Job Description

The Interprofessional Resource Team (IRT) is a team comprised of RNs, RPNs, PSWs, and Allied Health professionals. The IRT provides relief staffing in many clinical areas including General Medicine (Cardiology, Nephrology, Oncology, Neurology, Respirology, Transitional Care), Surgery (General/Cancer, Orthopeadics), Mental Health, Emergency Department, and Covid Units. Working on the IRT is an excellent opportunity for new graduates looking to start their careers and more experienced nurses who enjoy variety in patient care to explore and experience a new environment. Being a part of the IRT helps in building a strong foundation for career advancement.

This experience gives nurses the opportunity to broaden their skills and knowledge and enrich their critical thinking and problem solving skills through exposure to a variety of work environments and patient populations.

Orientation & Training Opportunities

Working with the Patient Care Manager and Clinical Educator \xe2\x80\x93 Nursing, IRT staff are provided with an individualized orientation program to ensure competency to practice in a variety of clinical areas. Based on your previous experience and for each scheduled shift, you will be oriented to one or more of the clinical areas based on need. There is also opportunity for extended orientation periods.

IRT nurses will be given the opportunity for further training to work in certain specialty clusters. As such, an IRT nurse will be expected to participate in ongoing training and learning as well as take relevant courses as required.

Location & Scheduling

St. Joe\xe2\x80\x99s is conveniently located on the Queen and King Streetcar routes as well as via connection from Dundas West Station. Staff may occasionally be assigned to the Reactivation Care Centre located at Church St. and Jane St.

Shifts are primarily 12 hours and follow a Day, Day, Night, Night, 5 off rotation. Staff may be occasionally scheduled for 8 hour shifts.

The RPN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

Patient Care:

• Acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs;
• Engages patients and families to assess the level of involvement of the patient/family in their care and integrates into care planning;
• Develops a plan of care and integrates nursing activities with other inter-professional activities;
• Engages in critical inquiry and reflection to select evidence-based interventions;
• Organizes nursing care based on patient care needs and priorities;
• Continuously gathers and analyzes clinical and other relevant data to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed;
• Anticipates and recognizes rapidly changing situations; and a patient\xe2\x80\x99s transition from stable to unstable, establishes priorities; and takes immediate appropriate action to collaborate and consult with the Registered Nurse;
• Provides health education using effective teaching strategies that takes into account the patient/family\xe2\x80\x99s learning needs, readiness, and motivation to learn;
• Collaborates with appropriate team members on patient care needs;
• Processes orders and seeks verification of orders from prescribers;
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision in a timely manner to facilitate a current and accurate record of the patient\xe2\x80\x99s status and enable effective inter-professional communication;
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning and other planning activities to facilitate care continuity and coordination; advocates for care needs to be met in most appropriate setting; and

Collaboration & Coordination

• Organizes patient care activities while working collaboratively with patients, families and the inter-professional team to achieve agreed-upon outcomes and optimize resource utilization for individual patients
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships within and across the hospital units/programs (and externally where appropriate for his/her patient population)
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transition from one shift or setting/unit of care to another; ensures appropriate transfer of accountability from one care provider to another
• Participates in hospital committees and other groups to represent the RPN perspective and serve as a bridge to the unit/program and patient needs

Leadership & Professional Development

• Is accountable for his/her actions and decisions and practices in accordance with professional, legal and accreditation standards and evidence-based practice
• Aligns behavior with Unity Health Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s vision, mission and values and code of conduct; promotes nursing as a knowledge-based profession; and, supports the advanced of professional practice plans and initiatives
• Engages in self-reflection, performance review and ongoing learning
• Participates in mentoring, teaching and /or coaching students, co-workers and other regulated and unregulated health professionals
• Embraces change that leads to improved nursing practice and better patient outcomes
• Advocates for a safe and healthy work environment

Research

• Participates in or supports research projects
• Supports and participates in evidence based practice implementation and quality improvement initiatives

Qualifications:

Education

• Successful completion of a Practical Nursing Diploma Program.
• Current BLS/CPR Certificate required.
• Coronary Care 1 (CC1) or equivalent within six months.

Professional Registration

• Currently registered as a Registered Practical Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Required Experience

• Recent medical/surgical nursing experience required (those with mental health nursing experience considered as an added asset)

Required Skills/Competencies

• Demonstrated clinical competence with general medicine nursing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within an interprofessional team, as well as independently.
• Excellent physical assessment skills, critical thinking skills and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to patient and family centered care.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and educate patients and families.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education and professional development.
• Demonstrated computer skills.
• Satisfactory attendance record.

As a condition of employment, all external hires will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or documentation unless a valid accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code exists. Please note, if you are extended an offer of employment, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination in Ontario QR Code format. All internal candidates must be in compliance with Unity Health Toronto\xe2\x80\x99s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

Unity Health Toronto