JOB TITLE: Registered Practical Nurse
DEPARTMENT: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
JOB REPORTS TO: ACT, STEP & CTO Lead
OVERVIEW
Provides registered practical nursing services and case management supports to Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) clients with severe and persistent mental illness within the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Durham.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary high performance team providing registered practical nursing services and managing a caseload of individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness within a variety of community settings
- Develops, implements and maintains individualized nursing Client Care Plans (OCAN, nursing assessments) and provides case management supports to clients
- Consults and collaborates with community resources and service providers ensuring clients obtain the most appropriate services and receive continuity in their care
- Reviews clients in-take and assessment information discussing clients medical, psychiatric and social issues and completes/updates comprehensive nursing mental health assessments including Mental Health Status Exams
- Monitors, reviews and updates care plans on a scheduled basis revising plans, as necessary, ensuring flexibility to meet clients needs
- Provides information and resources to clients on chronic and terminal illnesses
- Delivers and/or observes medication, when necessary, as prescribed by the treating physician, educates clients on their medication, including side effects, drug interactions, monitoring clients vitals and medication compliance
- Assesses the significance of changes in the clients clinical status and intervenes, when necessary, in order to minimize crisis intervention situations
- Participates in the development of a discharge plan in collaboration with clients and relevant stakeholders
- Exchanges and/or transfers nursing knowledge on evidenced-based nursing practices with, or to, team members in order to assist in the health needs of clients
- Liaises with physicians and psychiatrists assisting clients with obtaining family practitioners/arranging medical appointments
- Administers medication and intramuscular injections/treatments to clients and completes/maintains appropriate documentation
- Documents client contacts, performs assessments and creates reports in a timely manner, as outlined in CMHA Durham policies and procedures
- Supports and assists clients with maintaining their skills to live independently in the community and promotes safe and healthy living standards ensuring that clients basic needs of food, clothing and shelter are met
- Updates and maintains the Medical Administration Record (MAR) for a caseload of clients including medication audits and liaison with the pharmacy
- Provides linkages to health care professionals and community resources for further, or more complex, medical challenges
- Provides on-call services to clients and acts as back up coverage to staff, as required
- Provides clients with opportunities for learning through recreation, vocational and concurrent disorder activities
- 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
- Appropriate delegation of complex/high risk nursing duties to the teams Registered Nursing staff as required
- Maintain valid membership with the RPNAO and to complete the required documents on an annual basis (i.e. Quality Assurance report and Practice Reflection tools)
SKILLS
- Registered Practical Nurse Diploma and a minimum of two years related mental health experience of equivalent combination of education and experience
- Membership/Registration in valid/good standing with the Ontario College of Nurses Association and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario
- Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Nursing Act, Regulated Health Professions Act, Health Care Consent Act, Community Treatment Orders and other related legislation in Ontario
- Sound knowledge of psychotropic medications including usage and potential side effects
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships clients, community, partners 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 with individuals of diverse backgrounds
- Ability to think critically and creatively
- Ability to make accurate nursing assessments and implement best practices
- Ability to work successfully inter-professionally as well as intra-professionally (i.e. providing comprehensive health care services within the team as well as in partnership with shared-care professionals)
- Ability to manage crisis situations in a professional manner at all times
- Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends
- Valid Ontario Drivers license, access to a dependable vehicle in safe working order and appropriate insurance coverage
- Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook) and Internet
EFFORT
- Sits at desk, stands and walks daily, and uses personal vehicle 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 wheel chairs as needed
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Works on site in office setting, as well as off-site in community settings
- Exposure to distractions, interruptions and deadlines
- Some exposure to hazards such as needles, medications, chemical substances, etc.