Registered Practical Nurse - 12 month Contract

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:

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.

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 client’s 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 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

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 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

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.

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