Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) – Inpatient Adult Mental Health

Job title: Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) – Inpatient Adult Mental Health

Job description: Southlake is building healthy communities through outstanding care, innovative partnerships, and amazing people. We deliver a wide range of healthcare services to the communities of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Our advanced regional programs include Cancer Care and Cardiac Care and serve a broader population across the northern GTA and into Simcoe-Muskoka.

Our team of nearly 6,000 staff, physicians, volunteers, students and Patient and Family Advisors are committed to creating an environment where the best experiences happen. As a recognition of our commitment to quality and patient safety, we have received the highest distinction of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.

Job Summary

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) role models clinical excellence and the core competencies of the practice standards of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), as well as the policies and procedures of Southlake Regional Health Centre (Southlake). The RPN works collaboratively as a member of the health care team. The RPN provides direct patient care to patients based on the three-factor framework as outlined in the College of Nurses of Ontario standard, RN and RPN Practice: The Client, Nurse and the Environment. These three factors have an impact on decision making related to care-provider assignment as well as the need for consultation and collaboration among care providers. All nurses make a commitment to lifelong learning.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides patient and family focused care within the RPN scope of practice, based on the three factor framework of the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Functions in accordance with established hospital policies and procedures, including emergency codes
• Ensures that practice is consistent with entry to practice competencies, standards of practice, guidelines and legislation
• Communicates effectively with patients, families and all members of the healthcare team
• Practices collaboratively with Registered Nurses (RNs) to provide elements of care for patients/clients with complex health issues
• Practices collaboratively with other members of the interprofessional health care team
• Provides consultation and/or clinical support to peers as needed
• Contributes to the assessment and documentation of each patient’s health status on an ongoing basis
• Assists in the development and implementation of the Plan of Care and evaluates its ongoing effectiveness
• Assists in the orientation/preceptorship of new staff members and students to the clinical units
• Acts as a role model and champion to identify and integrate safe, best practices into daily activities to foster the delivery of safe and exemplary care
• Other duties as assigned by Manager/delegate

Skills & Abilities

• Able to work 12 hour shifts, evenings, nights, and weekends
• Minimum two years recent acute inpatient mental health experience preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of and understanding the therapeutic responses, side effects and management of psychotropic medication and providing the patient, family and care givers with appropriate education
• Good working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and legislation
• Demonstrated understanding and ability to conduct thorough Mental Status Exam (MSE) and the Columbia Suicide Severity Scale (C-SSRS)
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and provide ongoing risk assessments and identification of risk factors and early changes in patient’s status for self-harm and symptoms of aggression.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and respond immediately to patient reactions by de-escalation and guiding the patients through complex behavior concerns and support the patients with alternatives to seclusion and restraint
• Demonstrated advocacy for resources that increase the patients and families accessibility to mental health supports to improve their community living, exploring all options with the patient, family, care givers and allowing the patient, family, and care givers to make informed choices
• Good working knowledge of Ministry of Health mandated Resident Assessment Inventory (RAI)
• Ability to set priorities and organize work in response to patient/client needs
• Ability to function to the full scope of nursing practice as per the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning, professional development, and continuous quality improvement
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated problem assessment skills
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service and teamwork
• Demonstrated individual leadership skills
• Commitment to providing an exceptional experience for patients and families as well as other members of the healthcare team within a challenging and exciting health care environment
• Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion
• Models behaviour that is aligned with the values of Southlake Regional Health Centre
• Always with compassion
• Power of many
• Serve with purpose
• Every voice matters

Qualifications

• RPN diploma from a recognized school of nursing
• RPN Certificate of Registration, in good standing, from the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Current BLS certification required
• Crisis Intervention Institute Certificate or equivalent violence prevention training required or to be obtained within three months of hire

As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the Hospital’s Occupational Health and Safety department. Successful candidates will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination (two doses) from the Ontario Ministry of Health website or other authorized source directly to the Occupational Health and Safety department. In the event that you are unable to be vaccinated as a result of a ground protected under the Human Rights Code, you may submit a written explanation of the ground and any supporting documentation to determine if you are exempt from this requirement to the recruitment team. A recruitment representative may follow up with you for further information if necessary.

At Southlake, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve, including those with disabilities. Southlake is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

It is the responsibility of all Southlake employees to work in a safe manner and promote health and safety in the workplace.

Please note: If you are selected to move forward in the recruitment process, a Southlake Talent Representative will contact you via email. Please double check any emails you receive from Southlake and ensure that the address ends in @southlakeregional.org or @southlake.ca. If it does not, we do not recommend responding as your email may not be sent to the Southlake team.

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