Registered Practical Nurse (Rpn), Withdrawal Mgmt Services

Unity Health Toronto-St. Michael's Residential Withdrawal Management Services (WMS) offer 24 hour access to safe withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs for adults living in Southeast Toronto. The program embraces a harm reduction and trauma informed approach to care. The program is staffed by addictions counselors, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and nurse practitioners. Service recipients are offered a variety of services and supports including crisis prevention and intervention, symptom and behavior management, medication monitoring and management, linkage to desired community resources, supportive individual counseling, goal setting and treatment planning support, group counseling, skill teaching, psychoeducation, individual and systems level advocacy, family support. The program aims to support individuals to move through the stages of change and support personal recovery.

The RPN works within a changing environment and in inter-professional teams to advocate for and promote wellness while ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and ethical nursing care. The RPN shares his/her knowledge and expertise with others and contributes to the advancement of nursing practice excellence. The RN continually enhances his/her practice and competencies through ongoing learning, education, experience and reflective practice.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary role of the RPN is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centred quality care in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and Unity Health Toronto's mission, vision, values and policies. The RPN optimizes the patient's experience and care outcomes by:

• Being accountable for one's decisions and professional practice;
• Establishing a therapeutic relationship with the patient;
• Providing autonomous nursing care with patients considered stable and with predictable outcomes;
• Collaborating with other members of the patient's care team;
• Coordinating and communicating patient care activities to optimize the patient's experience and care outcomes; and
• Collaborating and consulting with Registered Nurses and other members of the care team in the care of patients with increasing instability and unpredictability and, when necessary, safely transferring care to the Registered Nurse.

The RPN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

Patient Care:

• Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs;
• Engages patients and families to assess the level of involvement of the patient/family in their care and integrates into care planning;
• Develops a plan of care and integrates nursing activities with other inter-professional activities;
• Engages in critical inquiry and reflection to select evidence-based interventions;
• Organizes nursing care based on patient care needs and priorities;
• Continuously gathers and analyzes clinical and other relevant data to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed;
• Anticipates and recognizes rapidly changing situations; and a patient's transition from stable to unstable, establishes priorities; and takes immediate appropriate action to collaborate and consult with the Registered Nurse;
• Provides health education using effective teaching strategies that takes into account the patient/family's learning needs, readiness, and motivation to learn;
• Collaborates with appropriate team members on patient care needs;
• Processes orders and seeks verification of orders from prescribers;
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision in a timely manner to facilitate a current and accurate record of the patient's status and enable effective inter-professional communication;
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning and other planning activities to facilitate care continuity and coordination; advocates for care needs to be met in most appropriate setting; and

Collaboration & Coordination

• Organizes patient care activities while working collaboratively with patients, families and the inter-professional team to achieve agreed-upon outcomes and optimize resource utilization for individual patients
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships within and across the hospital units/programs (and externally where appropriate for his/her patient population)
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition from one shift or setting/unit of care to another; ensures appropriate transfer of accountability from one care provider to another
• Participates in hospital committees and other groups to represent the RPN perspective and serve as a bridge to the unit/program and patient needs

Leadership & Professional Development

• Is accountable for his/her actions and decisions and practices in accordance with professional, legal and accreditation standards and evidence-based practice
• Aligns behavior with Unity Health Toronto's vision, mission and values and code of conduct; promotes nursing as a knowledge-based profession; and, supports the advanced of professional practice plans and initiatives
• Engages in self-reflection, performance review and ongoing learning
• Participates in mentoring, teaching and /or coaching students, co-workers and other regulated and unregulated health professionals
• Embraces change that leads to improved nursing practice and better patient outcomes
• Advocates for a safe and healthy work environment

Research

• Participates in or supports research projects
• Supports and participates in evidence based practice implementation and quality improvement initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Current Registration with College of Nurses of Ontario (General or Temporary Class)
• Successful completion of a Practical Nursing Diploma Program
• Two years of recent mental health and addictions nursing experience required; community or primary care setting preferred (recent within last 5 years), including caring for clients with addictions or substance abuse issues/ concurrent disorders
• BLS Certification
• Relevant knowledge and/or experience
• Ability to work collaboratively with other professions / disciplines in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven planning, time management, organization and coordination skills

As a condition of employment, all external hires will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or documentation unless a valid accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code exists. Please note, if you are extended an offer of employment, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination in Ontario QR Code format. All internal candidates must be in compliance with Unity Health Toronto's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

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