JOB SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. The Senior Forensic Community Nurse provides leadership to a multidisciplinary team that provides a defined range of community forensic mental health services to Mentally Disordered individuals in conflict with the law and to clients who are referred to Forensic Psychiatric Regional Programs. Supervises regional clinic nurses and social workers, and acts as a clinical resource for staff. Assists the Regional Clinic Manager with the implementation and evaluation of the services and management of the clinic; monitors adherence to established quality assurance and the safety policies, procedures, and protocols; and ensures a high standard of client care by supporting staff training and development, and providing support to the interdisciplinary team. Assists the Regional Manager with performing administrative activities and ensuring optimal use of client care resources. Consults, confers and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, educational resources, and other health care professionals/providers. The Senior Forensic Community Nurse also functions as a Forensic Community and Liaison Nurse, with the clinical guidance of a treatment team leader and access to the Professional Practice Leader Nursing carries out nursing psychiatric/psychological assessments and treatment services to adults who are subject to a legal order for criminal offences (probation, bail, provincial parole, conditional sentence) and provides assertive case coordination services to high-risk mentally disordered offenders, and supervises and coordinates services to adults found Not Criminally Responsible due to Mental Disorder (NCRMD) or Unfit to Stand Trial

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as an RN or RPN with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
• Three (3) years’ of recent, related experience working with individuals with severe and persistent psychiatric illness, including one (1) year supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver’s License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate.

Skills and Abilities

• Broad knowledge of nursing theory and Forensic Psychiatric Nursing practice
• Broad knowledge of British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) standards of professional practice and Code of Ethics.
• Broad knowledge of applicable Legislation such as the Forensic Psychiatry Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Mental Health Act and its application to the management of persons under the care of FPS.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and community resources.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Broad knowledge of the Provincial Court system.
• Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects).
• Demonstrated ability in nursing practice related to assessment of behaviour, risk and to assisting clients to regain/improve their coping abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct biopsychosocial psychiatric assessments, provide treatment planning, and to apply knowledge of theory and practice to a case management process.
• Demonstrated ability to assess clients’ responses to care and to respond appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events and to problem solve
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physicians, and other health care staff.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a co-operative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations, manage aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, work direction, and effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and coach clients, nurses, social workers and colleagues both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, Internet and e-mail software.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

