Heidi Toews

Organized the intake of referred patients for psychiatry consultation, reviewing the referral letter, conducting chart audits, completing telephone histories, and gathering collateral to determine the need and urgency for consultation.

Drafted recommendation letters for referring a primary care provider when consultation is not required. Liaise with community physicians to provide feedback in clinical situations that have uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity.

Managed outpatient consultation schedules for each of the consulting psychiatrists, and links patients to appropriate community resources as requested by the patient or psychiatrist.

Participated in interdisciplinary team conferences to share information and develop treatment plans, as required.

Liaison with Community Mental Health Services, Shared Care, and Mental Health to review clinical cases as they relate to Psychiatry consultation needs, and organize appointments collaboratively.

Integrated Mental Health Act guidelines in maintaining confidentiality in all matters pertaining to patients, their families, staff members, and EMHC, while sharing appropriate information with the community and other hospital colleagues.

Worked collaboratively with the interdisciplinary health care team, patients, and their families to provide individualized care to the client.

Maintained an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment that ensured quality practice and improvement, and holistically supported the patient and their family through treatment.

Maintained current knowledge of mental health nursing practice, DSM-V, standards of safe practice, and developments in health care trends.

Fostered and facilitated student and collegial learning: Provided formal and/or informal education on mental health topics.

Assisted in the identification of mental health educational needs for patients, families and community. Identified need for quality improvement activities, participating in ongoing evaluation and revision of work processes resulting in improved patient care.

Regular chart audits to ensure that patient records are accurate, objective, and reflect the treatment provided and ongoing assessment.

Identified issues related to clinical practice using a problem-solving approach to achieve mental health program goals.

Maintained accurate and thorough documentation on patient’s health record. Identified and reported to the appropriate persons, significant changes in the patient’s condition.

• Developed the Mental Health Liaison Nurse program in partnership with Boundary Trails Health Centre as a pilot project.
• Responsible for the development of Standard Operating Procedures for the MHLN position, in collaboration with Psychiatry partners, local law enforcement, and community groups.
• Developed and presented education and promotion presentations to the community and health partners as they related to accessing care for mental health consumers through the ER.
• Worked collaboratively with the interdisciplinary care team in the provision of client-centered and recovery-oriented care, performing intake assessments, crisis intervention, and direct patient care to psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department and/or hospital inpatient units.
• Provides input into and assists with ensuring effective patient flow for assessed and admitted psychiatric patients, including those awaiting transfer for further assessment; assists with patient admission and transfer to ensure psychiatric services and bed destination are achieved in a timely manner.
• Responsible for orienting all new staff and physicians to the Mental Health department, and providing ongoing education to staff and residents, including being a preceptor to students.
• Acts as a patient advocate by assisting patients and their family members to access appropriate community resources.

• Responsible for providing rapid crisis intervention and support to all ER departments throughout Southern Manitoba for individuals having a mental health concern.
• Resolve the immediate crisis, stabilize the individual, and facilitate safe and appropriate transfers between justice, medical, and social services, as required.
• Community supports referrals (poverty, homelessness, therapy, etc.).
• Complex illness assessment, co-occurring disorders, harm reduction strategies, and motivational interviewing.
• Provide 24 hour telephone crisis intervention.

• Float/casual Inpatient Nurse for Adolescent/Adult units.

Inpatient Psychiatric care with Adult/Geriatric population

• Providing care: Assisting patients in addressing emotional and physical issues in crisis situations
• Developing treatment plans: Conducting assessments, including mental status exams and psychosocial assessments, to develop treatment plans for patients
• Supporting families: providing support to families, and acting as a role model for working with clients.
• De-escalating situations: using de-escalation techniques to stabilize patients' conditions and ensure their safety.
• Facilitating therapy: Leading individual, group CBT skills therapy sessions to help patients and develop skill base
• Collaborating with community resources: Working with community resources to help patients access psychiatric care, housing, and other support services
• Participating in treatment team meetings: Reviewing patient progress, discussing treatment options, and coordinating care transitions.
• Mobile Crisis unit clinician as needed. Provided community assessments and transport to ER's as required.

• Worked collaboratively with the interdisciplinary care team in the provision of person-centered and recovery-oriented care, performing intake assessments, crisis intervention, and direct patient care to psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department and/or hospital inpatient units.
• Provides input into and assists with ensuring effective patient flow for assessed and admitted psychiatric patients, including those awaiting transfer for further assessment; assists with patient admission and transfer to ensure psychiatric services and bed destination are achieved in a timely manner.
• Responsible for orienting all new staff and physicians to the Mental Health department, and providing ongoing education to staff and residents, including being a preceptor to students.
• Acts as a patient advocate by assisting patients and their family members to access appropriate community resources.
• In conjunction with Chaplaincy; responsible for caring for families coming to the ER with their loved ones for reasons of trauma and/or resulting death.

• Team lead on the six bed Behavior Disorders Unit. Provided specialized care and assessment for individuals experiencing cognitive decline and behavior disorders. Offered emotional and psychological support to both the individual and their families, helping people navigate the feelings of confusion and frustration that often accompany dementia. Enable individuals to maintain a sense of independence and dignity throughout their care journey.
• Trained staff in new EMR systems
• Weekly multidisciplinary care planning meetings with Psychology/geriatric psychiatry.