Registered Nurse, Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health

Unit Summary

The Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Center (JCHH) serves more than 1.7 million people in Central West Ontario. The JHCC includes the Juravinski Cancer Center (JCC), which is an outpatient facility where more than 7000 new patients with cancer are seen each year. The JCC provides consultation and specialized assessment, treatment and follow-up care for patients with cancer and their families. Services include comprehensive programs in systemic and radiation therapy, surgical oncology, urgent care, and comprehensive supportive care to meet the full range and severity of psychosocial and mental health needs. The Cancer Program includes an in-patient oncology ward, hematology and bone marrow transplant ward, and oncology day services. 

The Registered Nurse (RN) in Mental Health at the JCC provides Mental Health services to patients and families living with cancer and experiencing psychosocial distress and underlying mental health concerns. The RN is a member of the inter-professional Psychosocial Oncology Mental Health team and practices within a shared, collaborative practice model to improve the use of resources, to increase access to services and to provide optimal care. Specific responsibilities of the Mental Health RN will include: 

• Comprehensive psychiatric and physical status history/assessment of patients who are referred to the program, develop and implement care plans, and provide follow-up as required
• Best medication reconciliation at consult and follow up visits and documentation in the JHCC electronic health record (EPIC)
• Pre-transplant support to hematology patients 
• Between appointment case-management and care coordination and ongoing mental health care and support to patients and their families
• Crisis intervention support when patients are presenting in psychosocial distress, psychiatric crisis situations
• Psychiatric care coordination across the system
• Triage of incoming referrals and conduct pre-screening calls
• Documentation in the JHCC health information system (EPIC) as per CNO standards and management of in basket messages for the PSO team
• Serve as the key liaison for the Mental Health Service, liaising with physicians and other health professionals at the JCC, across the program, and in the community to ensure coordinated and seamless care delivery
• Managing a workload effectively in a fast-paced clinic environment

Full Time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, days (with the possibility of some evenings).

This role is temporary until June 2025

1. Current certification as a Registered Nurse from the College of Nurses of Ontario required 
2. BScN an asset
3. Canadian certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing CPMHN( C ) preferred
4. BCLS certification
5. Minimum of 5 years of recent experience (within the past 3 years) in mental health nursing
6. Recent experience working with patients and families affected by cancer is preferred
7. Demonstrated expertise in clinical assessment, management and counselling in a broad range of mental health care issues 
8. Working knowledge of psychiatric and mental health disorders and related psychiatric/ psychosocial interventions and treatment models such as: supportive psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, counseling, and crisis intervention or management in an adult community setting to clients suffering from mental illnesses or psycho-social difficulties.
9. Comprehensive knowledge and experience in administration and/or monitoring of psychotropic medications

10. Excellent interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
11. Demonstrated professional and empathic communication with patients, families, physicians, and other team members 
12. Demonstrated leadership in the advancement of clinical practice and the achievement of program goals 
13. Demonstrated use of theory and research/evidence-based outcomes in practice 
14. Ability to work independently, be self-directed, and achieve activities within timeliness 
15. Excellent time management, decision-making, problem recognition, and problem-solving skills 
16. Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills

As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to Employee Health Services.

Hamilton Health Sciences fosters a culture of patient and staff safety, whereby all employees are guided by our Mission, Vision, Values, and Values Based Code of Conduct. Hamilton Health Sciences is a teaching hospital and all staff and physicians are expected to support students and other learners.

To be considered for this opportunity applicants must apply during the posting period. All internal and external applicants may ONLY apply via the Careers website.

Hamilton Health Sciences is an equal opportunity employer and we will accommodate any needs under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, if requested. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application processes, please contact HR Operations at 905-521-2100, Ext. 46947 for assistance. If the applicant requires a specific accommodation because of a disability during an interview, the applicant will need to advise the hiring manager when scheduling the interview and the appropriate accommodations can be made.

This competition is open to all qualified applicants, however, qualified internal applicants will be considered first. Past performance will be considered as part of the selection process. If you are a previous employee of Hamilton Health Sciences, please note: the circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment

Proficiency in both Official Languages, French and English, is considered an asset