Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychosocial Oncology
University Health Network · Toronto, ON, Canada
UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.
www.uhn.ca
Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: Replacement
Site: Princess Margaret Hospital
Department: PM Nursing Leadership
Reports to: Director, Professional Practice
Salary: $50.98 - $63.72 per hour
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Status: Permanent Full Time
Closing Date: November 4, 2026
Position Summary:
Psychosocial Oncology is a specialty in cancer care focused on the impact of cancer upon the whole person including the social, psychological, emotional, spiritual and functional aspects of the illness experience. The Psychosocial Oncology division of the Department of Supportive Care is an integrated, multidisciplinary team of clinicians that work together to meet the psychosocial needs of Princess Margaret patients and families from diagnosis, throughout the trajectory of illness.
Individuals with cancer and severe mental illness (SMI) are a constituency of patients facing disparities of care affecting their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Patients with SMI who develop cancer have unique psychosocial and medical needs and concerns during their illness trajectory. The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role within the psychosocial oncology program will aim to reduce the health disparities experienced by individuals with cancer and severe and persistent mental illness.
Duties
- Provide advanced nursing care to inpatients and outpatients with cancer and co-occurring severe mental illness
- Conduct comprehensive screening and assessment of oncology patients undergoing active cancer treatment, including assessment of the needs of their essential caregivers
- Collaborate with the interprofessional team to develop proactive, integrated patient care plans addressing the complexities of cancer treatment and severe mental illness
- Support the development and implementation of a team-based model of cancer mental health care to address gaps in care for this vulnerable patient population
- Participate in multidisciplinary outpatient cancer mental health clinics
- Respond to Code Whites and urgent mental health concerns identified by cancer care teams
- Provide clinical leadership and consultation to strengthen the delivery of integrated cancer and mental health care
- Lead and contribute to activities across the domains of advanced nursing practice, including Clinical Practice, Leadership, Research, Collaboration and Change Agent
- Establish program and role evaluation metrics and support ongoing data collection and evaluation
- Participate in and contribute to research and quality improvement activities related to cancer and mental health care
- Develop, deliver and participate in education and professional development activities
- Build capacity within the cancer program by providing education, consultation and support to enhance care for patients with cancer and severe mental illness
- Completion of a Master’s degree program in Nursing or recognized equivalent.
- Demonstrated expertise as a Clinical Nurse Specialist preferred.
- Experience with patients with severe and persistent mental illness preferred.
- Program development skills preferred.
- Experience in nursing research methodology
- Eligible for cross-appointment to an academic institution
- Current certificate of registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
- Certification in Oncology Nursing and/or Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing preferred
- Membership in the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) and other organizations relevant to the role preferred
- Knowledge of data management programs
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Effective interpersonal and customer services skills
- Excellent organization and time management skills
- Excellent decision making, problem recognition and problem solving skills
- Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Program planning and evaluation methodology skills
- Commitment to collaborative practice
- Ability to work effectively independently and under stressful conditions
- Ability to work in a self-directed manner
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple demands
- Ability to utilize information technology
- Current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support required
Why join UHN?
In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.
- Competitive offer packages
- Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
- Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
- A flexible work environment
- Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
- Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)
Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.
All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.
UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly. At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.
Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.
UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.