Nurse Practitioner (Clinical Services) (1961)

The Role

Provides clinical treatment counselling and referral services within the scope and functions of Nurse Practitioner (Extended Class) (excluding primary care), for clients seeking services through divisional programs, according to the Ontario Public Health Standards and consistent with the mission, vision, values, and strategic directions of the department; facilitates the implementation of College of Nurses of Ontario Standards (CNOS) and Practice Guidelines by participating in the creation of policy and procedure manuals and medical directives.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Practices as a team member/autonomously, offering Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner (Extended Class) practice as defined by the scope of the PH Sexual Health Clinic. Establishes working relationships with clinical physicians and other health care professionals for the purpose of consulting on clients' treatment and care plans.
• Provides health assessments and synthesizes data from multiple sources to diagnose diseases/disorders within the scope of practice to diagnose. Takes a full history for all clients served.  Diagnoses common conditions, diseases and disorders based on history and physical examinations, per Ontario Nurse Practitioner Standards of Practice (ONPSP).
• Initiates screening procedures and provides treatment, including prescribing medications, per ONPSP as well as medical directives and other departmental guidelines. 
• Initiates and manages the care of clients with diseases or disorders within the scope of practice and/or monitors the ongoing therapy of clients with chronic stable illness by providing effective pharmacological, complementary, or counselling interventions.
• Coordinates care, including referring clients and responding to episodic illness. Works with a health care team to plan and evaluate programs and services, as required. Links clients with community and health care services, as required, for both acute and chronic conditions.
• Refers clients and ensures access to physicians, as needed. Provides follow-up when the diagnosis and/or treatment plan is unclear or beyond the scope of practice.
• Participates with the program manager and staff in writing policy and procedure manuals, including medical directives, and ensures they are reviewed annually and kept current per CNOS.  Plans, implements, and assists the program manager with yearly quality assurance reviews with staff as their practice relates to medical directives and other policy and procedures.
• Assists supervisor and director in developing and implementing a framework of clinical service delivery in consultation with manager, director, Medical Officer of Health (MOH), and/or Associate Medical Officer of Health (AMOH).  Participates in evaluation and research initiatives.
• Assists in coordinating Nurse Practitioner student placements, including preceptorship roles, evaluation, and linking college/university programs with divisional opportunities. Assesses student learning objectives and considers established program needs to identify opportunities.
• Maintains records, reports, and statistics necessary for program function and evaluation, including use of computer and relevant software.
• Complies with the regulations of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, and other relevant legislation, regulations, and mandatory guidelines.
• Participates in program staff meetings and orientation. Participates in continuing education activities, as required to maintain licensing as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Participates in the development of operational plans for the division.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Responsibility for Material/Financial Resources: Maintains a computer (for developing education resources, reports, and integrated Public Health information systems (iPHIS) entry), and clinical and audiovisual equipment used for own work in good working condition. Monitors vaccine and medication requiring refrigeration for required temperature, cold chain, expiry dates, and inventory levels.
• Acts as Preceptor/mentor and assigns, monitors, orients others assigned to division programs for clinical experience or observation of program activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess current Certificate of Competence as a Registered Nurse Practitioner with the College of Nurses of Ontario; a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing, including preparation in Public Health Nursing per the Health Protection and Promotion Act (amended 1997); current CPR certification; and  current immunization/proof of immunity for Hepatitis B.
• Thorough knowledge of strategies related to the reduction in incidence of communicable diseases and sexually transmitted infections, and immunization used in clinical settings. Working knowledge of the nursing process and nursing theory; health promotion strategies, including skill in conducting needs assessments and an ability to provide innovative health promotion activities in a variety of settings. Knowledge of communicable diseases, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, birth control, and pregnancy and sexuality issues, particularly as they relate to adolescents and young adults, and outbreak control of other communicable diseases and infection control measures.
• Research and evaluation skills and an ability to apply relevant health status data.
• Skill in counselling and telephone consultation, with proven interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with health care professionals and the public; provide nonjudgmental services to all individuals, and participate as an effective team member within a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Clinical skills for assessment and history taking, and expertise in infection control; CPR; venipuncture; vaccine administration and adverse reactions; topical, oral, injectable drugs; and specimen collection.
• Computer skills for data entry, case management, and document preparation, and skill in Internet-based searching and networking.
• Ability to travel to various locations within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization.
• Language Communication (Written & Verbal):
• Ability to verbally communicate complex technical information, educate, and express ideas clearly and concisely to clients, staff, people of all ages, and other groups. Ability to alter language to match comprehension level of the target group or client.
• Ability to write clearly using appropriate format and language for reports, agendas/minutes, business letters, pamphlets, clinical forms, and other documents.
• Ability to synthesize data and literature from various sources to support education, consultation, and health promotion activities.