Clinical Nurse Specialist

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Director of Regional Nephrology/Diabetes Program, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Nephrology will provide high quality comprehensive, specialized, and advanced care for patients in the clinical specialty of nephrology nursing, while supporting the various Ontario Renal Network (ORN) initiatives in achieving the strategic objectives in the Ontario Renal Plan. The successful candidate will practice within the interprofessional team model and be responsible for promoting best practices in nephrology care to enhance patient safety, outcomes, and access to care for the nephrology patient population. The CNS will promote excellence in care of nephrology patients through direct patient care, program design, clinical consultation, staff education and research. The CNS serves as a consultant and resource and will work in close collaboration with the nephrology leadership, patient care teams and external partners of the Nephrology program. The CNS will work with external partner organizations to develop and sustain ORN priority programs and initiatives which support nephrology patients, including the home dialysis population, and to ensure best possible outcomes.

o Shares specialized expert knowledge through the consultation process utilizing the domains of advanced practice of care; this may focus on clinical issues relevant to structure (environment, delivery of care); process (developing nursing standards, program development); or outcomes.
o Identifies and evaluates clinical issues and communicates findings appropriately.
o Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to determine clinical program needs and develop/ drive program work plans/initiatives.
o Uses a continuous quality improvement approach to participate in the evaluation, development and implementation of education, policies and procedures and protocols that promote excellence in nursing practice.
o Initiates and maintains links with other nephrology advanced practice nurses and other stakeholders as required, to advance clinical outcomes for patients.
o Liaises with nursing personnel and other disciplines to ensure patients receive needed and appropriate treatment in a timely, effective, and safe manner.
o Provides direct, specialized care and/or consultation to patients, families, health care professionals and community partners where advanced nursing expertise is required.
o Researches, develops, and implements educational programs (formal and informal) for patients, essential partners in care/families, and healthcare professionals.
o Facilitates an environment conducive to collaboration and continuous professional development.
o Contributes to the continuing education of nurses, other healthcare professionals and students in the management of specific health problems through coaching, role modeling, mentoring, preceptorship and/or through formal presentations.
o Disseminates and facilitates the implementation of recent innovations and research findings relevant to nursing practice and client outcomes.
o Interprets, utilizes, and promotes the use of current evidence, valid research, and theory as the basis of nursing practice.
o Shares knowledge through presentations at professional meetings and through publication in scholarly journals.
o Evaluate present practice at the individual and system levels considering current research findings.
o Active participant in relevant professional activities/associations.
o Support capacity building approaches to promote best practices, best evidence, standards, and guidelines for the delivery of nephrology care across the program.
o Support and promote research and knowledge transfer activities, at the regional and provincial levels.
o Assigns appropriate activities to other staff and volunteers, provides effective supervision, leadership, and direction.
o Provides corporate leadership for nephrology nursing practice.
o Promotes a positive work environment that supports reflective practice, life-long learning, creativity, and innovation in nursing care.

QUALIFICATIONS:

o Master's Degree in Nursing required, or currently in progress
o Current certificate of competence and member in good standing from the College of Nurses of Ontario
o Demonstrated current expertise in nephrology nursing.
o Canadian Nurses Association certification in Nephrology, preferred
o Advanced clinical knowledge, program design and evaluation, project management and implementation of evidenced based practice
o Superior interpersonal, coaching, and leadership skills to facilitate identification and development of staff learning needs
o Proven, recent, significant clinical experience in Chronic Disease Management populations; and knowledge and experience in programs for patients with chronic conditions is preferred;
o Demonstrated experience and skills working in regional models with multiple stakeholders, leading and evaluating projects and initiatives is required;
o Excellent decision making, problem recognition and problem solving skills
o Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development
o A strong desire and capacity to promote professional practice and excellence in evidence-based, patient centered care.
o Reinforces best practice standards of care and strong interprofessional team functioning in collaboration with the care team, partnering physicians, Program Director, Program Medical Director and ORN partners.
o Excellent practice program development and project management skills
o Self-directed and capable of successfully leading project teams to achieve desired outcomes
o Effective communication skills, engages others, and is a reflective listener and learner
o Proven analytical thinking and proactive problem solving and decision-making skills
o Excellent report writing skills
o Demonstrated knowledge of evaluation methodologies
o Proficient with computer MS Office suite programs including: Word, PowerPoint, Excel & Outlook.
o Proven attendance record.
o Demonstrates understanding and complies with patient and staff safety policies and procedures that foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
o Models behaviour consistent with Lakeridge Health's values inclusion, teamwork, innovation, compassion, joy
o Commitment to providing an exceptional experience for staff and clients within a challenging and exciting health care environment.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with Lakeridge Health's policies and procedures.

Lakeridge Health thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Successful External applicants must provide a satisfactory Criminal Investigation Reference for the vulnerable sector, dated within the past six (6) months.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

At Lakeridge Health we value inclusion and diversity. We are committed to fostering a culture that is respectful, inclusive and accessible and to employing a workforce that is representative of the diverse community we provide services to. As an equal opportunity employer we welcome applications from all qualified applicants.

Lakeridge Health is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment and to preventing the transmission of COVID 19 infections among Lakeridge Health team members and our patients. New Lakeridge Health team members will be required to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 during their Post-offer/Pre-employment Health Assessment, subject to any exemptions recognized under the Ontario Human Rights code.

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