Job Description

The Registered Nurse, under the Standards of Practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario and the Department of Nursing, functions as a member of the nursing team to provide preventative, restorative, educational and/or supportive care. Excellent knowledge, critical thinking, decision making and communication techniques are employed in assessing, planning and implementing nursing care.
Reporting to the Manager of the Brant Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, the Registered Nurse works as an interdisciplinary team member to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support and crisis intervention services in the form of case management for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness in the clients’ environment of choice. The program operates seven days per week and shift work will be required.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario required
• Knowledge of the Assertive Community Treatment Team Model and ACTT Standards will be an asset.
• A minimum of 3-5 years’ experience with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, both inpatient and outpatient in the community, preferred
• Specialty in substance abuse and/or addictions counseling will be an asset
• Experience in forensic/dual diagnosed/developmental delay will be an asset
• Venipuncture and administering Long Acting Injection (LAI) skills and experience is an asset
• Knowledge of the Brantford and Six Nations communities, in particular the service systems (e.g., social, vocational, financial, housing) in both communities for individuals with serious mental illness, is a strong asset
• Demonstrated knowledge, skill and experience in psychosocial rehabilitation (SPI), conducting mental status examinations, assessing, managing and evaluating crisis situations, assessing risk for suicide through the use of Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, conducting physical assessments and developing treatment plans for clients living in the community is required
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms, intervention strategies and treatment modalities of a variety of psychiatric disorders
• Knowledge of current psychotropic medications including psychotropic treatment therapeutic effects
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective professional and therapeutic relationships
• Knowledge of Mental Health Reform, the Mental Health Act, and other appropriate legislation
• Demonstrated leadership and teaching skills, commitment to professional development, and ability to work effectively in a team
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible in work assignments and work effectively under pressure
• Must have a good attendance record
• Demonstrated computer skills
• A valid driver’s license, cell phone and use of a vehicle with relevant insurance to transport clients is required.
• Demonstrates competence (knowledge/skills/attitude) in the use of non-violent physical crisis interventions, trauma-informed care and other best practices available to promote healing and recovery.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Participates as a generalist on a multidisciplinary ACTT team to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support and crisis intervention services for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.
• Practice according to a recovery framework
• Conducting mental status exams
• Assessing risk for suicide through the use of Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale,
• Conducting physical assessments and screening for potential psychotropic treatment side effects including Extrapyramidal Symptoms (Akathisia, Acute dystonia, Parkinsonism, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), Tardive dyskinesia), and screening for Metabolic Syndrome
• Assessing, managing and evaluating crisis situations
• Demonstrate a holistic approach in nursing practice
• Act as a part of a multidisciplinary team share the responsibility for treatment, and rehabilitation to support clients. All team members assist each other and work with all clients as per Ontario ACTT standards.
• Provide individualized, direct support to clients in client’s chosen environment to meet their unique care needs including housing search, independent living skills, finances, healthy living, grocery shopping, hygiene routines, medication routines, accompaniment to appointments, etc.
• May assist clients with activation of ADLs (e.g.: walking to and from car, climbing stairs into client homes, taking bus, assist lifting/carrying groceries at a store etc.)
• Complete chart notes of client interaction in a timely manner as CNO and hospital policy. Chart notes are on electronic medical record (EMR) – Dovetale. Charting may occur on laptops when working with clients in the community
• Decisions to ensure safety of all clients, staff and public is a priority for this team.
• Required training includes Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training and Community Safety Training.
• All staff must abide to ‘Working alone’ procedures and report any health and Safety concerns to program manager.
• May include rotating coverage as Office Nurse, working 8:30 am-4:30 pm

St. Joseph’s Nursing Vision is to make a difference in the lives of those we care for, our organization, and the future of our community through achievement of excellence in nursing and commitment to a culture of nursing innovation, empowerment, leadership and accountability.