Nurse Practitioner - Eating Disorder

Title: Nurse Practitioner

Department: Eating Disorder Clinic

Position Number: 50066021

Hours of Work: Permanent Full-Time Position

Pay Band: $67.07-$76.29

Union: ONA

Location: Hotel Dieu Hospital 166 Brock Street, Kingston Ontario

DESCRIPTION

Nurse Practitioners (NP) are recognized for their expertise in a specialized area of practice. Nurse Practitioners ensure the deliberate, purposeful and integrated use of in-depth nursing knowledge, research and clinical expertise. It also involves integration of knowledge from other disciplines into the practice of nursing. NPs have the depth and breadth of knowledge required to provide a range of strategies to meet the complex needs of patients. They influence the practice of nurses by facilitating the integration of research-based knowledge into practice. They are involved in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating programs to meet patient needs through partnerships and intersectional collaboration. Their practice reflects substantial autonomy and independence with a high level of accountability. In addition, the NP may include activities in their practice that have been traditionally considered outside the scope of nursing practice. They fulfill the requirements for reflective practice mandated by the College of Nurses of Ontario regulatory body.

The NP working in Mental Health & Addiction Care will utilize their advanced nursing knowledge and skill to direct and provide optimal care to patients for specialized assessment and treatment. The NP will conduct physical/medical assessments; mental health and addictions risk assessments, and stabilization of patients, in addition to providing the full scope of nursing care to patients. This position will practice at a high level of autonomy within a collaborative practice, and will formulate clinical decisions and development of a patient care plan.

The Nurse Practitioner provides services in a manner consistent with KHSC’s Mission, Vision and Values and that reflects the core values of Patient and Family Centred Care (dignity, respect, information sharing, participation, and collaboration); practices in accordance with the standards of professional practice and ethical values as defined by the College of Nurses of Ontario; is accountable and responsible for the identification of knowledge and skills necessary to achieve competency within a given scope of practice; is able to demonstrate competencies that are essential for the delivery of safe and effective patient care; applies a unique set of skills and knowledge, and practices within the specified authority for performance of additional controlled acts; works as a member of an interdisciplinary team to promote and foster a culture of understanding and compassion with a large patient population; works to promote, restore and improve the patient’s independence, understanding of mental health and their role in its self-management; assist in the development of strategies to promote wellness and increase quality of life through education, specialized programming and a holistic approach to care towards the effort of reducing emergency department visits, hospital admissions and specialist referrals; consults and communicates effectively with patients, families, professionals, support personnel and other community agencies.

The role will be primarily clinical but the NP will have a research/evaluation and educative responsibility within the program; and participate in service and hospital wide activities and programs that model and promote a safe and healthy patient-centred environment and that contribute to quality improvement and risk management initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES INCLUDE:

Care Delivery System Responsibilities

• Develops and uses multiple assessment strategies within a patient-centered nursing framework for individual patients and the patient population.
• Discriminates and makes qualitative/quantitative distinctions from multiple sources of data, often in ambiguous and complex situations, when making clinical decisions.
• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding and analysis of the complex interaction of presenting sociological and biophysiological processes, determinants of health and patients’ lived experience.
• Draws on experiential knowledge and a body of current knowledge about the patient population to predict, anticipate and explain the wide range of patient responses to actual or potential health problems.
• Uses critical thinking and synthesis skills to guide decision-making in complicated, unpredictable and dynamic situations.
• Uses multiple interventions (e.g., interpersonal, teaching, coaching, counselling, technological, pharmaceutical) to influence patient health status and quality of life.
• Coordinates the plan of care and mobilizes patient and other resources to achieve integrated and comprehensive health care.
• Advocates with or on behalf of patients, nurses and other interdisciplinary team members to improve and enhance health care for individuals and the patient population in the practice area.
• Monitors, evaluates and documents outcomes of decisions and interventions.
• Uses clinical exemplars to generate new knowledge and develop new standards of care, programs, and policies in the practice area.
• Develops and implements medical directives, in collaboration with the program medical director, for specific clinical activities such as medication titration or the ordering of diagnostic procedures.
• Develops protocols for, and provides nursing care via telephone or other virtual methods to patients known to the program.

Leadership Approach Responsibilities

• Develops innovative approaches for complex practice issues and evaluates programs.
• Participates and provides leadership on intra- and interdisciplinary committees related to the development of policies and procedures, education or research in the practice area.
• Provides leadership in professional activities and professional development.
• Has a vision for nursing practice within the context of the health care system.
• Provides consultation to both colleagues and patients.
• Acts as a mentor to nursing colleagues and others to improve and support nursing practice.
• Interprets and organizes data obtained through information and communication technologies into information to affect nursing practice and combines information to contribute to knowledge development in nursing.

