Job Description: Nurse Practitioner

Company: Addiction Services for York Region
Location: York Region, South Simcoe and North York, Ontario
Job Category: Front-line
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: Not Specified

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Nurse Practitioner

Addiction Services for York Region (ASYR) is a charitable, community-based addiction services organization with its main office located in Aurora, Ontario which provides services in York Region, South Simcoe and some parts of Toronto. ASYR unites to offer hope and promote recovery through outstanding service and innovation. Information about our agency programs can be found at www.asyr.ca. Addiction Services for York Region takes pride in its passion for client service. Each day presents new opportunities to demonstrate leadership and expertise in addictions to the community. ASYR embraces a holistic, biological, psychological, social and spiritual approach to addiction. A holistic approach places the person at the centre. The agency uses a harm reduction approach in addiction treatment and equally respects individuals who choose abstinence or harm reduction.

Addiction Services for York Region is seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to work as a Nurse Practitioner, within our Addictions Withdrawal Management Program. As a key leader in the Addictions Withdrawal Management Program at ASYR, the Nurse Practitioner will be responsible for the overall medical component of the agency’s Addiction Withdrawal Management Program as well as provide supports to the Wellness Collaborative and other agencies, as identified by ASYR.

This position will offer services throughout York Region, South Simcoe and North York and will work closely with the Wellness Collaborative, a collective of addiction service providers in York Region, South Simcoe and North York. This position works collaboratively to initiate and monitor opioid/controlled substance substitution therapy (Buprenorphine). This position will also provide additional support with voluntary withdrawal from alcohol and/or other drugs to individuals who are under the influence and/or in withdrawal or crisis. Services that are included will be routine medical consultation and medication management, including those related to pain, opioids, or clients being tapered from benzodiapines or narcotics.

This is a full-time permanent position for 35 hours per week, with up to two evenings per week. Weekend work may also be included.

The Nurse Practitioner in our Addictions Withdrawal Management Program will also work collaboratively to initiate and monitor alcohol anti-craving medications. This position will play a key role in assisting clients to develop a personalized plan toward stabilization, harm reduction and recovery, and will work collaboratively with the Addictions Withdrawal Management program staff (Case Management, Registered Practical Nurses, Addictions Counsellors and Peer Support Workers) and outside the Program (pharmacist, addictions physicians, hospital staff and interdisciplinary team members), as needed.

This position will provide short-term assessment, diagnosis, treatment and referrals typical of the work of a primary care provider until such time as stabilization is achieved and acquisition of a permanent primary care provider is determined. The Nurse Practitioner will promote overall harm reduction strategies such as dispensing Naloxone kits.

This position will provide nursing leadership and management to the agency’s nursing team, clinical supervision to the nursing team (individual and group supervision) and work collaboratively with the Leadership Team to develop, implement and evaluate the agency’s programs and services.

 

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Clinical Services:
  • perform assessment, diagnosis, treatment, health education/counselling and other medical functions based on appropriate standards of practice
  • Prescribe and monitor substitution therapy and anti-craving medications for alcohol
  • Facilitate access to on and off-site addictions support staff and interdisciplinary team and programs, as needed
  • Work collaboratively with the addictions physicians and all referring sources
  • Provide education and clinical support to primary care providers to scale up expertise in addictions management organizationally

 

• Residential Withdrawal Management Services:
  • support individuals who are preparing to enter into residential services and provide more consistent care to individuals in need
  • support community Primary Care Physicians (PCP) who are providing care to individuals preparing to enter into a residential treatment service
  • improve the medical management of clients who are withdrawing from substances and need access to primary care and/or medications to manage the symptoms of withdrawal.

 

• Mobile Withdrawal Management Services
  • Implement a schedule of withdrawal management services within the former boundaries of the Central LHIN
  • work closely with Wellness Collaborative partners and other community partners to offer withdrawal management services at or near their locations

 

• Clinical Supervision
  • Lead, manage and support the agency’s nursing team, and provide the nursing staff with clinical supervision, both individual and group

 

• Act as interim primary care provider (including assessments, diagnosis, treatment, referrals and ongoing follow up) for those in the program without primary care until stable and/or ongoing primary care supports are in place

 

• Equity & client-centred approach:
  • Work in a manner that is mindful of the whole person/community within a social context and impacted by social determinants of health

 

• Work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team

 

• Participate in program evaluation

 

• Ensure clinical records are maintained, accurate and up to date on a consistent basis

 

• Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications:

• Valid Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class, RN(EC)
• Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate (COUPN or equivalent) required
• Experience working effectively with communities/ individuals who face barriers accessing services and experience in approaching work from an equity lens
• Demonstrated experience in Opioid/Alcohol Management/Harm Reduction preferred
• Demonstrated excellent problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively and respectfully in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team environment.
• CNA certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing would be an asset
• Liability protection under NPAO (or independently) required
• 2 or more years’ experience in delivery of primary care preferred
• Clinical experience in the mental health/addictions field would be a definite asset
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the needs of people with mental illness and/or addiction
• Excellent clinical skills and sound clinical judgment
• Excellent organizational and communication (written and oral) skills
• Strong interpersonal, leadership and team-building skills
• Solid problem-solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Experience in policy development, program planning and evaluation would be an asset
• Proficient in the use of IT systems and computers for word processing, email and data entry (Outlook, Excel, electronic client records)
• Experience with OTN and telemedicine would be an asset
• Comfortable providing virtual care, as required
• Flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity and a good sense of humour are essential for this position
• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to speak in both official languages, a definite asset
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation with appropriate insurance coverage
• A successful Police Vulnerable Sector Check, as per agency policy and procedures

Please submit your cover letter and an updated resume by February 22, 2021, to careers@asyr.ca. In the subject line, please indicate YOUR NAME - NURSE PRACTITIONER.

The process we will undertake to recruit for this role includes:

• Initial screening of resumes and covering letters
• Those who are successful in moving through the initial screening process, will be asked to participate in a brief telephone interview
• Those who are successful in the telephone interview will be asked to attend a face-to-face interview to gain a better understanding of the role, as well as, provide you the opportunity to discuss how your experience fits well with this opportunity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from diverse individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code, and we encourage you to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to this role within your application. We are wholly committed to integration and to building a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and is given the opportunity to fully contribute, ensuring an equal employment environment without discrimination or harassment, while maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. We remain committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation.

ASYR is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our HR representative of the accommodation measures required which would enable you to be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. 

WE WELCOME ALL APPLICATIONS, HOWEVER, ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED