Clinical Resource Nurse, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Programs

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. The Clinical Resource Nurse provides leadership in the delivery of care activities in defined areas of clinical expertise. Supervises and provides work direction to staff. Provides input to Clinical Nurse Coordinator regarding staffing coverage and provides clinical leadership, guidance and support to team members. Acts as a clinical resource for nurses, nursing students, Youth and Family Counsellors and students, and the interdisciplinary team. Assists staff in providing quality care and related quality assurance requirements for an identified patient population by providing information based on theory/practice, assessing clinical/technical skills and participating in the direct patient care as appropriate, in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Provides leadership to the interdisciplinary team by coordinating patient care and quality assurance activities, providing information and consultation to nurses, youth and family counsellors, and other health care providers and students through methods such as reviewing workload.
2. Provides work direction to staff by methods such as scheduling, coordinating and adjusting work activities in accordance with the needs of the Program and establishing priorities. Helps manage the operation of the Unit/Program and supports the delivery of direct/indirect patient care within budgeted resources.
3. Identifies individual nurse’s and youth and family counsellors’ learning needs and helps to implement appropriate plan to allow nurse to achieve desired level of competency related to knowledge, skills, attitudes, and clinical judgments in collaboration with the Clinical Instructor or designate. Participates in competency based education/preceptorship pathways. Strategies used to mentor will include role modeling, coaching, teaching and acting as a clinical resource for nursing staff by sharing clinical expertise and providing clinical guidance. Coaches nursing staff regarding nursing practice skills by demonstration and explanation and by encouraging novices to take advantage of learning opportunities.
4. Participates in the performance appraisal process for nursing staff by providing input to Clinical Nurse Coordinator and/or Clinical Instructor on individual nurse’s performance.
5. Provides clinical leadership and consultation to clinical staff and students to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care through methods such as ensuring compliance with standards of practice and promoting staff collaboration with health care professionals.
6. Assists the Clinical Nurse Coordinator or designate with planning, developing and evaluating patient care by providing input regarding clinical practice and the provision of new and/or revised policies, procedures, standards and criteria for the unit, in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team. Ensures necessary equipment and supplies are available and informs Clinical Nurse Coordinator when problems arise.
7. Collaborates with the Clinical Nurse Coordinator and Clinical Instructor to coordinate the introduction of new skills/procedures, and arrangement of in-service sessions/orientations as required. Collaborates with the Instructor or designate to produce other educational materials as required.
8. Coordinates and participates in quality improvement and risk management activities for the Program through methods such as evaluating changes in nursing practice, procedures and protocols.
9. Promotes research based practice through methods such as collaborating with interdisciplinary team and promoting staff awareness and involvement in research activities, identifying practice issues that require research, and facilitating the development of ongoing research.
10. Participates on committees as assigned and reports information back to the unit/program staff.
11. 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 or RPN with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
• Three (3) year’s recent tertiary experience in the child and adolescent mental health, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Current CPR certification.
Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision, leadership and work direction.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor and coach staff.
• Demonstrated expertise in the provision of clinical care to defined population of children and families.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with others.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events and deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Effective team building skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize work in collaboration with others.
• Knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment.