PURPOSE OF POSITION

The primary purpose of this position is to provide quality care to all employees of Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) and participate in the delivery of the Occupational Health Programs and Services including: new employee health medicals; assessment and care and return to work guidance of injured and ill staff; staff TB testing and immunization; champion for influenza vaccination campaign; conduct exposure and outbreak surveillance activities; health promotion and teaching; and employee assistance and counselling. Responsible for ensuring confidentiality in accordance with PHIPA legislation and the Privacy policy.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the Manager of Human Resources, Occupational Health & Wellness and Safety, the Occupational Health Nurse is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Occupational Health & Wellness department, with knowledge and experience in Occupational Health and proven leadership skills, who enjoys working in a team environment, ensuring all decisions and actions are taken in accordance with current legislation, regulations, and hospital policies and procedures.

The incumbent will provide training and education where needs are identified, ensuring legislative, regulatory or policy requirements are met. They will ensure that training and education related to Occupational Health and Safety that is provided at the department level meets the goals and objectives established by the department.

The incumbent will provide treatment room assessment, first-aid health counselling services, crisis intervention for on-the-job injury and illness and arranging follow up medical care as necessary.

Other occupational health services:

• Provides initial assessments for all new employees to ensure their good health and appropriate placement;
• Provides immunological services;
• Participates in health promotion and health education activities
• Coordinates medical surveillance programs (responding to communicable disease exposures and outbreaks),
• Coordinates, promotes, implements and delivers annual flu vaccine clinics for all internal clients across the organization
• Participates in updating and revising departmental policy and procedures on an annual or bi-annual basis;
• Follows medical directives as ordered by the Occupational Health Physician;
• Provide ergonomic assessments as needed
• Maintaining health files and records and confidentiality of same;
• Perform administrative duties to deliver operational excellence
• Maintaining supplies and equipment, including medications and vaccinations;
• Provide support to managers regarding case management, disability, accommodation and return to work cases as assigned
• Assists in the preparation of regular and ad hoc reports for senior management and the HR Team; contributes to the quarterly updates of the HR Metrics and overall operating plan.
• Provides coverage for the Disability Case Mgmt Specialist. Provides coverage in the absence of the Health and Safety Specialist for WSIB related injuries.
• Other related activities within the Occupational Health & Wellness department, as assigned.
• Responsible to recognize and report patient, staff, and environment safety issues, identify and implement preventative and corrective actions, within the scope of this role.
• Responding to Code Blues related to staff
  
  

QUALIFICATION & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario in good standing
• Member of the Ontario Occupational Health Nurse Association (OOHNA) considered an asset.
• Diploma or Certification in Occupational Health & Safety (or in progress)Current First Aid -Health Care Provider
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in an Occupational Health Nursing in a Hospital Setting in a unionized setting
• NIDMAR (certification) is an asset
• Strong computer skills in MS Office is required,
• Experience working with the Parklane system considered an asset

KNOWLEDGE:

Job requires knowledge of general nursing theory and practice and health activities;

• knowledge of facility policies and procedures, and knowledge of relevant sections of legislation such as the Regulated Health Professions Act and Health Care Consent Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) , Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) and Public Health Act to provide nursing and employee health services and advice to employees and/or resolve issues related to workplace, disability, Accommodation, return to work through health counselling, preventive health services, basic emergency medical care treatment to ill/injured employees.
• Knowledge of the practices and legislation relating to occupational health nursing.
• Knowledge of computer applications to update files and prepare statistical reports.
• Utilizes experience in wellness promotion and safety prevention techniques to promote a healthy and safe working environment
• Interprets Physical Demands Analysis for modified work to ensure safe and successful RTW for employees
• Ability to identify issues of varying degrees of complexity to manage crisis and minimize exposure for the organization

