Position Summary
As a member of the interprofessional team, the Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Nurse provides comprehensive, specialized and advanced care for older adults/caregivers presenting in the Emergency Department (ED). The GEM Nurse provides consultative services and direct care. Working in collaboration with colleagues within and outside the department to advance geriatric best practices by implementing leading practices, promoting innovative approaches to care delivery and building team capacity through coaching and mentoring. The GEM Nurse will support the completion of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments in alignment with the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) core competency framework, promoting excellence in the nursing care of older adults/caregivers. The GEM Nurse will work with patients/caregivers as well as with partners within and outside the organization to meet patient/caregiver needs to achieve safe and successful transitions.
Key Responsibilities
Functional Role:
- Provide clinical nursing consultation to health care professionals and older adults/caregivers in the Emergency Department regarding geriatric health issues
- Compiles available information and, as relevant/available/appropriate, collects additional clinical history and collaborating information
- Identifies and summarizes both recognized and unrecognized clinical, functional, cognitive, social issues and/or risk issues
- Assesses, plans and, where appropriate/possible, implements and evaluates the care of older adults with complex geriatric health issues
- Facilitates client-centred care goal setting
- Assesses the coping strengths and supports of older adults/caregivers and plans appropriate interventions to meet needs and optimize abilities
- Contributes to the development of a collaborative management plan from a geriatric nursing perspective
- Collaborates with members of the interprofessional team to assist with discharge planning and transitions, including linking with key internal and external partners as appropriate
- Provides linkages to specialized geriatric services (geriatric medicine services and geriatric mental health teams)
- Advocates on behalf of older adults and their caregivers
- Advances organization capacity, safety and partnerships related to the care of older adults/caregivers:
- Identifies and implements GEM leading practices to support the screening, assessment and management of high-risk geriatric patients
- Plays an active role in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives related to older adults/caregivers
- Improves continuity of service through communication, promoting interprofessional practice and collaboration
- Builds capacity through education, coaching and mentoring to increase awareness and knowledge to better manage geriatric issues in the organization
- Role models of senior friendly care (sfCare) principles and strategies
- As appropriate, participates in regional planning related to the care of older adults/caregivers
- Participates in regional and other relevant GEM networks
Specific Role:
- Provides leadership in programming and education to advance sfCare initiatives (i.e. falls program, 3 “D” program, GPA program)
- Provides formal and informal educational opportunities to team members on care of older adults and their caregivers within the hospital to facilitate a cultural change in how we care for this unique group of patients (i.e. lunch and learn, at the bedside teaching)
- Liaison and collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team to provide a complete and focused approach to the patients from admission to discharge
- Key role in process changes reflective of Senior Friendly Hospital Strategy
- Performs other duties as may be assigned by the direct manager or designate.
Qualifications
Education
- Registered and in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) as a Registered Nurse is required.
- Completion of an approved nursing program BScN or equivalent is required.
- Completion of a Master’s Degree in Nursing or a related health care field, or near completion is considered an asset.
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) is required. CPR Level HCP (Health Care Provider) will be accepted as an equivalent.
- Completion of Gerontological Nursing Certification (CAN) is required.
Experience
- Minimum three (3) years’ experience with acute geriatric patients is required.
- Experience working in a specialized geriatric services team is considered an asset.
- Experience working in Emergency Services is considered an asset.
Skills and Traits
- Must be able to meet the physical and emotional responsibilities of the role, including standing and walking for extended periods, frequent and repetitive pushing, pulling, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds, as well as safely operating equipment.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, as outlined in the Physical Demands Analysis (PDA).
- Demonstrates proficiency in written and verbal communication, with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Provides excellent customer service and contributes positively to teamwork and collaborative working relationships.
- Effectively prioritizes workload, adapts to changing priorities, and remains composed in fast-paced or stressful environments.
- Works independently with sound judgment, while remaining flexible to meet departmental and organizational needs.
- Demonstrates understanding of, and commitment to, equity, diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety.
- Upholds professionalism, ethical conduct, confidentiality, and respectful interactions.
- Models behaviour aligned with OSMH’s mission, vision, and values.
- Uses required technology and digital tools effectively and demonstrates a willingness to learn new systems.
- Contributes to a culture of safety and continuous improvement by identifying risks, following safe work practices, and supporting quality initiatives.
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through continuous learning and reflective practice.
- Maintains clinical knowledge and skills in accordance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and evidence-informed practices.
- Maintains active registration and good standing with the appropriate regulatory college, where applicable.
- Applies critical thinking and sound clinical judgment to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
- Follows all clinical protocols, infection prevention and control practices, and safety procedures relevant to the role.
- Documents care and clinical activities accurately, clearly, and in accordance with hospital and regulatory requirements.
Other
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through participation in continuing education and self-directed learning opportunities.
Our Employees Enjoy
- A professional practice environment
- A collaborative atmosphere with emphasis on teamwork
- Wellness initiatives
- Continuing education grants
- Employee recognition and assistance programs
- A competitive salary and benefits package
- An equal opportunity for growth and development
Employment Equity
- OSMH is committed to diversity and equity in the workplace and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons and others who may contribute to a diverse workplace.
Accommodation in the Workplace
- Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, equal opportunity and maintaining a barrier-free selection process for job applicants. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known to the Human Resources department when contacted. All requests are handled confidentially.
Health & Safety Responsibilities
- OSMH is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive working environment by treating team members and patients with compassion accountability respect and engagement.
All team members must adhere to OSMH’s Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and protocols, as well as the duties of workers as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Team members must be able to perform all bona fide and essential duties of the position which may include cognitive and physical demands.
As a condition of employment, new employees are required to complete an employment health assessment and must be cleared by the Occupational Health and Safety Team prior to orientation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Hiring at OSMH
- OSMH may utilize automated screening tools (i.e. questionnaires) to highlight candidates' qualifications; however, OSMH does not involve the use of artifical intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants. We recommend applying directly through our website as all applications are reviewed by our recruitment team.
Closing Statement
- OSMH is a minimal fragrance workplace. We kindly ask all applicants to refrain from using scented products should they have the occasion to interview with the hospital. As a condition of employment OSMH requires professional references, verification of academic training, professional accreditation and evidence of course completion. It is also a condition of employment that all new employees will be required to present an original vulnerable sector check within 90 days of commencing employment and must sign an Offense Declaration upon receipt of an offer of employment.
If you are interested in joining our team, please apply online before 11:59 pm on the posting close date. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
