Registered Practical Nurse - Medical Withdrawal Service

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Medical Withdrawal Service (MWS) and the Concurrent Addiction Inpatient Treatment Service (CAITS), now one expanded inpatient service within the Acute Care Program at CAMH.

We are seeking a full-time, permanent Registered Practical Nurse to join this supportive and collaborative team. The expanded MWS serves adult clients with severe substance use and / or complex pain disorders who require medically-supervised withdrawal and initiation of medications to stabilize their conditions and support their recovery.

Using principles of harm reduction and measurement-based care, Registered Practical Nurses are an essential part of these interprofessional teams.

You will continuously assess clients’ physiological stability, mental status, risks, functional ability, stage of change, coping skills and motivation.

You will use evidence-based, standardized assessment and pharmacological protocols and will develop the skills needed to accurately assess and monitor client progress.

You will administer medications safely via IV, perform wound care and prevent further physical destabilization of client health.

You will also have the opportunity to use motivational interviewing skills to continuously support clients to develop goals and practice strategies that will support their early recovery.

MWS is a very welcoming and supportive team. Successful RPN candidates are well supported during a robust orientation, which includes dedicated support from the Advance Practice Clinical Leader and Nurse Educator.

Unit orientation focuses on developing and refining the knowledge and skills needed to work safely and provide excellent, life-preserving care to a vulnerable population.

RPNs in the expanded MWS service collaborate to develop, implement and evaluate interprofessional plans of care. You will be supported to participate in reflective practice, and provide mentorship and supervision to students.

You will have the opportunity to take on leadership and career development activities, while supporting a workplace that embraces diversity and teamwork.

You will ensure safe practice according to the Practice Standards (CNO) and Canadian Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (CFMHN).

Required Skills

• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients, families and the interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrate competency in monitoring, assessing and documenting : Mental health and substance-related disordersTrauma-responsive behavioursMental status and physical health assessmentsClient response to pharmaceutical interventions
• Demonstrate motivation to develop knowledge and skills of trauma-informed care, culturally competent care, crisis intervention, mental health and addiction diagnoses and treatment modalities
• Demonstrate motivation to develop group facilitation skills
• Demonstrate competency in practicing Patient and Family centred care in daily work

This position requires 12-hour shift work, days and nights, and some weekend work and is located at the Queen Street Site.

Minimum Requirements

• Be registered in good standing as an RPN with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Current B.C.L.S. (CPR) certificate is required
• Psychiatric nursing experience with individuals with mental illness and / or addictions is an asset
• Effective leadership, decision-making, organizational and problem solving skills are required
• Computer literacy is required
• Bilingualism (French / English) and / or proficiency in a second language is an asset.

Vaccines (COVID-19 and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.