WellFort is seeking a full-time Nurse Practitioner to join our Pediatric Care Team!

Our Vision: A healthier community where everyone belongs.
Our Mission: High quality, accessible care for all.
Our Values: Client-Centred, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Diversity, Equity

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) will integrate advanced knowledge of nursing practice and theory, comprehensive health assessment and diagnosis, therapeutic management, health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management to provide primary health care across the lifespan, with a strong focus on pediatric and youth populations, including children, adolescents, and their families.

The NP will work both independently and collaboratively with pediatric patients, families, caregivers, interdisciplinary team members, and other healthcare providers to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed clinical care and outreach services.

Care will be family-centred, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate, addressing both health and social determinants of health.

While the proportion of time allocated to specific functions may vary according to service needs, the advanced nursing role encompasses a combination of direct pediatric clinical care, health promotion, patient and caregiver education, advocacy, community development, program development, and evaluation, with an emphasis on improving health outcomes for children and youth.

Accountability 

 The NP will practice within the full scope of practice as outlined in, but not limited to, the following documents:  

• The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Nurse Practitioner Practice Standard 
• Nursing Act (1991) and Regulated Health Professions Act (1991)  
• The NP will maintain privacy and confidentiality in accordance with the Canadian Nurses.  
• Association (CNA) Professional Code of Ethics and adhere to the policies and procedures of WellFort.  
• The NP will report to an assigned Manager. 

Specific responsibilities 

Health Assessment and Diagnosis:

• Perform a focused and/or holistic health assessment, health history, and physical examination based on the client needs and across the lifespan (e.g., prenatal, postpartum, well-baby, infants, adolescents, adults, and older adults). 
• Using strong clinical reasoning skills, synthesize health assessment information and evidence-informed practice to formulate differential diagnoses and communicate normal/abnormal findings to the clients. 
• Consultation with other health professionals as required in establishing a diagnosis and plan of care. 
• Order and interpret screening, diagnostic procedures, and other investigations within the CNO scope of practice and ensure timely follow-up. 

Therapeutic Management:

• Collaborate with clients and consult with other health care providers to establish priorities and ensure coordination of the plan of care. 
• Select appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions, health counselling and advice, and health promotion/disease prevention recommendations to restore, maintain and/or promote optimal health. 
• Provide individual counselling to clients with chronic disease while utilizing a self-management approach and ensure ongoing evaluation and modification of the plan of care. 
• Participate in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of treatment, counselling, and health promotion services for individuals, families, and the community. 
• Provide counselling and support to clients with mental concerns, emotional problems or other difficulties and make referrals to internal or external programs and services  
• Dispense medications to clients without access to medications as delegated by a health centre physician and clinical protocols. 
• Provides services to clients at outreach locations. Maintains contact as required by Clinical Protocols with the physician or other staff through telephone consultation. 

Health Promotion & Education: 

• Identify trends or issues related to the health status of priority groups and uses the information in planning and advocacy work. 
• Actively participate in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion, education and support programs that are relevant to the community served by WellFort, at off-site locations, and in collaboration with community partners. 
• Provide health information and counselling to individuals and groups through discussion, workshops/presentations, health fair displays, videos and the provision of written materials. 
• Act as a resource to WellFort staff and in partner/community organizations on specific and general issues regarding chronic disease management. 
• Promote and increase awareness of health promotion activities with clients including immunizations, flu shots, smoking cessation, risk assessment, lifestyle modifications, and assess readiness for change. 

Advocacy & Community Development:

• Advocate for and with clients to reduce barriers to accessing health care and other services in the health centre and the broader community. 
• Work with clients, especially those who traditionally experience barriers to access to ensure that they are treated with fairness and dignity. 
• Participate in the development and support of public policies and strategies that have a positive influence on the determinants of health. 
• Engage with the community to enhance its ability to function independently, to improve or protect the environment, and to support the development of healthy public policy and practice. 
• Participate in community projects or WellFort activities to provide education, information and/or to develop collaborative strategies. 

Administration: 

• Maintain clear, accurate, and timely written electronic documentation including EMR, requisitions, reports, encounters, and other information as required by the health centre, MOH, CNO and other regulatory bodies. 
• Contribute to policy/protocol development, in relation to health care service delivery and/or professional practice. 
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of government guidelines, acts and legislation affecting client care. 
• Stays current on evidence-based strategies that improve health. 
• Supervise, support, or provide education for students from various disciplines with a particular focus on the determinants of health, primary health care and the role of nursing within WellFort. 
• Share responsibility for the ordering, maintenance, and proper handling of medications, vaccines, supplies, and equipment. 

Professional Development 

• Conduct practice and maintain professional competence according to CNO Practice Standards. 
• Maintains membership in good standing with the CNO. 
• Join relevant professional groups to maintain professional linkages and support (e.g., RNAO, NPAO). 
• Participate in Quality Improvement Programs, chart audits and peer audit process as required. 
• Participate in ongoing clinical supervision as per WellFort’s policy. 
• Maintains and develops current professional competency through professional development by ongoing learning, medical education, experience and reflective practice. 
• Participates in educational activities according to the needs of the centre and personal career goals. 

Research and Teaching: 

• Participates in research when opportunities arise. 
• Facilitate clinical placements and contribute to academic partnerships through the supervision and support of medical learners and family practice residents. 

Other: 

• Provide care delivery at any of the office sites as program needs dictate. 
• Consistent access to a vehicle for responsive care delivery at any care delivery location. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time. 

Contribution to team and centre activities: 

• Participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary teams. 
• Participates in the overall activities of the health centre (e.g.,) in-service training, committees, special events, and shared staff responsibilities. 
• Communicates clearly, listen actively, be open to feedback, handle conflict appropriately, and display sensitivity to others 
• Collaborates well with others, promotes cooperation and teamwork. 
• Participates in WellFort’s commitment to becoming discrimination-free and an inclusive health centre that strives to ensure that programs and services are as accessible as possible. 
• Maintains the reputation and confidentiality of WellFort and its clients at all times 
• Endorses models and promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. 
• Works in a manner that respects and values the diversity of communities and individuals. 
• Works in a manner that reflects WellFort’s mission, values, and service delivery approach. 
• Adheres to all applicable WellFort policies and procedures. 
• Develops and maintain a flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs of the clients, community and WellFort. 

Qualifications 

• Undergraduate degree in Nursing required; Masters of Science in Nursing (MScN) preferred. 
• Current registration with the CNO as a Registered Nurse Practitioner.   
• Current membership with RNAO or NPAO and evidence of liability insurance required.  
• Council of Ontario University Program in Nursing (COUPN) Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate is an asset. 
• Nursing experience in a variety of primary care settings is an asset. 
• Completed a “Prescribing Narcotics and Controlled Substances” courses approved by CNO Council is an asset.  
• Experience and/or openness to working with communities and individuals who face barriers accessing traditional health care institutions for reasons such as poverty, discrimination, mental health, substance use issues, and others.  
• A capacity for critical analysis of the determinants of health and social factors, such as power dynamics that affect individual, organizational and community health.  
• Excellent written communication and oral skills that meet the needs of the individual and/or community at the appropriate literacy level.  
• Experience working with confidential and time sensitive documents and information.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.  
• Experience working in a value based non-profit or social services organization.  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and interdependently in an interdisciplinary team environment in which the skills and responsibilities of each team member are recognized and respected.    
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of computers and various computer software applications, such as Electronic Medical Record (EMR).  
• Ability to speak languages relevant to the residents of the organization’s community is an asset.