Registered Practical Nurse - Mood Disorders

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Ontario seeks a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) for the Mood Disorders Program. The successful candidate will provide specialized mental health care to adults, working within a multidisciplinary team to optimize treatment strategies. Required qualifications include current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario and at least one year of psychiatric nursing experience. Strong communication, organizational skills, and a commitment to reducing restraint usage are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario is required.
• Minimum of 1 year recent related clinical experience in psychiatric mental health nursing is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience facilitating clinical groups of 8-10 clients is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized mental health care to adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Assess, plan, and implement nursing care under the direction of the Registered Nurse.
• Commit to reducing the use of restraint and seclusion.

Skills

Communication techniques

Clinical experience in psychiatric mental health nursing

Therapeutic communication

Crisis intervention skills

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Education

Educational program for Registered Practical Nurse

Asepsis Technique and Medication Administration certification

Current BCLS/HCP certification

Tools

MS Word

Patient information systems

Job description

UNIT PROFILE

The Mood Disorders Program employs a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, vocational rehabilitation therapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, and research staff who assess and treat individuals with unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. The Program optimizes a variety of proven treatment strategies (pharmacotherapy, group therapies, psychoeducation) with the aim of controlling the symptoms of a mood disorder, as well as supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of the person.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), under the Standards of Practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario and the Department of Nursing, functions as a member of the nursing team to provide specialized mental health care to adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Under direction from the Registered Nurse, basic knowledge, decision-making and communication techniques are employed in assessing, planning and implementing nursing care. The RPN will be committed to reducing and ultimately eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current registration with the College of Nurse of Ontario required.
• Successful completion of a provincially recognized educational program for a Registered Practical Nurse.
• Asepsis Technique and Medication Administration certificate required.
• Current BCLS/HCP certification required.
• Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families.
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year recent related clinical experience in psychiatric mental health nursing is required; Mood Disorders experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Psychiatric Nursing, Mental Health and Mental Illness is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience facilitating and co-facilitating clinical groups of 8-10 clients is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience administering clinical scales such as HAM-D, YMRS, YBOCS, RBANS, PANSS, START is required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with professionalism and in a sensitive and non-judgemental manner with psychiatric patient to promote positive outcomes required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of therapeutic communication and counselling with a clear ability to apply knowledge to practice.
• Demonstrated ability to document according to standards of nursing practice required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and integration of the BPG and Recovery Principles into day-to-day clinical practice required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current psychotropic medications including side effects is required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective therapeutic relationships with increased knowledge base of need for adherence to therapeutic boundaries required.
• Demonstrated excellent problem-solving, workload management, and organizational skills required.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and continuous quality improvement.
• Basic skill level with computers, MS Word, internet searches, data entry, and patient information systems.
• Good work performance and attendance record required.
• Demonstrated competence (knowledge/skills/attitude) in the use of non-violent physical crisis interventions, trauma-informed care and other best practices available to promote healing and recovery.

St. Joseph’s Nursing Vision is to make a difference in the lives of those we care for, our organization, and the future of our community through achievement of excellence in nursing and commitment to a culture of nursing innovation, empowerment, leadership and accountability.