Registered Practical Nurse

As one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centers, The Royal has a clear purpose: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. This is at the core of everything we do and it is driven by the passion, focus, and dedication of our employees. Every day, the work that we do transforms the lives of people with mental illness through specialized mental healthcare, advocacy, research, and education.

This position supports the Behaviour Supports Services to Long-Term Care Homes (LTCH). The goal is to assist in the management of responsive behaviors for older adults in a variety of community Long Term Care Homes (LTCH), in order to foster a supportive care environment, optimized quality of life, and prevent unnecessary psychiatric admissions and emergency room visits. It is a change-agent role you will work with comprehensive staff, administrators, residents & their families in collaboration with ROMHC Geriatric Psychiatry Outreach services to Long Term Care Homes. This includes direct practice, education, research, and ongoing evaluation

Duties:

• Establish positive working relationships with the staff of LTCH.
• Work in direct collaboration with funded BSO Champions in LTC supporting staff, residents, and families
• As a change agent support and drive the implement BSO Provincial best practices
• Develop alliances and confer best practice approaches to improve the care of elderly residents with mental health issues, with a particular emphasis on dementia care and related behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
• Participate in joint practice partnership with the Geriatric Psychiatrists Outreach team managing elderly residents of LTCH who generally have complex medical, mental health and behavioral issues
• Support and assist staff and family members in the development of behavioral care strategies/plans and monitor residents’ responses over time.
• Provide ongoing follow-up and support for the LTCH staff, working with residents who present with complex care issues and their families.
• Facilitate transfer of knowledge into practice and enhance staff’s ability to manage responsive behaviors and care plan interventions through role modeling, coaching, mentoring, and non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches.
• Work in a manner that is in compliance with staff and patient/client safety practices, policies, and procedures of The Royal.
• Ensure a work environment that is conducive to the Royal’s Anti-Racism, Harassment, & Discrimination Free Workplace Policy
• Other assigned duties as required.

Education

• Collaborate with LTCH management and staff to identify staff learning needs in regard to geriatric psychiatry and behavior management to improve the quality of care for the residents.
• Implement both formal and informal learning opportunities for all levels of staff (Administrators, RNs, RPNs, Health Care Aides, Recreologists, and Housekeepers) with
• Participate in Community Investment Fund Project #7118 education initiatives as requested by PRC.

Continuous Quality Improvement

• With Outreach Team, ensure that measures are in place to capture outreach activities and that the level of satisfaction of patients, families, and community caregivers is consistently monitored so that interventions can be better tailored to meet needs and expectations

Qualifications:

• Graduate of a recognized Diploma Program in Practical Nursing.
• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Knowledge of CNO Standards regarding RPN scope of practice.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating groups.
• Certification in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and Gerontology is preferred or willing to obtain.
• A minimum of two years of recent experience in Geriatric Nursing and Psychiatry is preferred.
• A clear understanding of MHA and relevant legislation.
• GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approach) training and P.I.E.C.E.S. training, or other related dementia care training is preferred or willing to obtain.
• Up-to-date knowledge of community resources appropriate for the geriatric population and how to access them.
• Knowledge of Psychiatric Nursing practice as articulated in the Canadian Standards of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Practice.
• Knowledge of changes associated with the aging process and areas of vulnerability.
• Knowledge of psychopharmacology and problems that complicate drug therapy with seniors.
• Demonstrated team skills in planning, delivering, and evaluating clinical, educational, and research programs.
• WHMIS update in preceding 12 months.
• Fire Training update in the past 12 months.
• CPR Certification within the last 12 months.
• Completion of Prevention of Violence in the Workplace training (C.P.I.) required. ( within the last 2 years)
• Recognized ability for demonstrating self-knowledge, and strong leadership and communication skills and acts as a role model to build and maintain positive collegial relationships.
• Basic computer skills are required.
• Valid class G driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• English level A- is mandatory in oral expression, comprehension, reading & writing. Being bilingual (French/English) is considered an asset.

Salary Range:

• All applicants must provide a recent resume that clearly indicates that they meet the required qualifications.
• The Royal sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in a career with us; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
• All new hires will be required to obtain a clear and valid Criminal Record or Vulnerable Sector Records Check as a pre-condition of employment.
• The Royal is an equal-opportunity employer. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the recruitment process.