Josie Fusco Page * of 5-905-***-**** or 416-***-****
Barrie, ON ************@******.***
L4M 6N9
PROFILE
Astute clinician with over 20 years’ experience in adult/geriatricmental healthand addictions
with an emphasis on implementation of best practice/evidence based care. 15+years’ experience
as a Nurse Practitioner in various hospital and community settings, within US and Canada,
with a focus on mental health and substance abuse. Experienced in a variety of therapeutics
and treatment modalities; such as, consultation, individual supportive and cognitive behavior therapy, to name a few. Experienced in working in Shared Care model of health care delivery
system. Advanced level of clinical competence in caring for the complex medically ill patients
with mental health and addiction problems. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent
judgment and to assess situations and problems efficiently and effectively. Delivers safe,
cost-effective, culturally sensitive care. Committed to enhancing academic endeavors for self
and staff. Strengths include excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and teaching skills. Adapts well to changing environments. Conscientious and highly reliable self-starter.
Proven skills in problem solving. A supportive team member who works effectively with others.
EXPERIENCE
Health Care Consultant
Omni Care Consultant, Vaughan, Ontario Oct.2019-Current
• Provide on-site psychogeriatric assessments and seminars/training for caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Provide in-home comprehensive psychogeriatric assessment, consultation and follow-up.
Nurse Practitioner
Balanced Well Being LLC.
Oxford, Fl June 2018-June 2019
Provided consultation, medication management, telehealth and follow-up of adult and geriatric clients with mental health, neuropsychiatric and substance abuse problems within out-patient settings, including Retirement Homes, Assisted Living facilities and Long-Term Care facilities.
Health Care Consultant
Omni Care Consultant, Vaughan, Ontario Feb.2015-May 2018
Provide on-site psychogeriatric assessments and seminars/training for caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Provide in-home comprehensive psychogeriatric assessment, consultation and follow-up.
CNS, Mental Health
Mackenzie Health Richmond Hill Hospital, Richmond Hill, Ontario 2011-Feb.2015
As a member of Professional Practice, engages in direct and indirect clinical practice, education, and consultation within the area of adult and geriatric psychiatry to ensure highest quality of care is provided to patients and their families.
Actively participates as part of the program and professional leadership team in promoting quality care by implementing evidence based practice, evaluating patient outcomes, and development and evaluation of policies, clinical program designs and services.
CNS/Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Psychiatry
North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario 2006-2011
As a member of Consultation Liaison team working within the Internal Consult Team which includes Geriatric Medicine,
providesconsultation, medication management and follow-up of geriatric clients with mental health and substance abuse problems in multiple clinical areas including Alternative Level of Care (ALC), palliative care, geriatrics, and surgery which
reduces length of stay and promotes efficient care.
Provide teaching and support services for inter-professional staff regarding the identification and meeting of patient medical& psychosocial needs.
Led committee of inter-professional members in development and implementation
of capacity policy series.
Advanced Practice Leader- Complex Emotional Care/Mental Health
Toronto Rehab, Toronto, Ontario 2005 - 2006
Provided consultation and follow-up of clients with mental health and substance abuse problems at various sites throughout the organization.
Implemented Best Practice Guidelines.
Developed and implemented education in-services for inter-professional staff and participated in a 2-day workshop in palliative care.
Advanced Practice Nurse
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario 2003 – 2005
Developed and implemented education in-services for inter-professional staff.
Provided consultation and follow-up of geriatric clients with mental health, neuropsychiatric and substance
abuse problems within the main site.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Geriatric Health Systems Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 2000 - 2002
In collaboration with Geriatric Psychiatrists, provided consultation, medication management and follow-up of geriatric clients with mental health, neuropsychiatric and substance abuse problems within a Shared Care model, health care delivery system. Both within in-patient and out-patient settings, including Retirement Homes, Assisted Living facilities and Long-Term Care facilities.
Instructorfor Health Care Aids and Personal Support Workers, Contract Work
Health Care Vocational Centers, Toronto, Ontario 1999 – 2000
Provided clinical instruction through developed curriculum to students
preparing for PSW certification.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Geriatric Health Systems Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1998 – 1999
In collaboration with a Geriatric Psychiatrist, provided consultation, medication management and follow-up of geriatric clients with mental health, neuropsychiatric and substance abuse problems within in-patient and out-patient settings, including Retirement Homes, Assisted Living facilities and Long-Term Care facilities.
Coordinator
Home Care Program for Metropolitan Toronto, Willowdale, Ontario 1996 – 1998
Case management of individuals/families eligible for home care services.
Working in partnership with clients/families/caregivers and other members of
health care team to deliver high quality and cost-effective care.
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Clinical Nurse
Markham Stouffville Hospital, Markham, Ontario 1994 – 1995
• Provided outpatient assessment, treatment (e.g. depot injections) and follow-up of adult clients with mental health problems.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Department of Psychiatry, Cleveland Clinic Florida,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1990 – 1994
In collaboration with Psychiatrists/Geriatric Psychiatrists, provided consultation, medication management and follow-up of adult/geriatric clients with mental health, neuropsychiatric and substance abuse problems within a Shared Care model, health care delivery system. Included in-patient and out-patient settings.
Performing individual supportive and cognitive behaviour therapy to adult/geriatric
clients for depression, anxiety, Lifestyle adjustment, grieving, and other physical and psychosocial needs.
