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.

The Starting Treatment Early for Psychosis Service (STEPS) for Youth program is designed to provide early intervention services for youth experiencing signs and symptoms of a first episode of psychosis aged 16 to 25. Clients may also be homeless and have problems with drugs or alcohol. The program offers assessment, treatment and case management services are provided by an interdisciplinary team including: psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy and social work. The team uses an recovery-oriented approach and uses an outreach services to meet clients in their homes or in the community.

In the capacity of Registered Nurse, the successful candidate will be responsible for youth-oriented, innovative approaches to engaging therapeutically in the community with young individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis and concurrent substance use issues. The Registered Nurse will be responsible for an individual caseload, and complete thorough biopsychosocial assessments; develop strengths-based comprehensive plans of care; provide crisis support; and engage in community-based treatment and psychosocial interventions (including educational, vocational, social-recreational interventions and family support and education). In particular, the Registered Nurse will be called upon to provide specialized expertise in substance abuse counselling and applying harm reduction strategies for this population. The successful candidate will also engage in program development, research, evaluation, student and public education.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The primary role of the RN is to provide holistic, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, patient-centred 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

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have Current General Class (Practicing) Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• BLS Certification
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Certification with the CNA is preferred
• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing is an asset
• Community-based Mental Health Nursing experience working with patients who have serious mental illness and concurrent substance use, is preferred
• Experience applying substance abuse counselling and harm reduction strategies with hard-to-engage clients, preferably youth, is preferred
• Knowledge of early intervention engagement, assessment, treatment and psychosocial support strategies used with individuals who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis and concurrent substance abuse issues, is required; demonstrates excellent clinical skills in applying this knowledge
• Knowledge of case management models/case management functions, community resources, psychosocial rehabilitation and strengths-based approaches, is required
• Excellent knowledge of psychopharmacological interventions for psychosis, is required
• Ability to demonstrate excellent family support and psychoeducation skills
• Research skills (including application of research to clinical practice), plus experience initiating and evaluating innovative program activities are an asset
• Excellent knowledge and skills related to facilitating groups for individuals experiencing psychosis are an asset
• Professional, student and public education skills are an asset
• 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.