Nurse Practitioner – Mental Health and Addictions – Full Time

PURPOSE:

Purpose: The Sault Area Hospital (SAH) is excited to invite applications for a dynamic and results-driven Nurse Practitioner (NP) to join our Mental Health and Addictions/Eating Disorders Program. We are looking for a self-motivated leader with a strong track record in developing and expanding NP roles within healthcare settings. The ideal candidate will bring innovative clinical leadership and collaborate closely with our inter-professional team to enhance and advance treatment pathways for eating disorders. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in fostering positive, collaborative relationships with physicians, staff, and system partners.

DUTIES:

1. Participates and collaborate with other health care providers in the provision of patient care.
2. Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
3. Assesses patients by obtaining relevant history and completing physical exam, in order to make a diagnosis
4. Initiates orders for treatment(s), medications, and diagnostic tests according to findings and collaborates with SAH physicians, primary care providers and family health teams as needed.
5. Develops medical treatment plans for the patients under her/his care, which may be carried out by other care providers.
6. Develops pathways to care to other addiction and mental health services as part of the discharge process, including Primary Care.
7. Evaluates outcomes based on clinical skills/judgement and patient improvements.
8. Dictates discharge summaries, which set out the diagnosis, treatment and discharge instructions.
9. Participates in the development of order sets, clinical pathways or medical directives for the care of the patients in the program.
10. Refers to other care providers as appropriate
11. Where appropriate is a consultant and resource to the Health Care Team and the community as required.
12. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Current Certificate of Registration as RN (EC) in good standing with the College of Nurse of Ontario.
2. Enrolled in the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (OUDT) course through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). For more information, visit: https://www.camh.ca//en/education/continuing-education-programs-and-courses/continuing-education-directory/opioid-use-disorder-treatment-course
3. Enrolled in Certification with Addiction Care & Treatment Certificate (UBC). For more information, visit: https://ubccpd.ca/course/addiction-care-and-treatment#overview
4. Enrolled in Sublocade Certification. For more information, visit: https://www.sublocadecertification.ca/Login.aspx?dest=~/default.aspx

SKILLS & ABILITY:

1. Practice autonomously, offering the full scope of Nurse Practitioner (NP) practice as outlined in the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Standard: Nurse Practitioner, and provincial and federal legislation.
2. Practice may be guided by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) publication “Canadian Nurse Practitioner Core Competency Framework”.
3. Ability to provide leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a nurse practitioner lead role in a new program
4. Perform the responsibilities of the position within the legislative and regulatory standards set out in the applicable Provincial and Federal Acts and consistent with the operational policies of SAH.
5. Provide comprehensive health assessments to diagnose health/illness conditions, working within the legislated scope of an NP with a specific focus on mental health and addictions medical support.
6. Communicate with clients about health assessment findings and diagnosis where appropriate.
7. Provide evidence based treatment for adults presenting with mental health and/or addictions disorders.
8. Knowledge of social determinants of health and how these can impact marginalized populations.
9. Applied knowledge and implementation of trauma informed care.
10. Provide comprehensive biopsychosocial support for individuals who are acutely intoxicated and/or withdrawing from a variety of substances.
11. Consult, refer and collaborate with members of the multidisciplinary team and community services as required.
12. Provide direct comprehensive care to clients to manage acute and chronic illness within a holistic model of care.
13. Counsel clients on harm reduction, withdrawal, craving symptom management, health maintenance, pharmacotherapy, alternative therapies, psychosocial rehabilitation strategies and other health programs.
14. Develop and maintain professional working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team and community agencies.
15. Collaborate with inter-professional teams and other healthcare providers and sectors and community members to determine and address healthcare priorities and related issues.
16. Oversee the work of other clinical staff, providing education, direction, and supervision where appropriate.
17. Assess population health trends and patterns and participate in designing services that promote harm reduction/recovery philosophies and healthy living.
18. Assist in the development and implementation of standards, guidelines, policies and procedures as well as medical directives for mental health and addiction services.
19. Attend Program related meeting, sit on and attend various committees as required.
20. Participates and leads the development and implementation of medical directives, order sets, teaching protocols, outcome standards and patient education material to ensure consistent, quality care.
21. Acts as a preceptor, mentor and coach to nursing colleagues, other members of the health-care team.
22. Functions as a professional by demonstrating behaviour consistent with Hospital Mission, Values and Standards of Performance.

Note: Because of the changing nature of the work and work to be done, other responsibilities and duties may be assigned and qualifications may be adjusted from time to time.               

Nurses will be selected on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume which they have attached to the posting application form. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview and/or testing where required.