Health Services Supervisor
BARC Housing, Davie, Florida 1990 – 1990
Performed management duties including scheduling/hiring staff to ensure quality nursing care to patients with developmental delay and psychiatric needs.
Assistant Head Nurse
Broward General Medical Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1989 – 1989
• Managed a 28-bed inpatient adult psychiatric unit. Scheduled nursing staff for 3 shifts using appropriate skill mix.
Public Health Educator, Contract Work
Mount Sinai Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario 1988 – 1989
Provided education and follow-up for clients in the community enrolled in a public prevention program, “Take control: Lower your blood pressure”, which emphasized principles of health promotionsuch as exercise and diet.
Public Health Nurse
City of North York Public Health Department, North York, Ontario 1987 – 1988
Staff Nurse
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario 1985 – 1989
Staff Nurse, Psychosomatic Medicine Unit
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario 1984 - 1985
Research Assistant, Contract Work
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Summer 1983
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Clinical Cross Appointment at the University of Toronto, 2003-2007, 2007-2010
Faculty of Nursing
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification as CPMHN Present
(Certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing)
RNAO Present
Registered Nurse License, Ontario, Canada Present
Registered Nurse License, New York, U.S.A. Present
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, State of Florida, U.S.A. Present
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board Certified Present
Clinical Nurse Specialist-Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Present
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Present
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International Psychogeriatric Association 2006-2010
CPI, Non-violent Crisis Intervention Certification 2011
St. John’s Ambulance, CPR Certificate 2011
Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario 2007
Collaborative Research Program 2005
Ontario Gerontology Association 2003 Florida Nurses Association 1994
Steinberg Scholarship Plan 1980
French Academic Award 1980
Ontario Scholar Award 1980
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Nursing (Clinical Study included)
McGill University, School of Nursing, Montreal, Quebec 1987
Thesis Title: “Comparison of Structured versus Non-Structured Stress Management Program”
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Toronto, Faculty of Nursing, Toronto, Ontario 1984
COMPUTER SKILLS
Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and
internet access
PARTNERSHIPS
University of Toronto, Faculty of Nursing Guest Lecturer for undergraduate course, “Complexity and Persistent Illness: Nursing Care Issues in
Rehabilitation Care”, Toronto, ON 2007
University of Toronto, Faculty of Nursing Guest Lecturer for NUR 350 Communication:
Nurse-Patient Relationships, Toronto, Ontario Fall 2004
University of Ottawa, School of Nursing, Continuing Education Course Module Development:
Care of The Older Adult in Primary Health Care, Toronto, Ontario Fall 2004
Proposal for MOHLTC Pilot Project (Initiative #7) Advanced Care Directives in consultation with Alzheimer’s Association of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario Fall 2003
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS
Abstract Submission “Health Promotion: Using Spirituality to Promote Mental Health in the Elderly” for IPA Silver Congress, Osaka, Japan October 2007
Abstract Submission “Early Identification of Depression in Geriatric Rehabilitation by Psychogeriatric Nurse Practitioners” for IPA European
Regional Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal April 2006
Abstract Submission “Why Not Now! Use Psychogeriatric Nurse Practitioners in Long Term Care (LTC) in Ontario” for RNAO Conference Toronto, Ontario 2003
Abstract Submission “Why Not Now! Use Psychogeriatric Nurse Practitioners in Long Term Care (LTC) in Ontario” for 10th Anniversary Nursing Research Day,
Hamilton, Ontario April 2003
Proposal for Use of Psychogeriatric Nurse Practitioners in Ontario in Collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospital- Submitted Demo Pilot Project to MOHLTC
Primary Health Care Transition Fund, Toronto, Ontario October 2003
Development of module for nursing interventions for clients with behavioral problems associated with dementia presented to staff in long term care
Facilities, Florida, USA 1998
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CONFERENCE PRESENTATION
Geriatric Medicine/Geriatric Psychiatry Conference, New Horizons in Geriatric Care, Workshop, “Depression and Suicide: How Common is it in Our Elderly?”
Toronto, Ontario June 2008
International Psychogeriatric Association, Silver Congress - “Health Promotion: Using Spirituality to Promote Mental Health in the Elderly”
Osaka, Japan Oct 2007
Gerontological Nursing Association of Ontario, 31st Annual General Meeting and Annual Conference Poster Presentation
“Why Not Now! Use of Psychogeriatric Nurse Practitioners in Long Term Care in Ontario”
Toronto, Ontario Nov 2005
RNAO 2nd International Conference on Elder Care – “Older People Deserve the Best! Building a Policy Framework and Innovation Services
for Elder Health” Toronto, Ontario Oct 2003
COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS
Nurses’ Week Celebration, “Mental Health Promotion-Discovering A Holistic Approach to Nursing Within CCC”
Toronto, Ontario May 2006
CNA Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Web cast, “Psychosocial Health Patterns”
Toronto, Ontario March 2006
The Aging Process, Long Term Care facilities
Florida USA 1994, 1998, 2000
Depression, Long Term Care facilities
Florida USA 1994, 1998, 2000
Alzheimer’s Disease, Long Term Care facilities
Florida USA 1994, 1998, 2000
INTERESTS
Karate (First Degree Black belt), Travel, Dancing, Drawing, Movies, Avid Reader, Interest
in program development
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