Nurse Practitioner - NPLC Clinic

Who we are

Canadian Mental Health Association Durham is an integrated community mental health and primary care hub that has been providing mental health services to Durham Region for over 60 years. During that time, it has evolved to provide a broad range of services to individuals and their families experiencing mental health challenges, from information and education to case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing and primary healthcare. These services are delivered through inter‑professional teams focused on providing clinically based services that, in addition to addressing client mental health issues, also address social determinants of health using the recovery model.

Overview of the role

The Nurse Practitioner provides services to clients who include the individual throughout their lifespan, the family, and the community, with a strong emphasis on health promotion, patient education and disease prevention.

Responsibilities

• Perform a comprehensive health or symptom‑directed assessment within the scope of practice of the RN (EC), and synthesize data from multiple sources to make diagnosis.
• Spend adequate time with the client to determine the presence of existing and potential health problems, with a major focus on related lifestyle, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental risk factors.
• Address identified factors personally or through referral or consultation with other health‑care providers and agencies/services.
• Encourage clients and families to take responsibility for their own health by involving them in risk‑factor identification, goal setting, and choice of interventions for disease treatment and prevention, and health promotion.
• Collaborate and consult with collaborating physicians and specialists as defined in the RN(EC) scope of practice.
• Work within medical directives established and approved by CMHA Durham and the collaborating physician.
• Determine the need for and order screening and laboratory tests within scope, interpret results, and order diagnostic imaging as needed.
• Maintain complete, accurate, legible, and timely records of client visits to assist other practitioners in continuing care.
• See clients at the clinic for scheduled and urgent appointments and conduct home visits in the community during regular and extended hours.

Treatment

• Provide advanced nursing care and treatment, including pharmacological, complementary therapies, and counselling interventions for health problems.
• Monitor ongoing therapy of clients with chronic stable illness, providing effective pharmacological or counselling interventions.
• Prescribe drugs included in the schedules of the regulations to treat diseases or disorders within RN(EC) scope of practice.
• Collaborate with physicians and allied health professionals to develop individualized care plans based on best practices.
• Document using client health records, refer to and arrange follow‑up as necessary.
• Implement strategies to foster independent and healthy lifestyles for the chronically ill population.
• Synthesize information from individual clients to identify broader implications for families.
• Assess and manage the care of families in collaboration with team members.
• Use community assessment data to identify needs and resources, and develop, implement and evaluate appropriate programming.
• Ensure encounter forms and statistics are recorded and participate in their analysis.
• Encourage clients in decisions and actions concerning their own health.
• Initiate and develop health education and activities that assist, promote and support clients in achieving the highest level of health.
• Deliver health education programs for patients and communities.
• Implement strategies to promote health and prevent disease for both primary and secondary prevention.
• Advocate for services with clients.

Organizational Role

• Maintain current knowledge of policy manuals, read minutes of meetings, and stay updated with organizational happenings.
• Contribute to the efficient functioning of the organization and attainment of goals.
• Base practice on sound theoretical knowledge and best practices.
• Arrange priorities to perform tasks appropriately.
• Know established work and administrative procedures.

Risk Management

• Minimize risks by adhering to CMHA Durham policies and procedures; identify, assess, evaluate, and control risks to ensure well‑being of staff and clients.

Skills you bring

• Council of Ontario University Program in Nursing Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program Certificate (or recognized equivalent) in good standing.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Master in nursing or health‑related field required.
• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as an RN(EC) required.
• Current membership with the RNAO and evidence of liability insurance (NPLC).
• Liability protection or liability insurance required (CNPS).
• Satisfactory criminal reference check.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate proficiency in written and verbal French is an asset.
• Proficient in use of internet, Microsoft software, drug database programs.
• Current Ontario Driver’s License.
• Experience with electronic medical records system is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, and other related legislation in Ontario is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of psychotropic medications including usage and potential side effects.
• Ability to manage a system of medication checks ensuring accuracy.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, community partners and represent the agency in a professional manner.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to formally present information to individuals or groups to develop, implement and monitor nursing care plans and attend meetings.
• Ability to resolve complex client problems to ensure a high standard of nursing service.
• Excellent assessment and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• Flexibility to adapt to change and support any function required within the clinic (e.g., injections, phlebotomy, administrative support).
• Ability to work independently when necessary.
• Ability to think critically and creatively.
• Ability to make accurate nursing assessments and implement best practices.
• Ability to minimize risks adhering to established policies and procedures.
• Ability to participate as a member of a high‑performance multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and internet.

Effort

• Sits, stands and walks daily to perform the duties of the job.
• Requires concentration, attentiveness and creativity daily to assess clients, administer medications/injections, attend meetings, manage medication administration system, prepare documents, listen to clients, and use nursing equipment.
• Commits to self‑care to maintain therapeutic competencies.

Working Conditions

• Works in a medical office environment; may also be required to work in residential homes, doctors’ offices and shelters.
• Exposure to clients in crisis.
• Exposure to abusive or irate clients, deadlines, multiple demands, distractions or interruptions.
• Exposure to hazards such as blood and bodily fluids and cleaning fluids.

Benefits

• Hybrid working model.
• Memberships to meditation apps.
• Competitive vacation and wellness time.
• 100 % employer‑paid health benefits.
• Work‑life balance encouraged and expected.
• 35‑hour work week for most positions.
• Birthday off with pay.

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