Description
Status: Temporary, Full Time Contract – 35 hours (5 days) per week (12 Month Parental Leave Contract with possibility of extension) Starting: May 1, 2023
Location: Community Health Centres of Northumberland in Port Hope, with home-based visiting (when required)
Reports to: Manager, MINT Memory Clinic, Manager, GAIN Clinic, Clinical Reporting to Memory Clinic Physicians, GAIN NPs/Physicians, and Seniors Care Network
Position Summary
As part of an interprofessional team, the MINT Memory Clinic BSO RPN is responsible for cognitive testing, geriatric assessment, and care planning for clients and their families/care partners. The BSO RPN combines clinical competencies in interprofessional practice and geriatric assessment, with discipline-specific knowledge of cognitive testing to support the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia. Where required, the BSO RPN develops and implements interventions and supports to help address behavioural challenges.
The MINT Memory Clinic BSO RPN works collaboratively with the memory clinic clinicians from CHCN, NFHT, and the Alzheimer Society in delivery of memory clinic services, and – when required – provides consultative support to the MINT Memory Clinic at the Northumberland Family Health Team regarding responsive behaviours.
*This position is a split-position with the CHCN Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN) Team. 50% of time will be spent with the Memory Clinic and 50% with GAIN
The GAIN Team supports community-dwelling older adults living with multiple, complex health and social conditions (such as dementia, cognitive impairment, falls, impaired mobility, decreased function, incontinence, multiple medications, etc.). Through comprehensive assessment and personalized care, our teams assist clients with improving/maintaining their function and independence, so that they can continue living at home.
The BSO RPN will conduct triages, comprehensive geriatric assessments and provide discipline-specific expertise to support the development of collaborative care plans for GAIN clients.
Experience
Qualifications/Education
*Recent Graduates Welcomed – Training will be provided
- Diploma, Registered Practical Nurse with Medication Certificate or with full scope of practice and currently registered as an RPN in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
- Current CPR/Basic Life Support and First Aid Certificates
- Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Screening required
- Cognitive testing and geriatric assessment training considered an asset (will provide training)
- I.E.C.E.S.™, U-First!™, Montessori Methods for Dementia ™, Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) ™ training considered an asset (will provide training)
Experience
- Minimum three (1) year demonstrated clinical experience working with older adult population (can include experience acquired during nursing education)
- Recent experience working as a geriatric assessor and/or in cognitive testing role desirable but not required
- One (1) year recent experience as an RPN in community care or primary care is desirable
- Experience working effectively as part of an interprofessional team
Core Competencies
- Knowledge* (desired, but not required – must be willing to complete training to acquire)
- Knowledge of cognitive testing tools and functional assessment tools
- Knowledge of interprofessional geriatric assessment or willing to learn
- Demonstrated knowledge and skill working with individuals with communication challenges, cognitive impairment, dementia, delirium, mental health, or other neurological conditions
- Fundamental understanding of physiological and biopsychosocial mechanisms of the aging processes, geriatric syndromes, and the impact of frailty or willing to learn
- An understanding of dementia and the ability to assess the unique impact of the disease (e.g. amnesia, agnosia, aphasia, altered perception, and etc.), and a thorough understanding of the concept of responsive behaviours/behavioural expression as a form of communication
- An understanding of the health needs of older adults
- Clinical Skills
- Works to full RPN scope of practice
- Good physical and behavioural assessment skills for evaluating and differentiating between dementia, cognitive impairment, depression, delirium, and mental health and addictions issues (or willingness to learn)
- Excellent critical thinking skills
- Willingness to participate in Interprofessional Primary Care Memory Assessment as a Geriatric Assessor, in consultation with the interprofessional team and the primary care provider, including:
- Review of referrals
- Identification of patient/family goals
- Data gathering and recording within all domains of the assessment
- Client and family/care partner interview utilizing strength-based approach
- Willingness to participate in Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment as a Geriatric Assessor, in consultation with the interprofessional team and the GAIN NP/Physicians.
- Participate in implementation of GAIN interventions to promote safety, functional independence and rehabilitative/restorative potential
- Participate in MINT Clinical Assessment training, and MINT refresher training
- Participate in GAIN Training
3) Quality Improvement and Capacity Building
- Commitment to quality improvement and change initiatives
- Knowledge of and commitment to knowledge exchange as a means of continuous quality improvement, education and capacity building in the individual, team, organization, and system
4) Collaboration and Communication
- Demonstrated effectiveness as a team member through collaboration, respect and effective communication skills in interacting with clients, family members and other members of inter-professional teams, including community and primary care team members
- Ability to use strategies to catalyze, foster and enhance collaboration and communication amongst partners in care
- Ability to work independently and co-operatively in a busy interprofessional situation
- Demonstrated computer skills including the ability to use clinical documentation software, telemedicine, virtual meeting, and other electronic communication tools and software
5) Professional and Work Ethic
- Demonstrated professional work ethic and behaviours with interprofessional team members, and internal and external partners
- Proven good attendance record, organizing and prioritizing work effectively
Other Position Requirements
- Fluency in English is required
- Fluency in French and/or another language considered an asset
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and have regular access to an insured vehicle as the position may require travel throughout Northumberland
Apply
- Please submit your résumé and cover letter to careers@porthopechc.ca
- No phone calls please. We thank you for your interest in applying. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
