Clinical Systems Analyst, Registered Nurse, IMITS

Job Summary:

This is a cross-site position supporting designated clinical application(s) throughout the health service delivery area, requiring regular travel between sites. The home base for the position is Vancouver General Hospital/Lions Gate Hospital. Within the context of a client and family centred care model, and in accordance with Registered Nurses’ Association of British Columbia (RNABC) standards of professional practice, Code of Ethics, and the established vision and values of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), performs as a key member of the Clinical Solutions team within Information Management/Information Systems (IMIS). Utilizes both nursing knowledge and expertise, and strong technical computer skills to support the development, successful implementation, ongoing support and maintenance of the designated clinical application(s). Working collaboratively with a variety of internal and external users of the clinical system, develops detailed clinical specifications to determine system requirements and user readiness initiatives; participates in software analysis, tailoring and testing; develops and validates the specification documentation; acts as a liaison between IMIS and caregivers; and actively participates as a resource in committees and corporate communications related activities. Works collaboratively with IMIS team members, clinical area representatives, project teams and vendors in the development and ongoing review and revision of training materials and programs.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Develops, reviews and revises specification documents used to confirm current workflow against system workflow by collaborating with clinicians, user readiness staff and interface analysts, utilizing appropriate software and formats, and providing completed documentation for final consent.
2. Creates, tailors and tests all pathways of the assigned clinical system components such as software releases, interfaces, dictionary tables, reports, screens, verification tables and labels by collaborating with physicians, nurses, allied health professional and support staff, IMIS team members, and other users as required.
3. Participates in groups and/or teams as a clinical analyst resource person for the designated application(s) by providing input and suggestions to ensure system functionality, effective results retrieval processes, and ensuring both user needs and clinical systems needs are addressed. Provides on-site observations and verbal and written feedback to Managers, team members and working/advisory groups.
4. Facilitates the acceptance and/or user sign-off for tailored screens, dictionary tables or labels by participating in user meetings, demonstrating and validating relevant system functionality, and acting as a resource with regards to the clinical system.
5. Develops expert knowledge and understanding of system components and functionality as well as results reporting and retrieval by working collaboratively with other IMIS team members, consultants, vendor representatives and vendor trainers.
6. Ensures that security commands, authorizations and results retrieval user groups are accurate and current by communicating with the Security Coordinators, coordinating new authorizations and cancellations, and ensuring the integrity of the security is maintained.
7. Participates in and ensures the successful implementation of modules and system functionality by providing input and assisting IMIS trainers and technical support staff to deal with user issues, planning and training activities, reviewing or revising training materials, education strategies and curriculum; provides staff training and user support during peak pre-activation and activation periods.
8. Acts as a champion for the designated clinical application(s) by collaborating with corporate communications department staff in the generation of information bulletins/ newsletters and providing system demonstrations to a variety of user groups and IMIS teams, as needed or requested. Participates as a member of advisory, professional practice, work redesign and user readiness committees as requested; acts as a resource and takes a leadership role as required.
9. Remains current with regards to Clinical and Information Management/Information Systems activities, procedures and policy changes by participating in team meetings, reviewing current departmental policies and procedures, providing feedback and making recommendations for policy and procedure changes.
10. Provides input into disaster preparedness plans by participating in the development and maintenance of downtime procedures and participating in downtime/disaster exercises.
11. Provides hands-on troubleshooting of application problems by utilizing on-site and remote access hardware and software on a scheduled basis.
12. Maintains currency on relevant technological information by utilizing the internet and intranet browsers, reviewing current literature and research, participating in vendor user groups, and attending relevant conferences and workshops.
13. Sets measurable goals and objectives within a team or individual environment, incorporating the health authority and departmental vision and values, goals and corporate plan, through methods such as maintaining and updating own knowledge of clinical and professional development within area of practice.
14. Applies a research approach to problem solving clinical systems issues through methods such as reviewing relevant literature/resources and applying research finding within established procedures and/or in collaboration with the Manager, Professional Practice Director and other health care professionals. Evaluates results.
15. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience
• Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as an RN with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
• Course work in Health Information Sciences or Computer Sciences, plus two (2) years' recent clinical nursing experience in an interdisciplinary acute care hospital environment, including recent experience in the use of microcomputer hardware and software computer based patient care information system and developing and testing component modules, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Knowledge & Abilities
• Broad knowledge of the standards of practice and guidelines for clinical practitioners established by the BCCNP.
• Comprehensive knowledge of clinical utilization of clinical information systems.
• Broad knowledge of clinical policies, procedures and standards of care.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with others in a consultative/collaborative manner.
• Demonstrated ability in the use of related hardware/software systems and communications.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, facilitate and provide leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to teach staff in an informal setting.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a self-directed manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a constantly changing environment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.