Education
Master of Nursing Program- Athabasca University
Bachelor of Nursing Degree - Athabasca University- 2010
Licensed Practical Nurse -Hants Community Vocational School-1990
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Awards received
Bachelor of Nursing Degree with Distinction
Honors Achievement Award- Athabasca University-Transcript
Professional Nursing Experience
Alberta Health Services (AHS)- Consultant- Clinical Safety Leader- Integrated Quality Management- Addictions & Mental Health- Edmonton Zone.
As a Clinical Safety Leader, I am responsible for supporting patient safety and quality assurance activities within the Addictions and Mental Health Edmonton zone portfolio. Most of my work involves supporting the Addictions and Mental Health Quality Assurance Committee in their response to clinically serious adverse events. Often this response includes a Quality Assurance Review, which focuses on determining system issues related to the event and developing recommendations to prevent future harm to patients/clients. I also am responsible for reviewing reported safety concerns and identifying what options are available to address them. Additionally, I am responsible for assisting managers to gain a better understanding of safety concerns, acting as a consultant for quality committees, providing education on patient safety, promoting a just culture and participating in or leading additional activities that promote quality and safety.
Interior Health (IH)-Community Integration Care Coordinator--Mental Health & Substance Use
Areas of responsibility: Community MHSU-Intake, Adult Short-term Assertive Treatment, Case Management, Elderly Services, Early Psychosis Intervention, Crisis Response & Substance Use (including Community SU Counselling, Opioid Agonist Treatment and a Daily Addictions Recovery Program (DARP) within seven IH sites.
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In this position, I am responsible for the coordination of day to day operations and quality client care within seven MHSU community sites with multiple MHSU programs and support staff including Master Level clinicians, RSWs, nurses (RN & RPN), as well as a life skills worker.
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I provide clinical supervision as well as serves as a role model and a resource to staff for clinical decision-making, clinical assessment of clients and in the counselling and education of families. I review, analyses and makes recommendations on the development of administrative systems such as policies, procedures and standards of client care, adequate staffing levels, and maintenance of a continuous quality improvement environment. I liaise with interdisciplinary teams and community partners, including First Nation Bands, for the identification, coordination and efficient utilization of resources.
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Interior Health- Registered Nurse--Mental Health & Substance Use
Rural/Remote MHSU Nurse/Clinician- Lillooet /Lytton Hospital, BC-
In this position, working as a Mental Health and Substance Use RN Generalist, I provided community and emergency department crisis response, assessments, short-term counselling, case management, medication management and reconciliation, education, elderly services assessment and support, early psychosis intervention, and substance use services, including treatment, support and referrals to Regional programs and Psychiatry.
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Covenant Health - Registered Nurse--Mental Health & Substance Use
Mental Health & Addictions Inpatient Unit--Misericordia Hospital, Edmonton, AB
In this position, I was responsible for providing direct patient care to patients suffering from acute episodes of mental illness such as psychosis, major depression, manic depression, suicidal behaviours, addictions, and concurrent disorders. I was also responsible for charge nurse duties, performing preceptor duties, orientating new staff, assisting with and recovering patients following ECT and facilitating patient conferences.
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Academy of Learning- Nurse Educator
Health Care Aide Program Instructor, Edmonton, AB
Instructed and directly supervised students in both theory, lab and clinical components of Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Program.
Committees
Interior Health (IH) Clinical Ethics Committee
Ashnola Youth Treatment Centre-IH screening committee
Involved in several Interior Health working committee
Community Partners Wellness Committee
Recent Courses
MHSU Team Lead Education Training Courses
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Certifications
Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (CPMHN (C)) -Canadian Nurses Association & CNA-CPMHN (C) program mentor for past 4 years)
Certified Tobacco Educator (CTE)--Canadian Network for Respiratory Care
Other Courses/Conferences
Brief Solution Based Therapy, Emergency Preparedness, Identifying the Harm through Educational Interventions, Trauma Informed Practice, Cultural Competency (3 Part), Core Addictions Program, Adult Guardianship, ReAct Designated Responder, Motivational Interviewing (5-day course), Unlocking Suicidal Secrets, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, 9th Annual Empathy Conference, Effective De-escalation Techniques (EDT), Medication Awareness, Initiation of Intravenous Therapy, Thought Patterns for a Successful Career, Palliative Care Workshop-Cancer Care NS, Non-Aversive Behavior Management.
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