Department: Dean of Students Office - Brantford

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Brantford

Reports to: Manager, Student Wellness Centre

Employee Group: PAG

Application Deadline: March 25, 2024

Requisition ID: 7391

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 19,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Manager, Student Wellness Centre in Brantford the Mental Health Nurse will work cooperatively within a circle of care of multi-disciplinary team members including professionals from the following backgrounds: Family Physicians, Psychiatrist, Registered Nurses, Counsellors (MSW), and Accessible Learning Consultants.

The MHN will provide clinical mental health assessments; implement and evaluate care plans, with communications and follow-up to the treating physician/psychiatrist; provide support to students experiencing mental health problems and/or disorders; and assist with co-ordination of care between circle of care team members. They will administer medical care according to Doctor’s orders and Medical Directives.

The Mental Health Nurse will have knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the diverse socio-cultural issues and co-morbid health issues common to our patient demographic, which impact on patients’ health and well-being as well as familiarity with the Mental Health Act and its implications for both patients and providers.

The Mental Health Nurse will participate in a variety of campus initiatives, to help facilitate the development and refinement of Laurier’s mental health strategic focus on policy, education, service, peer to peer engagement and community outreach.

Accountabilities

• In partnership with the Manager, Student Wellness Centre, this Mental Health Nurse (MHN) will act as a front line clinical assessor for students presenting with mental health and psychological issues at the Student Wellness Centre, the MHN will provide initial assessment of students presenting or referred to the Student Wellness Centre to determine appropriate clinical intervention which may include, referral to Counsellor for crisis or intake appointment, booked appointment for assessment by physician, referral to Accessible Learning for academic accommodation, referral to Academic advisor for academic consideration or referral to community crisis services. These assessments may be booked appointments facilitated by reception staff but may be on an as needed basis.
• Perform initial assessments using standardized tools such as GAD-7, PHQ-9, MDQ as appropriate depending on clinical presentation.
• Provide ongoing follow-up to patients of physicians as requested by MD as needed in between scheduled MD visits.
• Provide advice and follow-up to patients regarding psychotropic medications and side effects.
• Health teaching on various medical matters using good communication skills and good knowledge base, including advising patients of results and need for follow-up.
• Facilitate referral to community mental health providers.
• Foster relationships with community service providers to develop partnerships and ongoing collaborative care.
• Act as a clinic liaison between circle of care team members to ensure clear communication between providers.
• In conjunction with the Counselling Manager, will work to foster relationships with community service providers, including CMHA, St. Leonard’s, Grand River Community Health Services, BHN Local Health Integration Network, and the Brantford General Hospital to develop partnerships and ongoing collaborative care.
• Active participation on regular campus committees to ensure optimal support and intervention for students experiencing distress.
• Work with the Manager, Student Wellness Centre to collect statistics and review of data relating to mental health concerns and presenting concerns
• Deals with confidential material daily. Complies with medical-legal requirements of a health care facility
• Familiarity with relevant legislation including PHIPA, Health Care Consent Act, Substitute Decisions Act.
• Maintains up to date medical records; manages patient recall system; and prepares medical excuse slips for ill students unable to write exams or complete assignments as needed.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with a current certificate from the College of Nurses of Ontario plus 5 years work related experience;
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing experience essential (Physical and mental health assessment including psychiatric, crisis and emergency management.)
• Five (5) or more years’ recent related mental health experience with three (3) years of community mental health experience preferred
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary clinic
• High level of problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Electronic Medical records - Practice Solutions Software preferred;
• Highly developed and proven effective interpersonal skills where issues are complex;
• Awareness of diversity and cultural issues is essential
• Emergency experience and physical assessment skills a definite asset;
• Experience in working with university age group;
• Able to work flexible hours.

Hours of work

This is a full time, continuing position. Regular hours of work are 8:30 am – 4:30pm daily. Flexibility with schedule for occasional evening or weekend events is required.

Compensation

$44.02 to $46.54 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $50.31 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.