Nurse Practitioner

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

REPORTING
Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Regional Outpatient Addictions Services.

DUTIES
1. Practice autonomously, offering the full scope of a 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 clients presenting with addictions and/or concurrent disorders.

5. Provide comprehensive biopsychosocial support for individuals who are acutely intoxicated and/or withdrawing from a variety of substances (i.e. motivational interviewing, grounding and mindfulness, solution focused therapy approaches, or harm reduction planning, etc.) as required.
6. Work in collaboration with the team to determine appropriate team member or role to respond to initial consult request within hospital or community in a timely and reliable manner.
7. Consult, refer and collaborate with members of the multidisciplinary team and community services as required.

8. Complete program intakes and develop/implement treatment plans with clients and families accessing services.
9. Develop plan of care with the help of other healthcare professionals to meet patients’ needs and communicate actions to maintain continuity of care.
10. Prescribe anti-craving, Opioid Agonist Therapy and withdrawal medications as required.

11. 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.
12. Provide patient and family with counselling and health teaching, advice on health maintenance, and arrange for the continuation of required care after patient discharge.
13. Counsel clients on harm reduction, withdrawal, and craving symptom management, health maintenance, pharmacotherapy, alternative therapies, psychosocial rehabilitation strategies and other health programs.

14. Provide direct comprehensive care to clients to manage acute and chronic addictions within a holistic model of care.
15. Attend regular in-service sessions, conferences and seminars to keep abreast of new developments, trends and techniques in the Addictions Medicine field.
16. Participate in program development at a local and regional level.

17. Facilitate a variety of education sessions locally and regionally.
18. Assist in determining and developing the philosophy and objectives of the nursing unit in collaboration with Management.
19. Coordinate and utilize identified resources within the hospital including bed utilization and early discharge planning in the provision of safe quality patient care on the unit.

20. Leverage NP Autonomous practice and leadership to promote innovation and system capacity building in delivery of care.
21. Provide leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of addictions care strategy across the addictions service programs.
22. Develop and maintain professional relationships with members of the multidisciplinary team and community agencies.

23. Collaborate with inter-professional teams, public health and other healthcare providers and sectors and community members to determine and address healthcare priorities and related issues.
24. Assess population health trends and patterns and participate in designing services that promote harm reduction philosophies and healthy living.
25. Assist in the development and implementation of standards, guidelines, policies and procedures as well as medical directives for addictions services programs.

26. Participate in pertinent evaluation and research studies related to the withdrawal management service and other addictions services at HSN.
27. Attend Nurse Practitioner Professional Council Meetings, and as appropriate to the role, sit on and attend board, various committees and meetings as required.
28. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.

29. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
30. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
31. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.

32. 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.

4. Current certifications in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention are required.
5. Current specialty certificate in NP-Adult or NP-PHC is required.

6. Meets CNO requirements to prescribe controlled substances.

7. Completion of the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Opioid Use Disorder Treatment course is preferred.

8. Competencies to offer motivational interviewing or other Psychotherapy techniques is preferred.

9. Training or experience in culturally safe care provision and trauma informed practices.
10. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of three ( years experience working in an addiction service s role

2. Experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of relevant advanced nursing practices.
3. Experience in the development of strategies to build capacity and improve health outcomes.
4. Experience in the development of clinical guidelines and protocols, promoting the use of research and evidence based practice to guide client centered care.

5. Experience in providing care of individuals struggling with addictions and substance use disorders.

6. Experience in the implementation of trauma informed care in the setting of substance use disorders.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of social determinants of health and how these can impact marginalized populations.

2. 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.
3. 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).
4. Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based practices of harm reduction philosophies and recovery principles.

5. Demonstrated leadership abilities with high levels of critical and logical thinking, analysis and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons or facts.
6. Demonstrate a high level of Social Leadership skills and team capacity building.
7. Demonstrated health assessment/clinical skills.

8. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the relevant acts, regulations, legislation and standards related to Occupational Health and Safety in the hospital setting.
9. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
10. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.

11. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
12. Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to manage workload and adapt quickly to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
13. Demonstrated ability to assist clients with concern and empathy; respect their confidentiality and privacy, communicate in a courteous and respectful manner, and consider intended audience.

14. 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 inter-professional team.
7. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.

8. Demonstrated commitment to client 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.
12. Flexible hours may be 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.