ATTRIBUTES AND COMPETENCIES

• Written and oral communication skills to correspond with stakeholders on decisions related to accommodation, return to work, and illness/disability claims where there may be resistance to the decision; uses listening skills with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues/problems and develop solutions and manage emotionally charged situations;
• Works with internal stakeholders to promote collaboration, solicit information, feedback and/or participation to facilitate successful deliverables and the best HR outputs for health, safety and wellness matters.
• Develops and sustains contacts with industry counterparts to build information exchange networks and maintain best practice knowledge.
• This role deals with issues or problems of varying degrees of complexity. Information is compiled for analysis used to identify appropriate solutions. Decisions on actions are based on clinical information, legislative requirements, policies and procedures,
• Identifies risks and issues around the organization's compliance with related legislation and regulations that can impact the organization's public image.
  
  

SKILLS:

• Extensive experience in problem solving/reasoning skills to elicit and interpret information from staff regarding return to work, modified work and permanent accommodation meetings.
• Excellent analytical skills to assess employee response to basic emergency treatments and to determine course of action e.g. administration of medication or referral to hospital for further assessment or treatment.
• Proven ability to apply nursing and social principles; creative thinking along with the ability to deal with challenging RTW issues.
• Excellent oral communication skills to provide counselling to employees on health issues and to liaise with program/ managers, health care providers and WSIB regarding employees returning to work.
• Demonstrated negotiation, conflict resolution and coaching skills
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills Including tact and diplomacy
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team as well as independently with minimal supervision;
• Ability to meet and prioritize deadlines and work under pressure
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time management abilities to ensure that assignments are completed within deadlines and established time frames
• Ability to switch priorities at a fast pace, balancing competing demands for time and resources.
• Motivated, self-directed and able to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to be utilize discretion to advise staff on available rehabilitation programs.
• Demonstrated diplomacy in working with other health care providers, ability to handle sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality of medical information.
• Ability to prepare statistical reports.
• Excellent computer and information skills (Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and claims management software; experience with Parklane
• Understanding the financial impacts of absence management and the responsibilities of the hospital.
• Familiarity working with Collective Agreements , and all relevant legislation.

CONFIDENTIALITY

• Accountable for understanding the confidentiality, Privacy and Code of Conduct policies for Ontario Shores.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Partner with the Disability Case Mgmt Specialist, and Human Resources to ensure effective adjudication of benefit entitlement, adequate support for employees absent due to injury occupational or non-occupational injury or illness, and a timely, safe and appropriate return to work.
• Will be engaging with 3rd party Disability Mgmt group for timely case management.
• Provide timely updates to the Management group on the status of staff absence
• Provide current and proactive advice and education to employees and managers on relevant legislation, policies and best practices in regard to disability management.
• Lead collaboration of workplace parties to develop return to work plans and coordinate all parties on safe work practices, rights and responsibilities under WSIB, OHRC, AODA and any other applicable legislation
• Timely reporting to WSIB and other stakeholders of reports or data related to workplace injuries and/or incidents.
• Accountable to maintain attendance to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.
• Follows procedures and guidelines for Ontario Shores.
• Ability to flex hours based on work demands.

FREEDOM OF ACTION:


Job requires working in accordance with facility, ministry, legislative, and nursing practice parameters. Daily activities are coordinated with other Occupational Health Nurses with direct reporting to the Manager of Occupational Health & Wellness. Position exercises discretion re: return to work programs (e.g. assessing capabilities and task assignments based on restrictions provided by treating physician, identifying suitable goals, developing modified work plans, monitoring progress, and modifying plans. Job requires submitting regular progress reports to manager on activities and seeking advice on problems. Job requires that work be reviewed through feedback from participants and general discussion with supervisor.

Ontario Shores is dedicated to fostering equitable employment opportunities and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We are committed to supporting candidates requiring accommodations and invite you to inform us of any needs during the recruitment process.

We welcome applicants who embrace respect and are dedicated to collaboratively cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We particularly encourage applications from individuals who have encountered historical or current barriers to equity.

Contract End Date: 1 Year

Job Posting Closing: December 24, 2024 at midnight.
*Please note any job applications after the closing date will not be considered.