Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health

• Performs initial psychiatric assessment upon admission.
• Provides holistic assessment of and care for patients and families with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance and rehabilitation.
• Completes health histories and physical examinations.
• Develops and coordinates a plan of care that considers the individual patient’s health status, preferences, as well as best practice guidelines and current evidence-based research.
• Formulates and communicates diagnoses, determines the need for medical orders and any necessary diagnostic tests, as per scope of practice, including labs, X-rays, ECG’s and ultrasounds, and interprets and acts on the results.
• Maintains ongoing psychiatric follow up care.
• Monitors the ongoing therapy of patients with chronic stable illnesses by providing pharmacologic and counseling interventions; may prescribe, initiate, monitor and adjust psychotropic medication.
• Prescribes medications within scope of practice.
• Maintains ongoing patient documentation, including assessment findings, treatment plans and progress.
• Offers phone consultation/triage for acute episodic illness.
• Consistently records and documents in the patient’s electronic health record.
• Evaluation of outcomes of patient care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Works in a manner to ensure safety to oneself, patients and their families, colleagues and the work environment.
• Assists in the training and development of staff as required.
• Arranges follow-up appointments as necessary.

• Clinical consultation to create individualized plans of care.
• Consults with and makes recommendations to the psychiatrists.
• Liaises with other interprofessional team members, other service providers, relevant community agencies/programs.
• In keeping with professional standards of practice, obtains and/or disseminates only that information which is relevant to meeting the patient’s identified needs and with appropriate legal authorization, either in the form of signed consents or direct authorization from the patient or designated substitute decision-maker.
• Utilization of expert communication skills by being a link between the patient, consultants, resources and the referral source which may be required to coordinate the provision of service to the patient.
• Communicates with hospital and community staff and other inter-professional team members as required to ensure smooth transition for care.

• Engages in scholarly activities, such as research, teaching, presentations and/or publications.
• Continues to update clinical skills and keep abreast of best practices, relevant resources and technological advancements through continuing education opportunities
• Engages in continuous quality improvement to improve care at both individual and team levels.
• Assists with developing and implementing practice standards, policies and quality improvement initiatives.
• Assists with program evaluation and makes recommendations for change in consultation with Program Director, Managers, Clinical Practice Leaders, Chief and Physician Leaders.
• Participates in reflective practice as per identified College standards.

• Masters in Nursing/Nurse Practitioner (MN-NP) or Masters of Science in Nursing with successful completion of a post Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program from a recognized school of graduate studies required.
• Current College of Nurses of Ontario registration in the Extended Class (EC) as an NP (adult) or NP (primary health care).
• 1-3 years of demonstrated experience as a Nurse Practitioner required with extensive mental health experience.
• Certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing through the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA) or willingness to obtain when eligible to do so.
• Current membership in professional associations:

• Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)
• Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO)
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Certification
• Advanced nursing assessment skills and sound knowledge of clinical therapeutics/interventions.
• Demonstrates effective patient/family counseling skills.
• Excellent organizational, critical appraisal, problem-solving, analytical skills and time management skills.
• Hospital- based psychiatric/mental health care experience.
• An awareness and Knowledge/experience in Trauma Informed Care preferred
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, with demonstrated competency in information and communication technology (Computer, Microsoft Office).
• Comfort with scheduling and documentation in electronic health records. Familiarity with Meditech system preferred.
• Embraces a philosophy of patient and family centered care.
• Ability to prioritize multiple competing workload demands.
• Demonstrates an ability to provide leadership, support and critical analysis in stressful, complex clinical and emotional situations.
• Demonstrates a high level of initiative and self-direction.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must have working knowledge of anti-oppression/pro-diversity framework.
• Familiar and comfortable with technology-assisted healthcare delivery, specifically video conferencing using MS teams, OTN, etc
• Ability to use mobile technologies such as smartphones and tablets to connect patients to appointments
• Excellent attendance and a discipline free record is required (candidates are required to inform HR and the hiring manager of their attendance and discipline status).
• Capacity to adapt quickly to a fast paced, dynamic work environments

• An understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles as they relate to health practices is an asset. Humber River Health values lived and learned experiences in addressing systemic barriers and advancing inclusive practices.

Humber River Health