Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Contract 6 months

Canadian Mental Health Association Durham is an integrated community mental health and primary care hub that has been providing mental health services to Durham Region for over 60 years.

During that time it has evolved to provide a broad range of services to individuals and their families experiencing mental health challenges from information and education to case management psychosocial rehabilitation housing and primary healthcare. These services are provided through inter-professional teams focused on providing clinically based services that in addition to dealing with client mental health issues address social determinants of health using the recovery model.

Our Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic (NPLC) Team is looking for a Registered Practical Nurse (6-month contract) to join the team.

OVERVIEW

Provides nursing care and case management supports for marginalized clients who may have severe and persistent mental illness.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates to full scope as a member of a clinical team providing nursing services for all clients
• Functions within the CMHA Durham hub model in all daily encounters
• Completes comprehensive assessments including initial assessments introductory visits focused physicals etc.
• Performs comprehensive mental health assessments
• Performs assessments that are holistic and include all medical psychiatric and social domains
• Develops implements and maintains individualized nursing care plans and provides case management supports to clients
• Provides information and resources regarding prevention healthy lifestyle sexually transmitted diseases diabetes nutrition alternative lifestyles chronic diseases and terminal illnesses as appropriate
• Participates in treatment monitoring and evaluation of care
• Educates clients on their medication including side effects drug/alcohol interactions to foster adherence
• Performs venipuncture ECGs and cryotherapy
• Performs addictions services including counselling (individual group) withdrawal management follow ups etc.
• Exchanges and/or transfers new knowledge about evidenced-based practices within the team
• Administers medication/treatments (including IM route) to clients and completes/maintains appropriate documentation
• Manages multiple nursing interventions simultaneously in rapidly changing situations
• Directs plans of care for highly complex clients
• Assists in the development and revision of organizations policies related to nursing health care
• Provides linkages to health care professionals and community resources for further or more complex medical challenges
• Assesses the significance of changes in the clients clinical status and intervenes when necessary in order to minimize risk to client and staff
• Documents client contact using clinical methods and within predetermined time frames in accordance with CMHA Durham policies and procedures
• Performs other tasks as assigned by management

Risk Management

• Minimizes risks adhering to CMHA Durham Policies and Procedures identifying assessing evaluating and controlling risks ensuring well-being of staff and clients
• Completes medication reconciliations ongoing with clients
• Utilizes and monitors the Provincial Monitoring Data Base for Clozapine (CSAN)
  

• Complies with the organizations vision fundamentals policies and procedures
• Applies all CNO standards into practice on a daily basis i.e. documentation standardized information management practices professionalism ethics etc.

SKILLS

• Registered Practical Nurse Diploma and a minimum of two years of related mental health experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Membership in the College of Nurses of Ontario and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act Health Care Consent Act Internal agency and other related legislation in Ontario
• Sound knowledge of psychotropic medications including usage and potential side effects
• Experience with phlebotomy is an asset
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships clients community partners staff and represent the agency in a professional manner at all times
• Ability to acquire and utilize community resources effectively to meet clients needs
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills and ability to formally present information to individuals or groups in order to develop implement and monitor nursing care plans and attend meetings
• Ability to resolve complex client problems in order to ensure a high standard of nursing service
• Flexibility to adapt to change
• Ability to work independently when necessary
• Excellent assessment and organizational skills
• Ability to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to think critically and creatively
• Ability to make accurate nursing assessments and implement best practices
• Knowledge of MS Office (Word Excel PowerPoint Access and Outlook) internet
• Up to date CPR and First Aid
• Ability to work a variable schedule which may include evenings and weekends as required

EFFORT

• Sits stands and walks daily in order to perform the duties of the job
• Concentration attentiveness and creativity required daily to assess clients administer medications/ injections attend meetings develop care plans prepare documents listen to clients use nursing equipment etc. as well as may lift walkers and push wheelchairs as needed
• Committed to self-care to maintain therapeutic competencies

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Works in a medical office environment
• Exposure to clients in crisis
• Exposure to abusive/irate clients deadlines multiple demands distractions/Interruptions
• Exposure to hazards such as blood/bodily fluids and cleaning fluids

Please note that this is a contract position that is expected to last up to 12 months. This contract has a possibility of extension. Other opportunities may arise before the contract ends.

What we offer:

CMHA Durham is a non-profit community-based organization that believes that mental and physical health care is for everyone regardless of class race sexuality gender age faith or ability. With a flexible working model (within reasonable parameters of the program) memberships to meditation apps competitive vacation wellness time and 100% employer paid health benefits work-life balance is not only encouraged but expected. Our Monday Friday work week has 35 hours for most position and everyone gets their birthday off with pay.

Read more about us at Durham endorses the principles of workforce diversity and does not use AI algorithms or automated decision-making in the recruitment process. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please advise us if you require any level of accommodation we are here to help and support you.

Required Experience:

Senior IC