Clinical Nurse Specialist
Weekdays, Monday to Friday
North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Temporary Full Time up to 9 Months
As scheduled, 37.5 hours weekly
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is a 315-bed academic and teaching hospital that provides specialized mental health, addiction and geriatric care. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, we serve some of the most complex and disadvantaged individuals in Ontario and are the sole provider of high-secure forensic mental health services in the province.
The North Simcoe Muskoka (NSM) Specialized Geriatric Services (SGS) Program is a regional program under the leadership of Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. The NSM SGS program was established in 2016 to advance the care of frail older adults in the NSM region and their caregivers. With a mandate for leadership, clinical service, education and mentorship, research and ethics as well as advocacy, the program collaborates with a broad variety of partners from within and outside the NSM health system to improve patient outcomes, build capacity and foster system change.
The Director, Specialized Geriatrics Services is currently seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Geriatrics. In this role, the CNS will bring expertise in the care of older adults with a specific focus on geriatric medicine. The position will be based on the tertiary mental health unit and work to advance clinical care and outcomes, build team capacity, develop programs and standards, and create partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders. A specific component of work will be tied to supporting responsive behaviour, Over time, the CNS will provide increasing clinical leadership across the organization to support scale and spread of leading practices
Please Note: This position offers a hybrid work environment consisting of in-office and remote work. Office location is 500 Church Street, Penetanguishene, ON. Travel within the region and beyond will be required.
For information about funding incentives for nurses, our enhanced employee referral program, housing, orientation and other employment-related information please follow this link to our employment web page. https://www.waypointcentre.ca/get-involved/join-our-team
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Implement the recognized competencies of an advanced practice nurse role: clinical practice and consultation; leadership; education/mentoring; and research.
- Provide excellence in clinical practice in the care of older adults and their care partners, including leading the development and implementation of clinical best practices, practice guidelines, standardized protocols, etc.
- Lead and support the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical services and programs to improve the quality of care provided to older adults and their caregivers.
- Provide clinical and consultative support in defined cases to advance clinical practice and build system capacity; mentors and coaches interprofessional teams in complex cases.
- Educate and mentor interprofessional teams and other clinicians to build regional and local capacity in the care of older adults and care partners.
- Promote a learning environment for older adults, care partners, health service providers, health care students, leaders and policy makers.
- Use research and leading practices to inform clinical care, education and planning. As appropriate, leads or participates in quality improvement initiatives and research to influence clinical practice, planning and/or policy.
- Participate in data and information analysis to identify and address gaps in care, issues in practice, risk issues and/or concerns impacting the safety of older adults or their caregivers.
- As appropriate, represent the NSM SGS Program locally, regionally and provincially.
- Build strong collaborative relationships with key internal and external partners and stakeholders.
- Lead and support key Waypoint committees, working groups and projects to support the scale and spread of leading practices.
- Managers have the right to assign additional duties and schedule alternate work locations based on operational requirements.
REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in Nursing or a related health-care discipline (urrent registration as a Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (Required)
- Certification in Gerontology and/or Geriatrics (e.g., GNC(C)) or equivalent specialized training (Required)
- Minimum 5 years recent experience working with older adults and care partners (Required)
- Experience working within a specialty area of geriatrics (medicine) (Required)
- Experience in advanced clinical practice with the ability to adapt to change, generate new knowledge and apply it in different ways to formulate and problem solve within a context of complexity and uncertainty (Required)
- Valid Ontario driver’s license and operational vehicle (Required)
- Minimum 3 years experience working with older adults in an acute care settings (ex. Inpatient or emergency settings) (Required)
- P.I.E.C.E.S., Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA), Positive Approaches to Care (PAC), Montessori training, experience working in an SGS team or in a regional role (Preferred)
- Experience working in a SGS team or in a regional role (Preferred)
- Advanced knowledge of geriatric medicine and geriatric mental health, responsive behaviour, comprehensive geriatric assessment and interprofessional collaborative practice.
- Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, project management, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong group facilitation and knowledge-to-practice skills, including an understanding of adult learning theory.
- Knowledge of quality improvement, research, and evidence-informed practice, with the ability to translate knowledge into clinical and system-level improvements.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple priorities and fostering positive relationships across teams and organizations.
- Proficiency in English and French is considered an asset
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Includes 6% in lieu of vacation to start and 14% in lieu of benefits OR 10% if enrolling in HOOPP
- Participation in the employee referral program
- Professional training & development opportunities for eligible staff
- Access to Waypoint’s Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
HOW DO I APPLY?
Waypoint employees apply through the Employee Self-Service portal at https://employees.waypointcentre.ca and external applicants apply to Join our Team, Career Opportunities | Waypointby close of business (4:00 pm)on July 31st, 2026 quoting Job ID WC26-176. Attach your cover letter and resume detailing why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications and key accountabilities specified. Waypoint does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants.
