Virtual NSWOC Resource

CarePartners is one of Ontario’s largest accredited home health care providers, providing nursing, personal support, therapy and rehabilitation support services for patients of all ages. We care for approximately 72,000 patients each year in homes, schools, clinics, workplaces and retirement homes, through our 24 locations and 22 nursing clinics. CarePartners is proud of its commitment to quality, relentlessly seeking to improve the patient and caregiver experience, promoting a healthy and resilient workplace culture, and contributing to a sustainable healthcare system in Ontario.

We continuously innovate to meet patient needs with specialized (award-winning) care programs and technology, including virtual care and AI

The virtual NSWOC resource functions as a member of the professional practice team supporting provincial nursing programs. The Virtual NSWOC resource is responsible for providing expert wound care consultations to patients with wounds, ostomy, and/or continence requirements. As a member of the professional practice team, the NSWOC will provide consultations remotely. The care plan is delivered according to CarePartners standards and expectations, Ontario Health at Home (OHAH), and the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

We are looking for a Virtual NSWOC Resource  to provide one on one care in the community/home setting as part of our interdisciplinary care team.

• Competitive salary, comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Employment perks such as Employee Assistance Program, Perkopolis, Rewards Points
• Flexible scheduling supporting employee work life balance
• Inspiring leadership and opportunities for professional growth
• Supportive & dedicated Safety Health & Wellness team & Pandemic Response team
• Interprofessional collaboration with our Professional Practice Research & Education Team

Patient Care

• The Virtual NSWOC Resource is accountable for the nursing care it directs, in accordance with current professional legislation and the guidelines and standards set out by the College of Nurses Care for patients virtually who require specialized assessment and recommendations for wounds, ostomy, and continence concerns. The virtual NSWOC Resource utilizes the Virtual NSWOC referral from the local nursing team and information within Procura to assess the client patient’s wound, ostomy or continence needs and patient’s wound, ostomy or continence needs and client-patient preferences.
• Interface with physicians and other health care professionals with the authority to order controlled acts to acquire appropriate orders according to standards and Best Practice Guidelines.
• Utilizes technology to access patient information, perform NSWOC-level assessments and direct visiting nurses to the care plan
• Makes culturally sensitive recommendations
• As part of the virtual NSWOC team, the professional practice team is required to respond to the virtual NSWOC referral within 48 hours.
• Champions the use of digital platforms and identifies infrastructure necessary to enable nimble and responsive frontline team members to support patient care
• Facilitates and champions the introduction of innovative practices, new practice ideas, approaches and programming in alignment with research initiatives, interprofessional and integrated care delivery

Supports Plan of Care

The Virtual NSWOC Resource will:

• Perform a thorough holistic assessment of each patient and identify the patient’s needs utilizing information from the patient, caregiver(s), the OHAH referral and other sources to develop a plan of care.
• Develop appropriate time-specific, measurable goals and outcomes in collaboration with the patient and/or caregiver(s) and local nursing team in keeping with the funder's goal for treatment
• Develop a comprehensive plan of care that reflects evidence-based practice, patient-based goal(s) and outcomes, and the physician’s orders
• In partnership with the local visiting nurses, implement the nursing care plan in accordance with the policies and procedures of CarePartners, ensuring that the plan of care promotes fiscal responsibility and patient empowerment
• Utilize effective teaching skills to promote local nursing and patient decision-making and independence
• Delegate procedures to patients, caregivers and/or home support workers as described in the CNO document: Working with Unregulated Care Providers
• Evaluate the patient’s response to treatment and revise the care plan and goals as necessary in consultation with the patient, caregiver, physician and/or funder Case Manager
• Teach RNs and RPN’s as deemed appropriate through the virtual care consult and preceptors’ new nurses or student nurses during their placement
• In partnership with a clinical practice specialist for wound ostomy and continence, I work with local and regional management on clinical goal setting and assist in performance management discussion
• Mentor and coach nurses at a local level and collaborate with Clinical Practice Leads and Nurse Managers on learning plans
• Participate on hiring committees including but not limited to NSWOCs, CPLs, NM
• Advise on disciplinary outcomes related to wound programming and provide remediation to nurses independently and/or in conjunction with local leadership
• Contribute to CNO reporting decisions and associated reports
• Contribute to wound care policies/programming
• Provide coverage of other provincial virtual NSWOCs
• Inform provincial wound care program

Documentation and Communication

The Virtual NSWOC Resource will:

• Utilize and document on the Virtual NSWOC ostomy consultation tool (W004A) and Virtual NSWOC wound consultation tool (W010a) the assessment, goals and outcomes, nursing care plan, the care provided and the patient’s response using the documenting policies and procedures set out by CarePartners and the funder.
• Communicate with the funder according to its standards
• Collaborate with other healthcare team members to develop a comprehensive plan of care for multi-service patients and participate in multi-disciplinary conferences as required.
• Regularly attend monthly meetings and in-services to support local nursing teams and patient care plans.
• Demonstrate initiative by continually upgrading their nursing scope of knowledge and skills through attendance at courses and workshops and reading professional journals
• Promote CarePartners Quality Improvement Program, Accreditation process and Health and Safety Programs. May participate on committees.
• Support patient safety by practicing according to policy and standards.
• Participate in patient safety-related education.
• Report events where patient safety has been compromised and works with management to develop solutions to prevent similar events.

• Graduation in the area of wound and ostomy and continence management from a recognized educational program from one of the following options: Nurses specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOC) or Wound, Ostomy, Continence program from the United States (WOC)
• Graduate of an approved Registered Nursing program
• Current College of Nurses RN Certificate of Competence
• Proven computer skills, including e-mail, word processor, work scheduling systems
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both oral and written form and must be fluent in English.
• Two years of recent acute care/community-based nursing experience. Additional Requirements
• More than five years of experience in leading clinical practice initiatives in a home care environment is an asset
• A clear background check

In addition to providing home-based health care, CarePartners also serves the community through clinics, transitional care units, and provides relief in retirement homes and shared care settings. Through our Community Nursing Services outreach program, we’ve been organizing staff-led medical care and clinics in countries with poor access to health care since 2009.

CarePartners welcomes and encourages applicants from people with disabilities. Candidates can request accommodations at any time in the hiring process.