Clinical Nurse Specialist - MRHH C3 Purple Mental Health
Permanent Full Time
Reporting to the Program Director of Mental Health, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role will lead and anchor best practices in Mental Health across Mackenzie Health Hospital sites. The CNS will work collaboratively with the Mental Health Leadership team to improve clinical outcomes for patients living with mental illness through advanced nursing practice, program planning and delivery, consultation, research and its application, education, efficient resource utilization and capacity building. The CNS will work with the leadership team to develop and implement a mental health strategy for the mental health program. Grounded in research and utilizing population data and assessment of the mental health needs of Mackenzie Health’s service area, the CNS will work with the leadership and interdisciplinary team to ensure that the programs and services are aligned with the Regional, Provincial and National Mental Health Strategy.
Contribute to safe, quality care by:
- Supporting interprofessional collaborative care, standardization of practice across sites, participate and/or facilitate quality improvement projects and quality reviews focusing on patient safety and supervise grad students.
- Participate in program planning and evaluation; support development of care pathways to enhance patient outcomes; play an active role on internal and external committees; and serve as a clinical resource in program-level and organizational level strategic planning activities for both inpatient and outpatient services.
- Participating in strategic planning for program, co-lead workgroups to develop workplans to meet goals and objectives of strategic plan within specified timelines, liaising and consulting with relevant community agencies and service providers.
- Developing innovative program and plan outcome measures and metrics (e.g. obtaining client feedback, conducting pre- and post- surveys, monitoring length of stay, readmission rates, reduction of secondary complications, and knowledge of staff providing care).
- Facilitating teams to incorporate and adopt effective delivery of competent, compassionate patient centered care.
- Identifies recurring clinical issues/problems and communicates findings/suggestions for change appropriately.
- Understanding legislative and standards driven issues that influence health policy and use this knowledge to build strategies to improve patient care and/or health care access.
- Identifying the learning needs and learning methodologies of nurses and other members of healthcare team in order to develop programs, disseminate knowledge and resources to meet those needs.
- Planning, initiating, coordinating, and evaluating specialized education programs for patients, families, health professionals and/or clinical partners based on needs, priorities, organizational resources and quality patient care.
- Contributing to, and advocate for, an organizational culture that supports professional growth, continuous learning and collaborative practices.
- Identifying and evaluating clinical research and incorporates findings into patient care, departmental/organizational program planning, where appropriate.
- Identifying opportunities to participate in research, publish in clinical journals and present at conferences.
- Evaluating better client outcomes, and/or health-care delivery.
- Participating in and provides leadership on interprofessional committees as they pertain to the select patient population.
- Sharing expertise, providing consultation and advocating as required at the regional, provincial, national level in area of specialty.
- Participating in program and discipline specific committees and task groups.
What must you have?
- Current certificate of competence and member in good standing from the College of Nurses of Ontario as an RN or RN (EC).
- Master’s Degree in Nursing required.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse providing services in psychiatric care and mental health.
- Current CPR certificate, Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Level C.
What else do you bring?
- Knowledge of mental health best practices, community services, and crisis response.
- Proven ability in independent and collaborative decision-making.
- Demonstrates advanced knowledge and synthesis of teaching and learning theories for individuals and groups.
- Participates in learning needs assessment related to the professional development of nurses and others.
- Identifies individuals and systems facilitators and barriers to professional education.
- Identifies and/or creates resources for learning.
- Advanced clinical knowledge, program design and evaluation, project management and implementation of evidenced based practice.
- Superior interpersonal, coaching, and leadership skills to facilitate identification and development of staff learning needs.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development.
- A strong desire and capacity to promote professional practice and excellence in evidence-based, patient centered care.
- Ensures best practice standards of care and strong interprofessional team functioning in collaboration with the care team, partnering physicians, Program Director.
- Evidence of program design and resource development skills.
- Self-directed, works independently and able to effectively lead project teams to achieve outcomes.
- Effective communication skills, engages others, and is a reflective listener and learner.
- Demonstrated knowledge of evaluation methodologies.
- Proven analytical thinking, problem recognition, proactive problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Proficient with computer programs including; Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, & Outlook.
- Working knowledge of the College of Nurses of Ontario standards of practice.
- Proven attendance record.
- Demonstrates understanding and complies with patient and staff safety policies and procedures that foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the job.
- Effectively uses empathy in interactions with others.
- Demonstrates behaviours consistent with Mackenzie Health’s Commitment to Caring.
- Models behaviour that is aligned with the values of Mackenzie Health – Excellence, Leadership and Empathy.
- Commitment to providing an exceptional experience for staff and clients within a challenging and exciting health care environment.
Preferably, your profile also includes:
- National certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from the Canadian Nurses Association.
- Experience with CBTp (preferred).
- Minimum 3 years leadership experience.
- Working knowledge of Viso computer program.
*You may be required to work at any site of Mackenzie Health.
FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS: As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to Mackenzie Health's Occupational Health and Safety department.
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Mackenzie Health is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer committed to providing accommodations for applicants upon request at any stage of the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
