Program Description:
The Adult Inpatient Mental Health Program is a provider of adult mental health services primarily for Middlesex County. The program offers stabilization and treatment for adults over 16 years of age.
The inpatient service offers short-term admissions for crisis stabilization, assessments of a variety of mental health spheres and coordination with community resources for follow up treatment and community support after discharge. Care provided includes
crisis intervention, individual support and milieu management.
The inpatient units have therapeutic links with the mental health community and integrate the discharge planning with the community agencies and their personal.
Partners in providing a continuum of care include: Canadian Mental Health Association, WOTCH, the London Inter-community Health Centre, the London Crisis Centre, Mission Services and the Regional Mental Health Centre-London among others.
General Information:
Number of Beds:
- 68 inpatient beds, including 4 short-stay beds,
- 1 psychiatric intensive care unit comprising of 4 beds
Team Composition:
- Nurses, Medical, Residents, Nursing and Allied health students, Psychiatrists,Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Educator, Internist, Neuropsychologists, Psychologists
- Average length of stay: 14 days
- Nurse to patient ratio: 1:6 (days); 1:8 (nights)
- Hospital Location: Level 7 & 8, South Street Hospital (SSH)
Scheduling Information:
- 0800-2000hrs; 2000-0800hrs; 4hrs, 8hrs available
- Preset schedule
- Full time, part time, casual positions available
Background Essentials:
- Special consideration given to students completing consolidation on the inpatient Mental Health units.
- 2 years acute care nursing or related experience recommended but not required
Professional Assets:
- Strong interpersonal skills grounded in the Emotional Intelligence Framework and knowledge of Self/Others,
- Ability to work as part of a team in a fast paced and changing environment,
- A desire to achieve a specialized knowledge of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.
Professional Development:
- Regular in-services are provided to staff such as Code White and Restraint Reviews, Managing Aggressive Behavior. Multidisciplinary, multi-site televideo conferencing on all aspects of Mental Health Care.
- Professional Development is supported through the activities of the Education Committee. Staff nurses are recognized and reimbursed for time spent engaged in the Nursing Professional Practice Working Group and/or the Occupational Health
and Safety Working Group.
Student Consolidation:
- Students are valued. Staff has preceptor experience and clinical instructor experience.
- Many opportunities exist within Mental Health Care to enhance your understanding of how individuals and their families cope with mental health issues.
- Enhance your skills within a comprehensive program.
Program Links:
- http://www.lhsc.on.ca/mhcp/
- Journal of Psychosocial Nursing (among others)
- Mental Health Care Web site through LHSC web page.
- Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario
- Certification course links: Canadian Nurses Association
