Job title:
Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) – Behavioural Supports Ontario Lead
Reports To:
Director of Nursing and Personal Care
Associate Director of Nursing and Personal Care
Position Status
Permanent Full-Time
67.5 hours bi-weekly (9 shifts)
Weekday shifts: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Weekend shifts: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (one Saturday every other weekend)
Salary: As per the applicable Collective Agreement.
Position Summary
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) is committed to enhancing care and services for older adults experiencing responsive behaviours associated with dementia, mental health, substance use, and other neurological conditions. The program supports residents in receiving the right care, in the right place, at the right time while promoting quality of life through person-centred, evidence-informed practices.
The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) BSO Team Lead provides clinical leadership for the home's Behavioural Supports Ontario program. Working collaboratively with the BSO Physician, nursing leadership, interdisciplinary team, Personal Support Workers, residents and families, the BSO Team Lead coordinates assessment, care planning, implementation of behavioural interventions, evaluation of outcomes, staff education, and quality improvement initiatives.
The incumbent serves as the home's clinical resource for responsive behaviours and promotes evidence-based, resident-centred approaches that enhance resident well-being, reduce unnecessary distress, and support staff in delivering consistent, compassionate care.
Qualifications
Required
- Current registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).
- Minimum one (1) year of experience in Behavioural Supports Ontario, long-term care, dementia care, geriatric mental health, or a related clinical setting.
- Current PIECES™ certification.
- Current Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) certification.
- Current U-First! certification.
- Current CPR certification.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Behavioural Supports Ontario principles and best practices.
- Knowledge of the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, applicable Ministry standards, and Resident Bill of Rights.
- Strong assessment, critical thinking, organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
- Proficiency with electronic health records and Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred
- Experience leading interdisciplinary teams.
- Experience with RAI-MDS and behavioural outcome measures.
- Experience facilitating staff education and coaching.
- Quality improvement experience.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership
- Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Behavioural Supports Ontario program.
- Serve as the clinical lead and resource for residents demonstrating responsive behaviours.
- Complete comprehensive behavioural assessments using evidence-informed assessment tools.
- Identify biological, psychological, environmental, social, and medical factors contributing to responsive behaviours.
- Develop individualized behavioural care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
- Monitor resident responses to interventions and revise care plans as required.
- Promote non-pharmacological, person-centred approaches to behavioural support.
- Support the reduction of unnecessary restraints and inappropriate psychotropic medication use whenever clinically appropriate.
Resident Care Coordination
- Maintain and prioritize the Behavioural Supports Ontario caseload.
- Review and triage new referrals in collaboration with nursing staff and leadership.
- Conduct regular follow-up assessments to evaluate resident progress.
- Provide one-to-one behavioural support interventions when appropriate.
- Participate in resident admissions where behavioural support needs have been identified.
- Support behavioural stabilization and crisis intervention.
- Coordinate care with external Behavioural Supports Ontario resources and community partners as required.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Collaborate with physicians, Nurse Practitioners, nursing staff, rehabilitation, recreation, dietary, social work, environmental services, and other interdisciplinary team members.
- Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, behavioural rounds, and resident care conferences.
- Communicate regularly with residents and families regarding behavioural care plans and interventions.
- Coordinate physician appointments related to behavioural management by ensuring all required clinical documentation is available, including medication administration records, laboratory results, weights, food and fluid intake records, behavioural documentation, cognitive assessments, depression screening tools, and other relevant clinical information.
- Accompany physicians during resident consultations when appropriate.
Staff Education and Clinical Coaching
- Provide ongoing education, coaching, and mentorship to nursing staff and Personal Support Workers regarding responsive behaviours and person-centred care.
- Support staff in applying PIECES™, GPA, U-First!, and other evidence-informed behavioural approaches.
- Assist staff in developing individualized strategies to support residents experiencing responsive behaviours.
- Participate in behavioural debriefings following significant incidents.
- Identify educational opportunities to enhance staff knowledge and confidence.
Documentation and Quality Improvement
- Complete Behavioural Support Assessments and My Behavioural Support Tip Sheets.
- Ensure timely, accurate, and comprehensive clinical documentation.
- Complete behavioural support rounds throughout the Home.
- Review documentation, behavioural tracking tools, and referral binders on each resident home area.
- Monitor behavioural outcomes and evaluate intervention effectiveness.
- Collect, analyze, and submit Behavioural Supports Ontario quarterly metrics and required program reporting.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives that enhance behavioural care, resident quality of life, and staff education.
- Support continuous evaluation and improvement of Behavioural Supports Ontario services within the Home.
Program Administration
- Monitor referrals to ensure timely assessment and intervention.
- Ensure Behavioural Supports Ontario program standards are maintained.
- Maintain program statistics and reporting requirements.
- Assist in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and best practices related to behavioural support.
- Maintain current knowledge of emerging best practices in dementia care, behavioural management, and geriatric mental health.
- Participate in committees and organizational initiatives as assigned.
Key Competencies
- Clinical assessment and critical thinking
- Behavioural assessment and intervention
- Dementia and geriatric mental health care
- Person-centred care
- Leadership and clinical coaching
- Collaboration and relationship building
- Conflict resolution
- Communication and interpersonal effectiveness
- Organization and time management
- Quality improvement
- Professional accountability
Working Conditions
- Frequent walking throughout the Home.
- Occasional lifting, repositioning, and assisting residents in accordance with safe work practices.
- Exposure to residents demonstrating responsive behaviours.
- Ability to respond calmly and effectively during behavioural crises.
- Ability to work evenings and scheduled weekends.
- Participation in education and professional development as required.
Accountability
The Registered Practical Nurse – Behavioural Supports Ontario Team Lead is accountable for providing clinical leadership that supports evidence-informed, person-centred behavioural care while promoting resident safety, dignity, quality of life, and positive outcomes. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining professional nursing standards, complying with organizational policies, collective agreement provisions, legislative requirements, and College of Nurses of Ontario standards of practice, while fostering a collaborative team environment and supporting continuous quality improvement.
Pay: $31.74-$35.06 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Education:
Experience:
Licence/Certification:
- PIECES Certification (required)
- U-First Certification (required)
- GPA Certification (required)
Work Location: In person