1. Supervises and coordinates the daily activities of the assigned regional clinic staff to ensure the provision of efficient and effective client care delivery by establishing priorities, ensuring availability of qualified staff, scheduling staff and coordinating work assignments. Monitors client care and follow-up, evaluates quality of client care and outcomes for the long term resolution of care needs and ensures adherence to established policies, procedures, and protocols including those for quality assurance and the safety of staff, clients, visitors, and the community. Works with the Regional Manager, physicians, staff and other areas/external resources to solve operational problems and facilitates continuity care, and keeps the Regional Manager appraised of any issues or concerns.
2. Acts as a clinical resource for members of the multidisciplinary team and students and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration for treatment concerns, continuity of care, and community resource coordination by methods such as assisting with nursing interventions and problem solving, providing clinical guidance and information on complex cases, discussing patient care issues, facilitating the completion of START assessments and implementation of individualized interdisciplinary treatment plans, making decisions on nursing strategies determined to be most effective in managing behaviour, and developing linkages/partnerships with other facilities, agencies, and community resources to best meet client needs and expected outcomes.
3. Ensures the dissemination of information concerning BC Review Board matters to both staff and clients in a timely manner. This aspect of the role will include the initiation of Direct Back and/or Breach Returns to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH). Provides clinical support and direction when staff are initiating Direct Backs or Breach Returns. Supports nurses and social workers in the preparation of reports for the Review Board, ensuring that documentation about clients is appropriate and complete. Reviews the process and outcome of Review Board hearings with the treatment team members, identifying issues which require follow-up and communicating these issues to the Regional Manager.
4. Coaches team members and coordinates/implements orientation and ongoing training for regional program staff through methods such as clarifying requirements, determining training/orientation sequence of job functions, participating in preceptorships and mentoring, collaborating with nursing and social work leadership, discussing progress and facilitating establishment of individual and area goals, assessing progress and providing feedback and/or written documentation for authorization by the Regional Manager. Identifies and recommends staff training/skill enhancement to the Regional Manager. Assists with the coordination and placement of student practicums. Supports the Professional Practice Leader, Social Work, to provide education to the Social Workers regarding developments and changes in clinical practice.
5. Coordinates requests for vacation days, special education and other leaves of absence by reviewing staffing levels with designated staff/team members to determine operational requirements, granting/denying request, or referring matter to the Regional Manager.
6. Coordinates and participates in quality improvement and risk management activities for assigned area through implementing and monitoring new/updated client care practices and procedures, evaluating effect of changes in care practice, generating recommendations for alternate approaches, following up on incident reports, conducting safety audits and taking corrective action and recommending changes to selected policies, procedures or protocols to the Regional Manager or professional practice leadership.
7. Provides critical input in the performance evaluation of designated staff by methods such as assessing clinical skills and client care given, providing written input into employee performance evaluations to promote quality work performance, discussing and clarifying performance expectations with staff, determining orientation and training requirements, documenting performance problems, and providing input to the Regional Manager regarding probationary period extensions and disciplinary action. Handles employee relations issues including responsibility for step one and step two of the grievance procedure.
8. Participates in the selection of new regional staff by methods such as attending interviews for position vacancies, assessing clinical skills, and providing recommendations regarding the evaluation of candidates to facilitate optimal hiring decisions.
9. Assists the Regional Manager with administrative activities and optimal use of client care resources through methods such as identifying systems for improving utilization of resources, providing input into budget/staff allocation, evaluating client care products/equipment, identifying new equipment purchases required, and recommending changes to existing administrative processes.
10. Assists the Regional Manager with planning, developing and evaluating the client care through coordinating and participating on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities that facilitate area goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration. Arranges and attends meetings and in-services, reviewing area policies and procedures, selecting and utilizing outcome measures, and providing input/recommendations to the Regional Manager and practice leadership regarding efficiency of processes/procedures relating to work duties with a view to ensuring streamlined, effective and client/family centered practices.
11. Reviews clinical performance measures in conjunction with the Regional Manager and assists the Regional Manager to formulate plans for improvement.
12. Participates in committees, task groups, and/or community initiatives by methods such as providing area representation and input from a clinical perspective, presenting relevant material, acting as advocate for the goals and objectives of the service, and promoting optimal support for clients and their families to improve client outcomes, integration and coordination of forensic psychiatric services.
13. Facilitates evidence based nursing and social work practice and interdisciplinary research working with the Professional Practice Leaders for Nursing and Social Work through methods such as reviewing relevant literature/resources, promoting staff awareness and involvement in research activities by identifying issues/practices which require research, and promoting use of research findings in clinical practice; and evaluates results.
14. Carries out direct patient care activities as required in accordance with the care plan by methods such as conducting initial intake and ongoing biopsychosocial nursing psychiatric assessments; providing community case coordination and advocacy services for clients; providing nursing services, information and support, and short-term, time-limited follow-up as required; administering medications and assessing their effectiveness, monitoring client for presence of side effects; maintaining complete and accurate records; and facilitating access to psychiatric and social services, providing Court Liaison bridging and transitional services, and conducting/participating in pre-release planning conferences. Monitors client compliance with Review Board dispositions and initiating direct back/ breach proceedings as necessary.
15. Participates in BC Review Board hearings, liaises with the Review Board for clarification on administrative matters, and consults with Forensic Psychiatric Services’ legal counsel as required with respect to Review Board issues initiates’ action consistent with the disposition order. Completes Review Board briefing notes following each hearing. Maintains a safe environment for patients, families and staff.
16. Maintains and updates relevant knowledge and understanding of Forensic Psychiatric Nursing practice, forensic psychiatric community mental health, nursing standards of professional practice and Code of Ethics, and the applicable sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection and Privacy Act, FPSC health information records as per FPSC policy. Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of mental health, social, financial, rehabilitation, emergency, and other resources in the service.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.