26 bed unit dedicated to meeting the holistic needs of patients who present for assistance in managing substance use and addictions. Patients in the WMS often have co-occurring mental health and/or medical needs.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Successful completion of a Practical Nursing Diploma Program (or equivalent)
• Current RPN Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• BLS Certification
• Two years of recent mental health and addictions nursing experience required; community or primary care setting preferred (recent within last 5 years), including caring for clients with addictions or substance abuse issues/ concurrent disorders
• Ability to assess substance withdrawal and to respond to both the physical and emotional needs of the client who is in withdrawal.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve medication issues in the community
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of recovery, harm reduction, addiction treatment, pharmacotherapy, and trauma informed approaches
• Proficiency in the application of de-escalation and de-briefing skills
• Demonstrated recovery-focused skills in bio-psychosocial assessment, mental status assessments, differential diagnosis, treatment and transitional care of mental health and addictions patients
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of legislation guiding mental health and addiction nursing practice (example, Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act)
• Ability to work collaboratively with other professions / disciplines in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills
  Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.

The primary role of the RPN is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centered quality care in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and UHT¿s mission, vision, values and policies. The RPN optimizes the patient¿s experience and care outcomes by:

• Being accountable for one¿s decisions and professional practice;
• Assessing for, identifying and addressing the patient¿s medical needs
• Establishing a therapeutic relationship with the patient;
• Collaborating with other members of the patient¿s care team; and,
• Coordinating and communicating patient care activities.

The RPN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

Patient Care:

• Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs
• Completes medical screening
• Develops a plan of care and integrates nursing activities with other inter-professional activities
• Engages in critical inquiry and reflection to select evidence-based interventions
• Organizes nursing care and assigns or changes nursing care activities where appropriate
• Troubleshoots medication-related issues
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed
• Anticipates, recognizes and addresses emerging medical needs and rapidly changing situations
• Refers clients appropriately to address medical concern
• Provides health education to patients and their families using effective teaching strategies
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning

Collaboration & Coordination

• Works alongside the addiction service workers to organize, coordinate and deliver patient care activities in Residential Withdrawal Management Services
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition and appropriate transfer of accountability
• Participates in hospital committees and other groups

Leadership

• Aligns behavior with UHT¿s vision, mission and values and Code of Conduct
• Supports the advancement of professional practice
• Utilizes effective judgment in assigning patient care activities
• Engages in self-reflection, performance review and ongoing learning
• Participates in mentoring, teaching and /or coaching students, co-workers and other regulated and unregulated health professionals
• Embraces change that leads to improved nursing practice and better patient outcomes
• Advocates for a safe and healthy work environment

Research

• Participates in or supports research projects
• Supports and participates in evidence based practice implementation and quality improvement initiatives