Nurses: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Nurse

Reference #	00526
Posted	Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 at 1:00am
Scope	Public Applications Accepted
Position	Clinical Nurse Specialist - Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Nurse
Department	Emergency Department
Term	Permanent, Full-Time
Pay	as per the ONA Collective Agreement
Application Deadline	Sunday, November 20th, 2022 at 12:00am

Position	Clinical Nurse Specialist – Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Nurse
Department	Emergency Department
Status	Permanent, Full-Time
Reports to	Patient Care Manager, Emergency Department
Direct reports	N/A
Work Pattern	Monday to Friday, with occasional evenings or weekends as required
Posted Date
Closing Date

VALUES AND COMMITMENT

At Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH), our core values of Integrity, Quality, Respect, Compassion and Teamwork are at the centre of who we are and what we do. We remain committed to sustaining an experienced workforce that reflects Northumberland Hills Hospital’s dedication to recognizing everyone’s contributions and respecting everyone’s dignity, unique experience, and potential.

EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Northumberland Hills Hospital remains respectful of all protected rights, in line with the grounds laid out by the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we welcome applications from all qualified applicants and interests from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

We strive to make our entire hiring process as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants if needed. For any hiring related accommodation needs and/or requests please email us via careers@nhh.ca.

LOCATION

Located approximately 100 kilometres east of Toronto, NHH is a vibrant community hospital delivering a broad range of acute, post-acute, outpatient and diagnostic services. Directly serving a growing population of more than 60,000 residents spread across a mix of urban and rural settings, NHH directly employs approximately 750 people and relies on the additional support provided by a highly engaged and supportive network of physicians, midwives, and volunteers.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The GEM nurse is a Clinical Nurse Specialist who provides advanced gerontological expertise in the assessment and treatment of frail elderly patients in the NHH Emergency Department (ED). The GEM nurse serves as a consultant, and in some cases as a direct caregiver, for elderly patients and their families through assessment, caregiver support, high risk screening, and coordination of ED care and follow-up. Using in-depth knowledge of geriatric care, the GEM nurse will provide targeted assessment and treatment; enhance linkages with hospital and community services; advocate for the needs of frail seniors and work with community partners to avoid unnecessary inpatient admission; as well as create smooth transitions between the hospital and community.

Responsibilities

Implement standardized protocols to screen and assess high-risk elderly in the Emergency Department.
Engage in appropriate assessments to identify acute symptoms, underlying health conditions, physical, functional, emotional, and cognitive status, home environment issues and needed home supports.
Identify and address patient concerns with falls and mobility, cognitive status, nutrition, elimination, mental health, safety, functional status, and self-care.
Make recommendations for care for frail seniors, and assist in their implementation within the emergency department, and other hospital services, including specialized geriatric services.
Develop linkages with community services as appropriate, including family physician, Home and Community Care, long-term care, ambulatory care, and Regional Geriatric Program (RGP) services.
Provide education for patients, families, and staff, formally and informally, regarding the needs of the elderly and the specialized care they require in the ED.
Participate in research and ongoing ED quality improvement initiatives, including collecting outcome data for the GEM service and informing future opportunities.
Provide support to the emergency department in developing an elder-friendly emergency health care environment.
In line with the GEM mandate, may assist neighboring hospitals in improving GEM capacity.
Participate in program evaluation and reporting requirements.
Engage in continued education opportunities to support the GEM role, such as attending conferences or education opportunities specific to the GEM role.
Participate in provincial GEM liaison group activities and maintain links with other GEM nurses.
Provide regular reports to the NHH leadership team specific to patient outcomes, and other applicable measures.

In addition to clinical responsibilities within the ED, the GEM nurse serves the organization as a leader, role model, educator, and change agent supporting, informing, and advocating for best practices in seniors’ care. Related activities may include participation and/or leadership of relevant organizational committees; participation in selected community committees; assistance with coordination of Seniors’ Month activities; and other duties as required. In his/her role as a geriatric educator and capacity builder within the ED, hospital, and community, the GEM nurse collaborates with the interprofessional team and diverse stakeholders to build system capacity to ensure that frail seniors receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

The GEM nurse reports dually to the NHH Patient Care Manager, Emergency Department for clinical service and to the Seniors Care Network with accountability for gathering and reporting GEM metrics and data and contributing to regional programming. The GEM nurse contributes to professional practice at NHH and collaborates closely with members of the professional practice team in the promotion of gerontological best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
Master’s Degree in Nursing required
CNA certification in Gerontological Nursing required
Minimum three years experience in geriatrics and emergency services
Proven knowledge, skill, and experience in geriatric care and gerontological best practices
Evidence of ongoing learning in Geriatric Care
Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication
Excellent interpersonal, teaching, and knowledge mobilization skills
Advanced knowledge of nursing process, program planning, research methodology and crisis management
Ability to function collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team
Ability to practice in a self-directed manner with minimal supervision
Knowledge of College of Nursing of Ontario standards of practice and standards of practice in Geriatric Emergency Management
Knowledge of Home and Community Care and the Home First Philosophy
Knowledge of local and regional seniors’ care resources
Ability to identify potential for patient risk and intervene appropriately
Knowledge of adult learning theories
Proven analytical thinking and problem solving skills
Knowledge of current and future trends in Geriatric Nursing Care
Proficient in MS Office Suite products (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)

ASSETS

Experience in Program Management and Change Management
Experience in Patient and Family Co-Design in healthcare
Experience with EPIC Clinical Information System
Knowledge and Experience with home and community care in Northumberland County

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Successful applicants are required provide a satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal reference check, that was complete less than one year from the date of hire. This requirement must be met within the first sixty (60) days of employment.

Additionally, to the above, successful applicants are also required to complete the Health Care Worker Health review process which includes providing an up-to-date immunization record to ensure compliance with the Ontario Hospital Association Communicable Diseases Surveillance Protocols within the first thirty (30) days of employment. Northumberland Hills Hospital operates a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all staff.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Northumberland Hills Hospital may choose to conduct parts/all the hiring process virtually. The successful incumbent should expect the role to be in person however a hybrid working arrangement may also be considered subject to operational needs. Furthermore, we are a scent-free environment. When attending the hospital kindly refrain from wearing strongly scented fragrances. While we thank all those that express interest in this exciting position; kindly note that due to high volumes of interests, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Individuals selected for an interview will be notified.

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