Nurse Clinician

KEY FUNCTION:
Provide specialized assessment, treatment, and intervention for older adults with multiple complex health needs and provide resources for professionals and caregivers in Northern Ontario.

REPORTING:
Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Regional Outpatient Geriatric Medicine Service.

DUTIES:
1. Apply the Standards of Nursing Practice as outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
2. Maintain standards of patient care as outlined for the unit; adhere to HSN policies and standards of nursing.
3. Administer and perform comprehensive geriatric assessments.
4. Analyse and synthesize findings from in home geriatric assessment into a comprehensive clinical report identifying client’s priority needs and relevant treatment options designed to optimize their independence.
5. Provide intensive geriatric case management for the medically complex, high risk senior.
6. Respond to urgent medical situations in patients’ homes due to unknown nature of patient status.
7. Assess condition changes and medication effects and relay relevant information to physicians.
8. Provide support and education to patients and their caregivers.
9. Conduct frequent home visits to monitor medical recommendations for unstable geriatric syndromes and chronic conditions made by physicians.
10. Review and prioritize all incoming referrals; manage outreach clinic, support partners in care and provide education and capacity building for health care providers regarding geriatrics.
11. Create, implement, and deliver education to medical professionals, nurses, and physicians across the geriatric continuum of care.
12. Support the Geriatric Medicine Follow-up Clinic using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment; present findings to physicians.
13. Develop, implement and evaluate speciality programs (e.g. bone health and continence).
14. Educate client and family in coping strategies, decision-making, and utilization of personal and community resources, and make referrals to community resources as required.
15. Collaborate with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and community partners throughout the therapy process and advocate to ensure client needs are met.
16. Complete joint interdisciplinary home visits as required.
17. Frequent travel to NESGC sites across Northern Ontario (Timmins, New Liskeard, Kapuskasing, Hearst, Parry Sound, Elliot Lake, James Bay Coast).
18. Document in the patient’s medical chart, clinical impression and all related intervention and patient outcomes; maintain an accepted standard of documentation for quality assurance as outlined by HSN policies and the College of Nurses of Ontario.
19. Attend regular in-service sessions, conferences and seminars to keep abreast of new developments, trends and techniques in the nursing field, attending sessions related to specialties.
20. Participate in studies and projects as required.
21. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
22. Supervise student placements.
23. Provide/deliver educational programs/content offering mentorship through clinical expertise to students and through continuing education opportunities.
24. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
25. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
26. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
27. Participate on various committees and in meetings as required.
28. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
1. Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BScN) from an accredited university.
2. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
3. Current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS is required
4. Current certification in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is required.
5. Successful completion of Provincial Common Orientation, Core Indigenous Cultural Competency Training Program, and the P.I.E.C.E.S. Training program are required.
6. Unit-specific certification, training, and education may be required.
7. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working within Specialized Geriatric Services and completing assessment and treatment guided by the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of health assessment, medications, and telemedicine procedures.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of health assessment tools (e.g. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing Test, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia).
3. Demonstrated ability to exercise professional judgment, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking with the ability to apply ethical frameworks and choose the optimal assessment and treatment intervention.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of mobilizing community health resources and enhancing continuum of care.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of education curriculum development, implementation and evaluation.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous and Francophone culture.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of Specialized Geriatric Centre community services and available resources.
8. Demonstrated ability to effectively problem-solve, set priorities, and manage conflict.
9. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of lean methodology for process improvement.
10. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
11. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems (e.g. Meditech and Accuro).
12. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
13. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and multi-task.
14. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
15. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.
16. Demonstrated positive interpersonal relations and patient-teaching skills.
17. Demonstrated commitment to patient and family-centered care.
18. Demonstrated strong therapeutic communication skills and ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in a clear, concise manner, considering the intended audience.
19. Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as interdependently.
20. Demonstrated knowledge of the functional organization of the hospital and community agencies in providing care to the patient.
21. Demonstrated ability to provide full-age spectrum care and liaise with other programs and care providers.
22. Proven knowledge of different patient care delivery trends as applied to the nursing unit.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check is required.
2. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with minimal supervision; to prioritize duties.
3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
4. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
5. Demonstrated good attendance record.
6. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
7. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
8. Ability to travel between local sites and outreach clinics across Northern Ontario.
9. Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle is required.
10. Shift patterns of nursing are subject to the requirements of the position.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.