South Riverdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit, multi-service organization that provides primary healthcare, social and community outreach services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention primarily to people of East Toronto. Our mission is to improve the lives of people that face barriers to physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. We do so by meaningfully engaging our clients and communities, ensuring equitable access to primary health care and delivering quality care through a range of evidence informed programs, services and approaches. As a leader in community health, our locally and internationally recognized community services include cutting-edge primary health services, health promotion, harm reduction, environmental health, community food centre and population-based community programs for marginalized peoples. We value health equity and inclusion and respect in our work and in the delivery of our services.
About COSS – East Toronto
The Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors (COSS) – East Toronto is a collaborative between South Riverdale CHC and Woodgreen Community Services. The model of care is Nurse Practitioner-led mobile on-call crisis intervention and outreach service for seniors with complex clinical and social needs, are frail, isolated or hard to reach, marginalized, and living with suspected or diagnosed mental health and/or substance use related medical concerns, including dementia. This service provides “short-term” response 365 days (1 year).
The Team:
As an inter-interdisciplinary, crisis intervention team comprising a Nurse Practitioner, Social Workers, and a support Manager, the COSS team provides timely interventions including crisis counseling, short-term intensive case management, harm reduction & concurrent disorders services, mental health & substance use supports, health assessment & care, and referral to long-term primary care for individuals no longer in crisis.
Area served:
This position covers East Toronto area as follows: Yonge Street to the west, Eglinton Avenue to the north, the Rouge River in the east and Lake Ontario to the south.
The Nurse Practitioner is a Nurse specialist in primary health care, who functions both independently and as a member of the primary care team, providing primary health care to the clients of the Centre and emphasizing health promotion, health education and disease prevention.
This position is expected to work onsite, and in the community.
Responsibilities:
- Assumes primary care responsibility for a small number of tenants, maintaining regular on-site presence at designated Toronto Housing Seniors building
- Promptly responds to crisis intervention requests involving older adults in the facility or community
- Conducts comprehensive physical and mental health assessments of the well person Assessments will include holistic health history taking, appropriate screening, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and/or referral to specialists
- Assesses and manages episodic and stable chronic conditions commonly seen in primary health care, consulting with CHC physicians when issues present that go beyond the RN(EC) scope of practice
- Performs telephone screening when necessary, which may include patient referral, health care advice for acute or chronic conditions, anticipatory guidance, and offering guidance to receptionists where appropriate
- Assess patient capacity to handle activities of daily living, including (safe) decision making.
- Appropriately collecting, storing and safely transporting blood and other patient samples while working in the community
- Developing effective care plans through engaging patients, other providers including allied health care providers, and where appropriate, coordinate support with patient-authorized social supports (family, friend, care-giver(s) or neighbour(s)
- Provides supportive and lifestyle counselling to patients. This may include short-term crisis management, preventative counselling, brief supportive counselling in the absence of social worker support
- Appropriately Writes/renews prescriptions and orders laboratory tests within the RN(EC) scope of practice
- Conducts home visits to clients who live within the program’s catchment area as necessary
- Makes internal referrals to other SRCHC and Woodgreen services as appropriate
- Refers clients to specialist, hospital or community resources as appropriate
- Call or participates in case conferences and other client-focused interprofessional supports and discussions including legal and health to ensure appropriate decision-making, good management of care and accountability
- Ensures that standards of client care are maintained according to accepted College of Nurses standards, the Regulated Health Professions Act, and the policies of SRCHC (and Woodgreen Community Services)
- Integrates health promotion principles into each interaction with individuals, families or groups
- Participates in community projects or agency activities as a representative of COSS collaborative
- Supports the development of community outreach programs as necessary
- Participates in the development of, and gives support to, policies/strategies which are in the interest of public health and which support the recognition of the determinants of health
- Incorporates health care advances into practice and adjusts practice to the changing demographics and evolving needs of the program’s primary patient population
- Ensures access to up-to-date health and program information for clients through use of posters, pamphlets, and community publications
- Utilizes a health promotion approach, addressing determinants of health
- Maintains complete and accurate patient and administrative records necessary for timely communication with other professionals
- Provides statistical information as required
- Participates in all relevant COSS programs, activities, meetings, professional associations, and workshops
- Participates in the development of clinical policies and procedures as required
- Participates in planning and evaluation of clinical programs and activities and SRCHC program reviews as required
- Contributes to the clinical team’s use of research methodologies and findings in clinical practice, monitoring and evaluation
- Providing direct primary care, including diagnostics and treatment
- Conducts client advocacy, education and support to effectively navigate the healthcare system, and recommend appropriate supports and services.
- Transfer/facilitate the transfer of stabilized patients to primary care for ongoing healthcare.
- All other duties as required
Qualifications:
- Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from a recognized university
- Current registration as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class with the College of Nurses of Ontario and certificate of continuing competence
- 3-5 years’ experience in a community setting or a combination of community experience and relevant hospital or public health nursing experience focused on seniors’ care
- Thorough current nursing knowledge and proficiency in conducting a comprehensive health history, physical assessment and construction of a nursing management plan
- Proficiency in the use of computer technology and various software applications
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment
- Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based health care
- Good interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work well with other staff, so as to ensure an effective and efficient working environment
- Demonstrated respect for diversity, equity, anti-racism and accessibility with the ability to work collaboratively and positively with others
- Fluency in other language(s) spoken in East Toronto is a benefit, in addition to English
- Police clearance documentation will be required for employment
- Proof of double COVID-19 vaccination status will be required for employment
This posting remains open until the position is filled.
Please mail in your cover letter and resume in confidence to:
The Hiring Committee – Nurse Practitioner – COSS
South Riverdale Community Health Centre
955 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M4M 3P3
Or by email to: [email protected].
Please enter “Nurse Practitioner – COSS” in the subject line of your email.
No faxes, phone calls, or requests to meet please.
This is a bargaining unit position with CUPE Local 5399.
SRCHC welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
SRCHC is an equal opportunity employer. We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
SRCHC encourages applicants who are racialized (IBPOC) and/or applicants who face any barriers as a result of systemic discrimination to apply for this position.
SRCHC encourages a scent-free environment. Employees, students, volunteers, and visitors are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.) while at the Centre.
