Nurse Practitioner (NP), Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care - BC Cancer - Abbotsford

Nurse Practitioner (NP), Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care 

BC Cancer

Abbotsford, BC

In this position, you will be the NP with the Pain and Symptom Management/Palliative Care (PSMPC) Team in Abbotsford. The PSMPC interprofessional team consists of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. This engaging role involves addressing the palliative care needs of ambulant cancer patients, integrated with oncological management, including those in the survivorship context. You will be accountable for facilitating a coordinated approach and ensuring continuity of palliative care support through effective communication and transfers back to community-level physicians, home care/palliative care services. You will provide consultation and education to other BC Cancer care teams and community-based care providers as required, and support and engage in research and education interests in the area of palliative and supportive care. Enhancing awareness and providing public and provider education on palliative care and symptom management for oncology patients rounds out your mandate.   

You’re on a professional mission to reduce the burden of cancer in your community, and with great hope, across the globe. A person-centred nursing professional, you remain steadfast in your efforts to support all individuals who are undergoing cancer care, along with their families and friends. Working with a team of health care colleagues who share your values of compassionate care and excellence through innovation makes all the difference in your work days, as you share the highs and lows with support, kindness, and excellence in care. 

At BC Cancer, we have a number of Nurse Practitioners working in various settings with diverse populations. NPs play a role in managing care during active treatment, palliative care, and after-cancer care. They provide mentorship to medical and NP trainees, and to nursing and allied health staff. They also take part in research clinical trials and drive patient-focused research. They are part of the leadership team and are key players in NP role development and evaluation.

Most of the NPs at BC Cancer work with a variety of cancer patient populations, including patients diagnosed with hematological, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, breast, brain, and head and neck cancers. Some NPs at BC Cancer have a more generalist focus, providing primary care and surveillance for those who are undergoing treatment or have experienced cancer at some point in their life as well as provide end of life care. In total, we currently have 22 NPs working at BC cancer in full and part time positions around the province.

Nurse Practitioners collaborate with clients and other health professionals to identify and assess trends and patterns that have implications for clients, families and communities; develop and implement population and evidence based strategies to improve health and participate in policy-making activities that influence health services and practices.  As professionals, they participate in peer review and self review to evaluate the outcome of their services at the client, community and population level.  They are responsible for their professional development and maintaining competence and registration as a nurse practitioner.

What you’ll do

• Diagnose and treat previously undiagnosed clients for undifferentiated diseases, illnesses and conditions within the Nurse Practitioner’s scope of practice; orders appropriate screening diagnostic investigations; interpret reports of investigations and analyzes information to monitor progress and plan treatment. As part of the multidisciplinary team, develop and implement treatment plans. Write orders for treatment and medications; make patient rounds as appropriate and monitors ongoing care; provide first line care in emergencies.
• Establish priorities for management of health conditions; provides follow-up treatment; communicate with clients and families about health findings, diagnoses and prognoses; support and counsel clients in their personal responses to diseases, disorders and conditions.
• Collaborate and/or consult with physicians or other health care and social service providers as appropriate to assess and diagnose client status. Accept referrals from, or make referrals to, physicians and other health professionals.
• Prescribe drugs within the statutory and regulatory standards, limits and conditions for Nurse Practitioners and within applicable employer policies and procedures. Apply knowledge of pharmacology and evidence based practice in selecting, prescribing, administering and monitoring the effects of drugs to treat diseases disorders, conditions or injuries.
• Participate in research contributing to improved patient care and advances in nursing, health policy development and population health. Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources about determinants of health; maintain population health focus by participating in and implementing evidence based screening and health promotion for populations at risk and implement population based harm reduction strategies.

What you bring

• Current registration as a Nurse Practitioner with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Must be eligible to complete the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) through the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Minimum of four (4) years of recent, relevant clinical nursing experience.

You are able to:

• Perform the full scope of Nurse Practitioner duties and responsibilities. 
• Define and articulate the specific areas of practice and client population for whom the NP is competent to provide health care services.
• Self-direct, interact, and adapt effectively with other professionals in complex, dynamic situations.
• Communicate and collaborate with patients and families about health findings, diagnosis, treatment, self care and prognosis..

You have:

• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• A commitment to your ongoing growth and professional development with eligibility for yearly professional development allowance.
• Nurse Practitioner Mentorship Program for experienced and new graduate NPs with onboarding training needs assessment in a specialty setting.
• Reimbursement for the cost of the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE). Reimbursement for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who complete the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) is available. Upon successful completion, for NP candidates who have not yet completed the exam; and who are hired into a regular or temporary position with PHSA, OSCE reimbursement will be distributed in the form of a forgivable loan. The loan will be forgiven after one (1) year of continuous employment in a regular or temporary position with PHSA.
• Help us maintain the highest patient survival rate in Canada.
• Use state-of-the-art technology and the latest, evidence-based treatments.
• Be a respected member of Canada's collaborative leading oncology clinical teams.
• Grow your career through continuing education, ongoing professional development, and certification programs.
• Access to more than 2,000 in-house training programs.
• Perks include onsite fitness classes and discounts to 350 BC-wide recreational programs, travel, technology, car and bike sharing, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Salary Range: $145,739 - $160,313/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 32900 Marshall Road, Abbotsford BC V2S 0C2  

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday; 830-1230 / 1300-1630

Requisition Number: 175672E

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

(PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of November 22, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.