Who We Are:
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.
Overview of the Role:
Provides registered nursing services and case management supports to Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) clients with severe and persistent mental illness within the Canadian Mental Health Association Durham (CMHA Durham).
Duties and 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
- Assists clients with access and linkages with other appropriate services, as necessary
- 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 medication, when necessary, or arranges other resources to deliver medication, as prescribed by the treating physician, educates clients on their medication, including side effects, drug/alcohol interactions and compliancy and monitors clients’ vital signs
- 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/treatments to clients and completes/maintains appropriate documentation
- 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
- Performs other tasks as assigned by management
Client Safety:
Adhere to CMHA Durham client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety. Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.
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
Risk Management:
- Minimizes risks adhering to CMHA Durham Policies and Procedures identifying, assessing, evaluating and controlling risks ensuring well-being of staff and clients
- Responsible for taking on complex high risk nursing duties as appropriate, and as clinically determined
- Maintain valid membership with the RNAO and to complete the required documents on an annual basis (i.e. Quality Assurance report and Practice Reflection tools)
Qualifications:
- Registered Nursing Degree or 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 Nurses’ Association of Ontario
- Completion of the Medication Training Course and current First Aid/CPR certification
- 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 client’s 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
- Ability to work with complex and potentially high-risk client issues in order to ensure a high standard of nursing services
- Ability to mentor related student placements
- Flexibility to adapt to change
- 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 Driver’s 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
Working Conditions:
- Works on site in office setting, as well as off-site in residential homes, doctors’ offices, shelters, staff vehicle, and clinical office environments
- Exposure to distractions, interruptions and deadlines
- Some exposure to hazards such as needles, medications, chemical substances, etc.
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 hybrid working model, 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 CMHADurham.org/getinvolved.
CMHA 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.