Professional Values

• Committed to providing evidence-based practice.
• Identifies and initiates research relevant to practice as the primary investigator or as a collaborator with other members of the health care team or community.
• Disseminates and facilitates the implementation of recent innovations and research findings relevant to nursing practice and patient outcomes.
• Applies a broad range of theories and relevant research to clinical practice.
• Evaluates present practice at the individual and system levels in light of current research findings.
• Interprets research findings and shares relevance to clinical practice.
• Engages patients and other team members in anticipating, discussing and resolving moral, ethical and legal issues relevant to patient care at individual and organizational levels.
• Committed to the values of the profession of nursing.
• Carries out role in a way that embodies the mission and values of the hospital.
• Supports the hospital system to address ethical issues within nursing and the organization.
• Protects and promotes the rights of patients and families.
• Provides patients and families with access to valid information related to care.
• Maintains privacy, confidentiality, and security of patient, staff and organizational data.
• Advocates for patients and families as the major decision-makes with respect to their care.
• Respects the well-being, beliefs and wishes of others.
• Ensures informed and voluntary consent to care, treatment and participation in research.

Professional Relationships

• Communicates effectively with the patient and members of the health care team.
• Respects the practice and knowledge of other members of the health care team.
• Shares decision-making with patients and health care team members.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in conflict resolution including the ability to analyze, manage and negotiate conflict.

Organization and Professional Development

• Develops professional relationships with appropriate community resources/individuals, offering information and education as indicated.
• Contributes to and participates in quality improvement processes.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the legislative and socio-political issues that influence decision-making and develops strategies to influence health outcomes and health policies.
• Educates other nurses, health professionals and patients about the link between nursing interventions and outcomes in order to effect health care changes.
• Participates in the systematic, interdisciplinary and ongoing evaluation of programs, processes and desired patient-centered outcomes.
• Develops professional partnerships with the School of Nursing, and participates in the education of undergraduate and graduate students.

NOTE - The above duties are representative but are not to be construed as all-inclusive.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as Registered Nurses in the Extended Class, (EC)
• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from an Ontario University or equivalent
• Masters or Doctoral degree in nursing with a clinical specialty from a Canadian University or equivalent
• Membership with a professional organization such as CNA, RNAO or NPAO
• Each NP maintains and continually improves his/her competence by participating in the College of Nurses of Ontario’s Quality Assurance requirements
• Knowledge of eating disorders, impact of eating disorders on health/functioning.
• 2 years’ experience in the area of Mental Health preferred
• 2 years experience working with children and youth preferred
• CNA Certification or equivalent where appropriate for clinical area preferred
• Experience in an ambulatory care environment preferred
• Demonstrated ability with assessment, diagnosis, management and care coordination of mental health patients
• Demonstrated clinical practice at an expert level
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and challenging patients
• Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with conflict situations and proactively and effectively resolve issues impacting on quality and continuity of care
• Demonstrated ability to educate staff, patients and families
• Commitment to standards of excellence, accountability and providing positive patient experience
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member, and function as a change agent and within a leadership role
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Good working knowledge of relevant legislation including: Personal Health Information Act, Regulated Health Professional Act (RHPA), Public Hospitals Act, Copyright legislation, Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Demonstrated interpersonal, communication, and organization skills
• Evidence of strong mentoring, teaching, team building, change leadership, organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to work well in stressful situations
• Capable of coping with a physically demanding workload
• Demonstrated critical thinking and decision making skills, and ability make evidence based decisions
• Proven good attendance record
• Proficiency in speaking and comprehending both English and French preferred
• This job posting is subject to the provisions of the Attendance Management Policies. Please refer to the Attendance Management policies for more information (policies can be found on the KHSC Intranet site)
• Current enhanced security clearance (criminal reference check) for vulnerable populations administered by the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC)
• BCLS certification at the Health Care Provider level

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The applicant must be able to meet the physical demands of this position.

KHSC is located on the ancestral lands and waters of the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee and serves a wider geographical area that encompasses many Indigenous communities including Tyendinaga, Katarokwi, as well as communities within the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority. As we partner in care, discovery, and learning to achieve better health outcomes for our communities, KHSC is committed to actively advocating for and acting upon the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action on Health.

Unless specifically stated, all job postings are for existing positions at KHSC. KHSC is committed to recruitment practices that support and contribute to building a respectful, diverse and inclusive workplace in compliance with legislation such as the Employment Standards Act and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. We welcome all applications from women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, persons in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and members of other equity deserving groups.

Kingston Health Sciences Centre may use artificial intelligence systems to assess and screen applicants. All hiring decisions are made in accordance with KHSC policies and applicable employment legislation.

We thank all applicants, but only those selected for next steps will be contacted. Kingston Health Sciences Centre is committed to inclusive and accessible employment practices. If you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process, please notify the Recruitment Team.