Registered Nurse - Substance Use Service (SUS)

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Ontario is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide holistic and specialized care for patients with complex mental illnesses, particularly in harm reduction. The role includes assessments, planning therapeutic interventions, and following up post-discharge. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of harm reduction nursing experience and be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario. This position emphasizes collaborative practice within a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of recent direct harm reduction nursing experience required.
• Two years of recent mental health nursing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic, specialized nursing care for complex mental illnesses.
• Complete assessments, plan and organize therapeutic interventions.
• Model professional leadership within the inter-professional team.

Skills

Harm reduction nursing experience

Crisis intervention

Individual counseling techniques

Interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Education

Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario

BCLS/HCP certification

Certificate in addictions/concurrent disorders

Job description

UNIT PROFILE

The Substance Use Service (SUS) is a multidisciplinary team made up of physicians, nurses, a mental health worker and peer support providers (individuals with lived experience). The Substance Use Service (SUS) works under the umbrella of the Concurrent Disorders Capacity Building Team and in strong partnership with the RAAM Clinic and the Concurrent Disorders Outpatient Team. The team supports individuals presenting to the emergency department and those later being admitted to hospital who use substances. The team also provides follow up care for individuals who have discharged hospital and works alongside individuals to connect them to outpatient care; hospital and/or community-based health care services. The team operates from a harm reduction lens that allows patients the space and autonomy to make their own choices regarding both their substance use and their health choices. Services include assessment, consultation, shared care and capacity building across St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and community partners.

POSITION SUMMARY

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‑centered 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 including transition to the community. The RN completes assessments, plans and organizes treatment/therapeutic interventions, documents and evaluates interventions. The community outreach includes follow up post discharge, wound care and harm reduction supply distribution. The RN models professional leadership and provides decision‑making support by collaborating and delegating within the inter‑professional team.

This position requires active involvement in program evaluation and research through partnership with the Boris Centre.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario required.
• Current BCLS/HCP certification required.
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Training (or successful completion as part of clinical orientation) is required.
• Minimum five years of recent direct harm reduction nursing experience working with an evidence‑informed framework required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of addiction medicine is required.
• Knowledge of harm reduction equipment and distribution in the community.
• Community based experience in overdose response.
• Minimum of two years of recent mental health nursing experience working with an evidence‑informed concurrent disorder addiction framework preferred.
• One year of experience in health teaching, group facilitation and program development 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‑morbidity 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.
• 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.
• Good work performance and attendance record is essential.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychopharmacology, including current psychotropic medications and side effects.

HARM REDUCTION‑SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five years of recent direct harm reduction nursing experience working with an evidence‑informed framework required.
• 2 years in a mental health specific environment.
• Evidence of ongoing advanced addictions education from an accredited educational institution preferred.
• Completion of a certificate program in addictions/concurrent disorders from an accredited educational institution preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in the identification, management and treatment of withdrawal symptoms through pharmacological and clinical interventions.
• Demonstrated competence in evidence‑based addiction individual and group‑based counselling techniques and interventions (Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Harm Reduction).
• Proven track record of providing clinical support to patients with complex addiction/medical issues transitioning from hospital to community.
• Provides clinical leadership by acting as a resource, change agent, facilitator, coordinator, role model and advocate.
• Demonstrated track record in providing leadership to the interdisciplinary team in utilizing evidence‑based treatment for addictions/concurrent disorders, and demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning skills.
• Extensive experience in utilizing innovative teaching techniques including workshops, webinars and coaching to promote knowledge translation in the treatment of patients with addictions/concurrent disorders.