Southlake is building healthy communities through outstanding care, innovative partnerships, and amazing people. We deliver a wide range of healthcare services to the communities of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Our advanced regional programs include Cancer Care and Cardiac Care and serve a broader population across the northern GTA and into Simcoe-Muskoka.

Our team of nearly 6,000 staff, physicians, volunteers, students and Patient and Family Advisors are committed to creating an environment where the best experiences happen. As a recognition of our commitment to quality and patient safety, we have received the highest distinction of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada.

Job Summary

The Discharge Nurse works as a member of the medicine/inpatient cancer service’s interprofessional team providing discharge planning services and expertise to patients ensuring each patient has a discharge plan within 24 hours of admission to the inpatient unit. They will engage with the patient and family in the process and make the transition in care safe and effective manner.

As a member of the interprofessional health care team, the Discharge Nurse plays an important role in Southlake’s purpose of “Building healthy communities through outstanding care, innovate partnerships, and amazing people” by living the Southlake values and upholding the hospital Code of Conduct.

Primary Responsibilities

• Promotes optimal patient and clinical outcomes by assessing and facilitating the effective management of patient care, utilization of resources and length of stay.
• Addresses identified processes and/or other issues impeding the patients flow from admission to discharge.
• Facilitates and patriciates in appropriate patient care planning in daily bullet rounds and case conferences.
• Attends joint discharge rounds.
• Assists the patient, family and caregiver to better understand the impact of their illness/disability.
• Provides information and education to patients, families and caregivers pertaining to their plan of care including discharge.
• Provides patient and family focused care within the RN scope of practice, based on the three factor framework of the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Holds primary responsibility for discharge planning and process in the medicine/inpatient cancer service.
• Practices collaboratively with members of the internal and external healthcare team to provide elements of care for patients with complex health issues.
• Provides consultation and/or clinical front line support to peers as needed.
• Assist and support in day-to-day clinical care activity as required.
• Contributes to the assessment and documentation of each patient's health status on an ongoing basis including, but not limited to, Meditech and RM&R.
• Liaise with internal and external partners to expedite information transfer to timely referrals, acceptance and submission to the next level destination of care.
• Coordinates comprehensive discharge plan to patients, families and the health care team.
• Facilitates ALC escalation process and manager involvement as when appropriate.
• Participates in the strategies that are established by the clinical service team to achieve program specific goals.
• Ensures the patient has the required information upon discharge, such as discharge summary, prescriptions and any follow up appointments.
• Participates in regular education and training for staff and physicians to ensure the discharge process is followed and understood.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of this position.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing preferred
• Minimum five (5) years acute care nursing experience required
• Minimum five (5) years nursing experience in acute medicine preferred
• Two (2) years experience in discharge planning preferred
• Collaborative working relationship with an interprofessional health care team.
• Effective communication and counselling skills
• Strong commitment to Patient and Family Centred Care
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates a strong patient and customer focused philosophy in all interactions
• Possess the ability to implement strategies that effectively facilitate change.
• Demonstrates clinical decision-making and organizational skills
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service and teamwork
• Demonstrated individual leadership skills

As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the Hospital’s Occupational Health and Safety department. Successful candidates will be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination (two doses) from the Ontario Ministry of Health website or other authorized source directly to the Occupational Health and Safety department. In the event that you are unable to be vaccinated as a result of a ground protected under the Human Rights Code, you may submit a written explanation of the ground and any supporting documentation to determine if you are exempt from this requirement to the recruitment team. A recruitment representative may follow up with you for further information if necessary.

At Southlake, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve, including those with disabilities. Southlake is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

It is the responsibility of all Southlake employees to work in a safe manner and promote health and safety in the workplace.