General Duty Nurse, Brachytherapy Perioperative, RT Program

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Utilizing theory-based practice, the General Duty Staff Nurse, Radiation Therapy provides nursing care such as patient assessment and patient and family education related to treatment, process and side effects consistent with established policies and standards of care. Provides perioperative nursing care to surgical patients.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Provides direct patient care by performing duties such as patient assessment, reviewing patient and family history and developing a nursing care plan specific to the patient needs. Consults with and/or refers patients to members of other health care disciplines as required.
2. Functions as a scrub nurse and/or circulating nurse for surgical and operative procedures in the Brachytherapy Procedure Area.
3. Admits, transfers, and discharges patients according to Agency policies and Operating Room and Professional Practice Nursing directives.
4. Maintains patient records by collecting and documenting information related to the patient and health care history, nursing observations, telephone communications, symptom and side effect management, patient and family education and care evaluations.
5. Assists the patient in interpretation of the treatment plan and ensures patients and families are aware of services available at the Agency and in the community.
6. Maintains a safe environment for patients, families, and staff by adhering to emergency procedures and safety policies and standards.



7. Maintains and updates own clinical knowledge within area of practice, and develops a plan in collaboration with designated personnel/team for professional development. Reviews progress to ensure goals are achieved within established time frames.
8. Participates in educational activities and programs for patients, staff (e.g. orientation), and nursing students as approved.
9. Provides direction to designated staff such as Nursing Aides and Licensed Practical Nurses with regard to patient care by collegially sharing information, demonstrating and/or providing guidance on related tasks, ensuring staff are aware of assignments and reassigning clinical/health related tasks.
10. Participates and shares in the development of nursing standards, goals and objectives at the process and practice level. Participates in unit/team/program activities required to enhance and optimize the delivery of care and to facilitate evidence-based nursing practice. Promotes quality management principles for unit/team/program operations, identifies processes/procedures that require improvement, and drafts/revises guidelines, policies and procedures for review. Identifies and reports unsafe practice/professional conduct in accordance with professional standards and organizational policies.
11. Supports and participates in nursing and other related research. Applies an evidence-based approach to clinical problem-solving through methods such as reviewing literature/resources and applying approved research findings in clinical practice to support the research culture of the organization. Evaluates results in collaboration with interdisciplinary team.
12. Participates as a member of the health care team by contributing nursing practice and processes at team and centre meetings and committees as required or assigned.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
• Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as an RN with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
• Graduate of an advanced nursing specialty program in operating room or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Current CPR (Level C) certification as well as demonstrated IV skills.
Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated relevant clinical knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to apply clinical knowledge in practice.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with patients, the public and all levels of staff both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to organize patient care and set priorities.