Nurse Practitioner (Addictions Services)

KEY FUNCTION:
Provide medical management of substance use disorders across the organization Function as a practitioner leader, consultant, educator, and advocate in a multidisciplinary care team in the implementation, evaluation, and provision of high quality, patient centered care.

REPORTING:
Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Inpatient Addictions Services.

DUTIES:
1. Practice autonomously, as a full scope Nurse Practitioner (NP) as outlined in the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Standard: Nurse Practitioner, and provincial and federal legislation.
2. 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 HSN.
3. Provide Advanced Practice health assessments to diagnose health/illness conditions, working within the legislated scope of an NP with a specific focus on addictions medical support.
4. Provide evidence-based treatment for youth and adult patients presenting with addictions and/or concurrent disorders.
5. Provide support for individuals who are acutely intoxicated and/or withdrawing from a variety of substances, as required.
6. Prescribe anti-craving, Opioid Agonist Therapy and withdrawal medications as required.
7. Provide ongoing monitoring and evaluation of patient care needs, timely documentation and communication that reflects the NP’s care interventions, patient response to treatments, patient needs, problems, capabilities, limitations, and progress, as required.
8. Provide direct comprehensive care to patients to manage acute and chronic addictions within a holistic model of care.
9. Consult, refer and collaborate with members of the multidisciplinary team and community services as required.
10. Develop a plan of care in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to meet patients’ needs and communicate actions to maintain continuity of care.
11. Provide patient information and teaching on harm reduction, withdrawal, craving symptom management, health maintenance, pharmacotherapy, alternative therapies, psychosocial rehabilitation strategies and other health programs as required.
12. Attend in-services, webinars, conferences or seminars to keep informed of new developments, trends and techniques in the field of substance use medicine.
13. Participate in program development as required.
14. Facilitate education sessions or in-services as required.
15. Coordinate and utilize identified resources within the hospital including bed utilization and early discharge planning in the provision of safe quality patient care.
16. Leverage NP Autonomous practice and leadership to promote innovation and system capacity building in the delivery of care.
17. Provide leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of addictions care strategy across the addictions service programs.
18. Develop and maintain professional relationships with members of the multidisciplinary team and community agencies.
19. Collaborate with inter-professional teams, public health and other healthcare providers and sectors to determine and address healthcare priorities and related issues.
20. Assess population health trends and patterns and participate in designing services that promote harm reduction philosophies and healthy living, as required.
21. Assist in the development and implementation of standards, guidelines, policies, procedures and medical directives for addictions services program, as required.
22. Participate in pertinent evaluation and research studies specific to addictions services at HSN.
23. Attend Nurse Practitioner Professional Council Meetings, and participate in and attend board meetings and other committees as required.
24. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve desired outcomes.
25. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
26. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
27. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
28. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
1. Graduate from an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program.
2. Master’s or Doctoral degree in nursing or related field is preferred.
3. Current Certificate of Registration as EN (Extended Class) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is required; Current specialty certificate in NP-Adult or NP-PHC is required..
4. Current certifications in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is preferred.
5. Meets CNO requirements to prescribe controlled substances.
6. Completion of the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Opioid Use Disorder Treatment course is preferred.
7. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working as a Nurse Practitioner.
2. Experience in the development of clinical guidelines and protocols, and promoting the use of research and evidence-based practice to guide patient-centered care.
3. Experience providing trauma informed care to individuals struggling with addictions and substance use disorders.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of medical/surgical care (i.e. wound care, IV peripheral access maintenance, etc.).
2. Demonstrated knowledge of social determinants of health and how these can impact marginalized populations.
3. Demonstrated ability to provide culturally competent care using a trauma‑informed approach that respects the diverse backgrounds and needs of all patients.
4. Demonstrated ability to integrate in-depth knowledge of advanced nursing practice and theory, health management, health promotion, disease/injury prevention and other relevant biomedical and psychosocial theories to provide comprehensive health services with a particular focus on addictions services care.
5. Demonstrated knowledge regarding the nursing process and its application (e.g. the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care) particularly related to addictions service provision.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based practices of harm reduction philosophies and recovery principles.
7. Demonstrated leadership abilities with high levels of critical and logical thinking, analysis and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons or facts.
8. Demonstrate ability to develop capacity in others through mentoring, guiding and fostering a collaborative approach.
9. Demonstrated health assessment/clinical skills.
10. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and other relevant legislation.
11. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
12. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
13. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
14. Demonstrated ability to prioritize manage workload and adapt quickly to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
15. Demonstrated ability to assist patients with concern and empathy; respect their confidentiality and privacy, communicate in a courteous and respectful manner, and consider intended audience.
16. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check is required.
2. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
3. Demonstrated dedication to patient centered communication and patient education.
4. Demonstrated high levels of initiative, resourcefulness, flexibility and adaptability.
5. Demonstrated commitment to the provision of trauma informed, culturally safe care provision and harm reduction.
6. Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative practice model as a member of an interprofessional team.
7. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
8. Demonstrated commitment to patient and family-centered care.
9. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
10. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
11. Ability to travel between local sites and valid driver’s license with access to vehicle is required.

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.