Kacee Ignerowicz

The Mental Health Consultant Liaison nurse, working within a collaborative, interdisciplinary team model, provides direct consultation and support to individuals suffering from mental health and addiction issues within a hospital setting.

• Responsible for triaging consults and completing comprehensive formal and informal assessments using experience, skills, and knowledge from nursing theory and principals pf physical health, mental health, and addictions.
• Working closely with a wide variety of service providers and disciplines that are working with inpatients with mental health and addiction issues on hospital units.
• Assisting in coordinating discharge care plans in collaboration with physicians, nursing, and other healthcare providers, assessing the need for and making referrals to community services.
• Teaching and counseling clients, patients, residents, families, and nursing staff with processes, building a capacity of knowledge with the health care team and caregivers in the clinical area of mental health and addictions.
• Educating and adhering to the standards set out in the Mental Health Act of Saskatchewan as well as the licensing body of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Saskatchewan.
• Ensure accurate documentation of patient information, treatment plans, and progress notes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges to ensure smooth transitions between departments or facilities.
• Served as a resource person for colleagues seeking guidance on complex psychiatric cases or clinical challenges encountered within the unit.

Providing direct patient care and facilitating the provision of care by supporting, counseling and guiding personnel, patients and their responsible others.

• Facilitated group therapy sessions for patients, fostering an open dialogue about mental health topics and coping strategies.
• Managed challenging behaviors effectively through de-escalation techniques and implementation of behavior management plans.
• Conducted suicide risk assessments routinely to identify high-risk individuals in need of additional intervention or monitoring within the facility setting.
• Administered psychotropic medications as prescribed, monitoring side effects and adjusting dosages as needed under physician guidance.
• Increased patient satisfaction with nursing care by providing compassionate and empathetic support during crisis situations.
• Utilized critical thinking skills to identify subtle changes in patient behaviors or symptoms that may indicate a need for immediate intervention or reassessment of treatment plans.
• Collaborated with physicians to develop individualized treatment plans, ensuring optimal patient care and progress towards recovery goals.
• Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based care plans and collaborating with interdisciplinary team members.
• Responded to numerous volatile situations and violent outbreaks to restore safety and security of patients and staff.
• Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
• Optimized unit workflow by regularly assessing staffing needs and adjusting schedules accordingly.

• Provided routine skincare by helping residents in applying non-prescription topical medications to skin.
• Supplied physical support to assist patients in performing daily living activities such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking.
• Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
• Encouraged and provided moral support for patients to help adjust to disabilities and illnesses.
• Working with high-needs residents including those on ventilators.