The Concurrent Disorders Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program is a new innovative partnership initiative between Unity Health Toronto (St. Michael’s Site) and Toronto Public Health. The program relies on an inter-professional team to provide community-based assertive community treatment services (home visits, community visits) to individuals living with serious mental illness and substance use disorders in downtown Toronto.

The RN 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 RN 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The primary role of the RN is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centered quality care in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and SMH's mission, vision, values and policies. The RN 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;
• Collaborating with other members of the patient's care team; and,
• Coordinating and communicating patient care activities.

The RN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

Patient Care:

• Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs
• 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 and assigns or changes nursing care activities where appropriate
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed
• Anticipates, recognizes and addresses rapidly changing situations
• Provides health education to patients and their families using effective teaching strategies
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning
• Refers patient to other agencies or services as needed

Collaboration & Coordination:

• Serves as the primary resource for organizing and coordinating patient care activities
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition and appropriate transfer of accountability
• Participates in hospital committees and other groups

Leadership

• Aligns behavior with SMH's vision, mission and values and Code of Conduct
• Supports the advancement of professional practice
• Utilizes effective judgment in assigning patient care activities
• 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

Other Responsibilities:

• Engages in strategies to form therapeutic relationships with newly referred clients.

• Performs comprehensive assessments and completes biopsychosocial histories for the purpose of care planning.

• Initiates, leads and participates in collaborative care planning with clients’ circle of care.

• Provides preventive health teaching in the areas of physical, mental and sexual health.

• Provides skill teaching to enhance relapse prevention and symptom control.

• Provides medication support which includes administering prescribed medications, monitoring their effectiveness, assessing client compliance with treatment and providing practical assistance managing medications. Links clients to regular appointments with physicians and pharmacies.

• Performs metabolic monitoring.

• Assesses and identifies signs of relapse, mobilizes resources and interviews to prevent the onset, escalation or prolongation of a crisis. Teaches client relapse prevention and crisis management techniques.

• Assesses substance use. Engages, encourages and links clients with substance use treatment services and necessary supports. Links clients with necessary supports.

• Assesses and evaluates health issues related to substance use. Health teaches regarding interactions of prescribed medications and street drugs.

• Engages in general assessment of daily living skills. Provides practical assistance with the following activities: hygiene, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, purchase and care of household items and clothing/personal care products. Assists client to modify the environment as necessary.

• Assesses housing, financial and social support requirements. Provides practical assistance in activities of daily living.

• Facilitates vocational and educational opportunities.

• Must be willing to provide rotational on-call, evenings and/or weekend availability as directed by the Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have Current General Class (Practicing) Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario, Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred
• BLS Certification
• Minimum two years recent experience in psychiatric/mental health and/or substance use nursing required
• Community mental health and/or substance use nursing experience preferred
• Knowledge of recovery theory as it applies to community mental health settings
• Knowledge of case management models and case management functions
• Knowledge of community resources in downtown Toronto
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of the Mental Health Act of Ontario
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in the care of patients with severe mental illness and substance use disorders
• Excellent assessment and crisis intervention skills
• Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing certification preferred
• Addictions diploma/certificate preferred
• Excellent attendance record is required
• Ability to work collaboratively with other professions / disciplines in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven planning, time management, organization and coordination skills

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.