Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Medical Psychiatry - Consultation/Liaison Program

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Medical Psychiatry-Consultation Laison (C/L) Program provides advanced nursing care, develops enhanced processes and quality improvement initiatives to improve care at the medical-psychiatric interface across Unity Health Toronto’s St. Michael’s site. Working collaboratively with inpatient interprofessional teams, the CNS, Medical Psychiatry-Consultation Liaison (C/L) supports evidence-based mental health care, clinical consultation, education, quality improvement and system-level practice development. The CNS serves as a resource to healthcare teams managing patients with complex mental health, substance use, behavioral and psychosocial needs to enhance care to patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs

At Unity Health Toronto, a CNS must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

    • support the delivery of quality care to diverse patient population, and facilitate the development of comprehensive care plans in conjunction with the interprofessional team to enhance patient safety, outcomes, access to care, and experience
    • blend clinical expertise with education, knowledge translation, leadership and research skills to serve as a consultant and resource to nurses, nursing leadership, interprofessional teams and external partners in the process of decision-making, developing clinical guidelines and protocols, promoting the use of evidence, and facilitating system change

  • RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • The CNS works within 4 domains of practice . Performs cross functional and other duties as assigned and/or requested.

  • Clinical Domain:

    • Involved in direct and indirect patient care using a systems-oriented and population-focused approach
      • Triages psychiatry consultation referrals
      • Provides proactive consultation and clinical support to inpatient teams
    • Supports the nursing management of complex illness
      • Conducts advanced assessments of patients with complex medical and psychiatric presentations
      • Provides crisis intervention and disposition planning
      • Supports management of medically ill patients experiencing psychiatric complications
    • Collaborates with the interprofessional team in the development of comprehensive care plans for complex or high-risk patients
      • Applies advanced clinical expertise in assessment, data interpretation, and care planning at the medical-psychiatric interface
    • Acts as patient advocate and partners with patients and families
      • Improves care delivery for patients with co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions
    • Collaborates with internal and external partners for the transition and coordination of patient care, including discharge planning

  • Knowledge Translation

    • Critically appraises research and applies it to practice, quality and patient safety initiatives
    • Builds nursing capacity by supporting evidence based practice at the point of care
    • Mentors nursing students (undergraduate and graduate) and staff, e.g., professional development and quality improvement initiatives
    • Leads and collaborates in the development of education programs based on current evidence for patients/families, nurses and interprofessional team members, and evaluates system interventions to decrease risks and complications

  • Scholarship

    • Collaborates in research activities and quality improvement initiatives, incorporating patient satisfaction data
    • Mentors nurses in the development of abstracts, presentations and publications
    • Identifies opportunities to engage with research teams as co-investigators
    • Participates in presentations/publications of research and quality improvement initiatives
    • Eligible for cross appointments with affiliated/approved institutions to build coalitions, share resources, knowledge and expertise

  • Leadership

    • Leads and participates in developing corporate and unit/program policies, guidelines and other practice documents
    • Leads and participates in unit and hospital wide committees and working groups to develop, implement and sustain best patient care practices
    • Supports interprofessional collaboration in planning, implementation, evaluation and sustainability of local and corporate initiatives
    • Facilitates identification of opportunities for collaboration with academic and health care partners
    • Facilitates and leads team-based activities, e.g., clinical rounds, strategic planning

  • Competencies/Knowledge/Skills:

    • Demonstrated leadership skills in program/procedure planning and development
    • Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication skills
    • Demonstrated knowledge and skills in adult teaching and learning principles
    • Demonstrated working philosophy of client and family-focused care
    • Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills
    • Innovative and analytical problem-solving methods
    • Ability to work collaboratively in an interprofessional team environment
    • Ability to incorporate research and evidence-based practice
    • Ability to practice in a self-directed manner.
    • Ability to assess patients for potential risk and intervene appropriately

  • QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario in the General Class
    • Masters or doctoral degree in nursing
    • CNA certification in specialty area of mental health & addictions an asset
    • Minimum of 3-5 years experience working in a mental health & addictions clinical settings required
    • Previous experience as a CNS is an asset
    • Previous experience in consultation-liaison psychiatry and medically complex psychiatric populations is an asset
    • Evidence of implementing recovery focused care into practice
    • Demonstrated leadership in committee work, education, quality improvement, policy & procedure development, and knowledge translation initiatives
    • Strong project management skills and ability to lead program wide and/or corporate initiatives
    • Strong facilitation skills and expertise in using various methodologies including PDSA cycle, SWOT analysis, LEAN, Six Sigma, process mapping, etc. an asset
    • Evidence of ability to conduct reviews related to quality and safety
    • Proven program planning and evaluation skills and experience
    • Ability to collect and analyze data/trends, and then develop recommendations based on findings
    • Ability to develop strong and effective relationships and partnerships both internally and externally

  • Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.

  • #LI-MR1

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