Nurse Practitioner – Addictions Medicine
Company
Women's College Hospital
Women's College Hospital (WCH) is an academic, ambulatory care hospital in Ontario with a focus on health for women, health equity and health system solutions. If you're ready to be part of a team that is revolutionizing the future of healthcare, then you will want to join an institution where the possibilities for innovation, new discovery and system thinking are limitless. Women's College Hospital is committed to equity, quality and patient safety as key professional values and essential components of daily practice.With the mobilization of our 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, WCH has entered an exciting phase of its history – strengthening its bond with partners and introducing a new and inspiring vision: Healthcare revolutionized for a healthier and more equitable world.FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY:As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to the Hospital’s Occupational Health, Safety & Wellness department. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada and reside in Ontario.
Location
Toronto
Duties
An exciting and unique opportunity has been created for a Temporary Full-Time Nurse Practitioner with experience working with individuals with Addictions. The Substance Use Program (Addictions Medicine) at Women’s College Hospital (WCH) and the Jean Tweed Centre (JTC) are seeking for a Nurse Practitioner to work jointly in the Substance Use Service (Addictions Medicine) at WCH and in withdrawal management, intensive treatment and other services at JTC, providing trauma-informed and evidence-informed medical care.
The successful candidate will be required to work at and travel between WCH and the JTC located. This will be worked through with the successful candidate and the two organizations as the role will be three (3) days at WCH and two (2) days at JTC.
The Jean Tweed Centre (JTC) is a leading, community-based organization in Toronto that provides a supportive environment for women with substance use, mental health, and/or gambling concerns. Recognizing the diversity of women’s experience in today’s society, Jean Tweed’s programs seek to address a range of issues in a woman’s life that may contribute to substance use and gambling concerns.
The Substance Use Service (Addictions Medicine) at WCH takes a holistic approach to the assessment and ongoing management of all substance use disorders, including alcohol, opioids, cocaine, stimulants, benzodiazepines and cannabis. The interdisciplinary team strives to provide an integrated approach for patients who have problematic substance, including:
• Assessment of substance use concerns, review and implementation of treatment options including harm reduction, tapering and medication-assisted therapies
• Brief individual counselling
• Management of acute alcohol and opioid withdrawal, including admission to our 18hour short-stay unit
• Referral to community and residential treatment programs
• Education on harm reduction strategies including overdose prevention and naloxone distribution
Our service includes Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM) - a clinic where patients who are in urgent need of support regarding substance use can be seen without an appointment and no referral required
The Nurse Practitioner in the program will support this vision by providing comprehensive, evidence -based care for patients in the SUS Program and RAAM Clinic. Our programs at WCH – SUS and JTC will provide in person and virtual care visits (video or telephone). The ratio of these visit types will be based on the needs of the patients and the respective programs.
Summary of Duties, but not limited to:
• Works collaboratively with nursing colleagues, physicians, allied health team, patient/family to provide integrative patient- focused care for patients in the Substance Use Service Program
• Provide initial assessment and care planning for new RAAM patients in conjunction with the -Addiction Service Workers, Peer Support Worker and team physicians
• Supports patients’ needs when physician is away, if required.
• Provide evidence-based medication management for this patient population (including anti-craving medications for alcohol use disorder, opioid agonist treatment)
• Establishes a caring and therapeutic relationship with patients; demonstrates trust, respect, and honesty
• Support patients who are referred to WCH’s Acute Ambulatory Care Unit for management of alcohol withdrawal and initiation of opioid agonist therapy
• Advocates for patients by mobilizing resources and identifying and addressing gaps in service to meet supportive care needs of patients
• Uses ongoing evaluation of needs assessment to develop/initiate/modify the health care plan.
• Determines and implements required (adjust and/or discontinue) pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies as defined by medical directives and listed by the College of Nurses of Ontario RN(EC).
• Maintains leading edge nursing knowledge based on clinical research and literature review; contributes to nursing knowledge base through active participation in quality of care initiatives
• Collaborates on the development of program metrics to improve client, organization and system outcomes.
• Reviews data for program evaluation and makes recommendations for quality improvement.
• Takes a leadership role in the implementation and evaluation of quality improvement projects and / or education activity within WCH (staff and physicians) as part of their dedicated administrative time allocation
• As part of the health care team, acts as a change agent by advocating for and implementing new initiatives
• Supports the strategic direction of the hospital and the strategic plan of nursing by being actively involved in hospital program committees,
• Collaborates with other addiction care settings – this could involve providing consultation to affiliated withdrawal management/treatment sites, community practitioners, referring MDs from other sites, etc.
• Establishes potential community outreach/partnerships in order to provide ongoing support to Substance Use Service patients
The Withdrawal Management Service (WMS) at Jean Tweed Centre (JTC) provides care and treatment for women who use substances and are experiencing withdrawal. The NP will provide consultation, assessment and treatment to clients in the Centre’s 4 bed facility. The intensive programs provide in depth educational and counselling programs within a live-in or day treatment structure.
JTC Summary of Duties but not limited to:
• Develops a plan of care including pre-withdrawal planning and active withdrawal monitoring and management.
• Works closely with the WMS RPN and other service providers for the purposes of consultation, coordination and oversight of the medical aspects of withdrawal.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed.
• Determines the existence of current and potential health problems, provides nursing care and treatment.
• Provides education and counselling for WMS clients regarding substance use withdrawal, health concerns, and medication.
• Provides primary health care support to clients within the WMS, intensive treatment and other services of the Centre where needed.
Collaborates with other health care providers at the Centre as needed.
• Offers support in person and via virtual care such as video visit as needed to support care.
• Provides education, coaching and support to staff and students to enhance problem solving and decision-making, regarding primary and withdrawal management care to clients.
• Assume a leadership role in the engaging staff and other stakeholders in the development, implementation of the withdrawal management service.
• Provide recommendations regarding service gaps and necessary changes to enhance client and staff safety and/or quality of care.
• Documentation of work in accordance with occupational and organizational standards.
• Demonstrate accountability by holding self-responsible and following through on commitments.
• Work collaboratively including respect for others, sharing information, consulting and celebrating shared successes.
As a role model and champion, you will work to identify and integrate safe, best practices into daily activities to foster the delivery of safe and exemplary care.
The responsibilities described above are representative and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.
Requirements
• Masters’ Degree in Nursing is required.
• Primary Care or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification.
• Current registration in good standing with the College of Nurses in the Extended Class.
• Three (3) years’ of progressively responsible and related experience.
• Two (2) years’ experience as a Nurse Practitioner in acute care setting, experience in caring for patients with problematic substance use including in alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants and cannabis, preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• Experience managing withdrawal symptoms.
• Experience prescribing opioid agonist therapy (buprenorphine and methadone).
• Demonstrates clinical leadership skills.
• Excellent computer skills, specifically with Electronic Medical Records and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Telemedicine use an asset.
• Must have excellent organizational, assessment, communication, counseling, and teaching skills.
• Strong analytical abilities with knowledge and skill in critical thinking and decision-making.
• Works effectively as a strong team player and able to work independently.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy while remaining professional and respectful.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education, professional growth and maintenance of clinical competency is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in critical thinking and decision -making.
• Experience in quality improvement work is an asset.
• Demonstrated record of good performance and acceptable attendance will be considered as part of the selection criteria.
• Professional behavior and communication that meets the standards of the professional regulatory college or association, as applicable, and the standards of Women’s College Hospital.
• This position plays a critical role in acting as an advocate for safety and will demonstrate principles, practices and processes that will optimize a safe environment for all.
Closing Statement
Women's College Hospital is a fully affiliated teaching hospital of the University of Toronto and is committed to fairness and equity in employment and our recruitment and selection practices. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, members of racialized groups, women and any others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under our Access for People with Disabilities policy. Applicants need to make their requirements known in advance.
Start Date
2023-11-07
Hours
75 hours Bi-weekly
Salary
$55.526-$68.256 /hour
Contact
Name
Human Resources
Display Name
Human Resources
Address
76 Grenville St
Telephone
(416) 323-6400
Job Posting Link
Women's College Hospitalwebsite
Display Date
2023-09-29
Expiry Date
2023-11-11
