Duties

• Assess patients with severe and persistent mental illness who are at risk of hospitalization or re-hospitalization
• Assist individuals in the transition from an inpatient or emergency department setting to the community
• Consult, liaise and refer to community agencies to facilitate seamless transfer of care
• Liaise with psychiatrist and other providers to ensure continuity of care
• Monitor, evaluate and document response and efficacy of psychotropic medications and communicate these results where appropriate
• Provide brief supportive therapy
• Provide support and education regarding symptom management to individuals and their families
• Work as member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Advocate for clients’ rights and preferences and assist with system navigation
• Participate in data collection for statistical reporting
• Act as a direct support to SAH psychiatrists in the management of identified patients
• Willing to be trained with the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT)
• Provide assessments, psycho education and client-centered treatment plans in a supportive and culturally sensitive manner.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario in good standing

Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in assessing and treating mental illness across the life span
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with complex client needs (including psychopathology, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy)

Skills

• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of the standards of practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Knowledge of substance abuse and related disorders
• Demonstrated competency and ability to apply the Mental Health Act
• Demonstrated leadership skills, sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of antipsychotic medications and their side effects
• Demonstrated knowledge in the recognition of mental health diagnoses included but not restricted to schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and substance use
• Demonstrated understanding of the symptom presentation of dementia, delirium and depression
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills for both telephone and in person situations.
• Working knowledge of inpatient and community-based resources
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques associated with Crisis Intervention assessments and risk assessments

Ability

• Demonstrated ability to liaise with referral sources, community agencies and other team members to enhance positive patient outcomes.
• Demonstrated teaching, research, leadership and organizational skills
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to maintain successful working relationships; ability to meet and interact with people in a pleasant, professional, responsible and reassuring manner, both in person and on the telephone; tact, courtesy and alertness in public contacts.
• Ability to elicit critical information in stressful situations, and provide rapid assessment to formulate an immediate intervention.
• Demonstrated behaviour consistent with the Hospital’s iCcare Way

Note: Because of the changing nature of the work and work to be done, other responsibilities and duties may by assigned and qualifications may be adjusted from time to time. Only those selected for the test/ interview will be contacted.

Nurses will be selected on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume which they have attached to the posting application form. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview and/or testing where required.