Clinical Nurse Specialist – Geriatric Behavioural Consultant

Company Description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and over 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education, and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, UHN is a national and international leader in biomedical research, patient care, and education, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine, and rehabilitation medicine. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World through the dedication of its talented professionals. Visit www.uhn.ca for more information.

Position Summary

The Clinical Nurse Specialist – Geriatric Behavioural Consultant in the Virtual Behavioural Medicine Program, part of the Geriatric Psychiatry Services at Toronto Rehab, provides advanced nursing care in a virtual setting to support people with dementia and responsive behaviours, primarily in long-term care homes across Ontario. This role involves a high level of autonomy and expert skill in formulating clinical decisions, managing behavioural and psychological symptoms, and promoting quality of life for patients with dementia. The Clinical Nurse Specialist collaborates with geriatric psychiatrists and a multidisciplinary mental health team to deliver comprehensive care.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge and clinical competence in caring for complex patients, developing pharmacological and non-pharmacological care plans in collaboration with geriatric psychiatry.
• Work collaboratively with geriatric psychiatrists and a multidisciplinary mental health team to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
• Play a leadership role in supporting quality improvement and program evaluation initiatives.
• Participate in policy and procedure development to enhance program effectiveness.
• Deliver, coordinate, and participate in educational and professional development activities/programs.
• Act as a resource and consultant to individuals and groups within the professional community and other hospitals/agencies.
• Perform cross-functional and other duties consistent with the job classification, as required, with potential career growth and mobility across UHN.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctorate in Nursing with specialization in Geriatrics, Mental Health, or equivalent.
• Registered Nurse (Extended Class) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Minimum 5 years of clinical experience in geriatric mental health or behavioural health.
• Expertise and/or certification in management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
• Confidence in the care of medically complex older adults with multiple co-morbidities, particularly people living with dementia and residents of long-term care.
• Experience in nursing research, program planning, and evaluation methodologies.
• Comfortable working in a virtual environment.
• Ability to perform duties professionally, produce high-quality work, and meet deadlines in accordance with UHN standards.
• Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Client-service oriented with the ability to work with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Excellent time management, decision-making, problem recognition, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills and commitment to collaborative practice.
• Ability to work effectively independently and under stressful conditions.
• Ability to utilize information technology.
• Certification in Gerontological Nursing or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing preferred.
• Experience in academic health science centres or integrated care models preferred.
• Knowledge of Ontario’s Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) framework preferred.

Job Details

Benefits Package

• Competitive offer packages.
• Membership in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service.
• Flexible work environment.
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization.
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance, on-site gyms, etc.).

Additional Information

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period and have a good employee record with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program to be eligible for consideration. A Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants must submit their applications before the closing date and check their email regularly for communication.