POSITION SUMMARY

As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the Registered Nurse in Mental Health Services is responsible for providing direct psychiatric nursing care, care plan development, evaluation and co-ordination as well as leadership in accordance with the mission, vision, goals, objectives and policies of the hospital and the Patient Services Department. A dedicated professional, the Registered Nurse exhibits a positive attitude, excellent critical thinking skills and commitment to learning as well as patient/staff safety thus promoting a supportive, respectful and safe work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum four (4) years progressive psychiatric nursing experience within an acute care environment required.
• Certificate of registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario required.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certificate required.
• Completion of Post Diploma Psychiatric Nursing program preferred.
• Knowledge of the principles of psychiatric nursing required.
• Psycho/social and mental status assessment skills required.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention model and the Mental Health Act required.
• Demonstrates a desire and ability to participate in patient/family teaching.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with patients, families, all levels of staff and the community.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Ability to problem solve and make effective decisions during highly stressful and potential emergency situations.
• Satisfactory work performance and attendance record required.
• The successful candidate will have a proven commitment to professional development as well as to the Mission and Vision of the Hospital. Demonstrates proficiency in written and verbal communications skills in relation to working with patients across the care continuum.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Providing leadership in the provision of nursing services in the Emergency Department and/or Acute Mental Health In-Patient Unit, within the nursing and inter-professional teams especially in circumstances when the patient’s condition is more complex and the outcomes of patient care are unpredictable. Leadership is demonstrated through processes of orientation and mentoring of new staff and students, supporting team members learning goals, supporting team members learning in relation to mental health nursing and therapeutic interventions to psychiatric patient populations, engaging in reflective practice and continuous learning designed to improve the application of knowledge, skill and judgment in the provision of patient-centered care.
• Responding to increasing mental health needs which arise between the Emergency Department and Acute Mental Health In-Patient Unit.
• Assessing patient condition and needs based on interviews, interaction and direct observation, developing and implementing therapeutic patient treatment/care/discharge plans in a 24 hour operation to achieve patient goals in consultation and collaboration with patients, inter-professional team, family, substitute decision-maker and with community agencies within the circle of care as appropriate.
• Development of a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship utilizing nursing and other theoretical or practice frameworks i.e. crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, psychosocial rehabilitation, counselling, health teaching, administering and monitoring medication, and teaching life skills in preparation for community reintegration
• As a member of an interprofessional team, actively participates in the identification and coordination of provision of services and resources for patients from presentation to the Emergency Department to admission to the Acute Mental Health In-Patient Unit through to discharge, i.e. recreational activities, housing, finances, spiritual, advocating on behalf of patients with inter-professional team members and community agencies to safeguard entitlements and rights, taking crisis calls from patients who are on leave of absence and communicating information to appropriate person(s) i.e. team leader/charge nurse, After Hours Administrator, inter-professional team or community agencies.
• Observing, assessing, recording, and reporting patient condition, evaluating progress and modifying plans as appropriate, assessing patient risk to self and/or others, participating in quality improvement activities to facilitate changes in nursing practice and inter-professional care.
• Contributes to a safe, therapeutic environment through awareness of the College of Nurses of Ontario Standards, Emergency Department and/or Acute Mental Health In-Patient Unit program/facility wide policies and procedures, and mandatory training, i.e. implementing practices related to patient safety, reporting of issues in RL6, utilizing safe practices to address agitated patients, maintaining a safe environment by the secure storage of hazardous or dangerous equipment and supplies, reporting equipment malfunction, undertaking established security protocols, environment searches, maintaining a locked environment when applicable, assessing staffing needs and skill mix related to the provision of patient care, participating in the physical restraint of a patient, as required under the circumstances, when other alternatives have been ineffective to protect the patient, self or others from harm. Participating as an emergency responder in announced Code White (psychiatric emergency) situations and Code Blue (medical emergency).

HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

OSMH is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive working environment by treating team members and patients with compassion accountability respect and engagement.
All team members must adhere to OSMH’s Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and protocols, as well as the duties of workers as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Team members must be able to perform all bona fide and essential duties of the position which may include cognitive and physical demands.
As a condition of employment, new employees are required to complete an employment health assessment and must be cleared by the Occupational Health and Safety Team prior to orientation.