Registered Nurse in Hamilton

The Acute Mental Health Unit (R1) located at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s West 5th Campus provides mental health care to patients suffering from acute symptoms of mental disorders. We have a complete interdisciplinary team available to meet the varied needs of our patients. Our goal is to assess and stabilize patients, and to reintegrate them back into the community at optimal levels of functioning.

The Registered Nurse provides care for patients in accordance with the mission, vision and values of SJHH and the Mental Health and Addiction Program (MHAP), the standards of practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario, and the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nursing (CFMHN) Standards. Nurses in the MHAP are committed to the alleviation of stigma and discrimination related to mental health and addiction, as well as reduction of the use of seclusion and restraint in all our services. The principles of person-centred nursing, recovery and trauma informed care is foundational to this specialized nursing practice.

As a member of the inter-professional team, the RN is responsible for the provision of quality, holistic, specialized nursing care for patients with complex mental illnesses. The RN provides safe, evidence-based therapeutic interventions across the care continuum. The RN completes assessments, plans and organizes treatment/therapeutic interventions, documents and evaluates interventions. The RN models professional leadership and provides decision-making support by collaborating and delegating within the inter-professional team. The opportunity to rotate through a 1-2 year term as charge nurse is available and provides excellent leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario required.
• CNA certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (CPMHN(c)), or commitment to complete within 5 years of hire as a condition of employment, is preferred.
• Current BCLS/HCP certification required.
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Training (or successful completion as part of clinical orientation) is required.
• Minimum of one year of recent mental health nursing experience with demonstrated knowledge, skill and ability in the care of patients with serious mental illness preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the application of the Mental Health Act, Consent and Capacity, and other legislation relevant to the practice of psychiatric/mental health nursing is required.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, professional standards and guidelines, SJHH corporate and departmental Policies and Procedures, including successful completion of WHMIS training.
• Knowledge of documentation standards, privacy legislation, and health record management processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the assessment and management of co-morbid medical disorders (ie. diabetes, metabolic monitoring, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge of Mental Status Examinations (MSE).
• Demonstrated knowledge of individual counseling and group skills (ie. DBT, MI, IPT, CBT, Behavioral Activation).
• Knowledge of risk assessment and management, including knowledge of trauma informed care and alternatives to seclusion and restraint, and associated risks.
• Knowledge and practice of safe and secure environment for clients/families/teams by listening, discussing, exploring, clarifying and acting on their concerns, needs and priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families.
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred.
• Proficient computer skills including successful completion of Resident Assessment Instrument – Mental Health (RAI-MH) training upon hire.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill related to crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated leadership, superior problem solving, critical thinking skills and strong team building skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and de-escalation skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychopharmacology, including current psychotropic medications and side effects.

Note: Tours on the secondary Acute Mental Health Unit (M1) will be scheduled in conjunction with successful applicant's Acute Mental Health Unit (R1) schedule and will be determined by the needs in both R1 and M1 and will include rotating shifts.