General Duty Nurse – Women’s Substance Use 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. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
Working collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team and within an evidence based Trauma-Informed, recovery oriented and culturally safe model of care, the nurse provides and coordinates nursing care services to women with concurrent psychiatric and/or substance use/misuse disorders and physical health needs. Performs patient assessment, administers prescribed treatments and medications, provides patient and family education and support using a, a health promotion approach, consistent with established policies, standards of practice, protocols, and philosophy of BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Maintains accurate computerized and paper client records in accordance with established procedures and policies by performing activities such as collecting and documenting information including health care information regarding clients and their families, nursing observations, telephone communications, interventions, teaching and care evaluations to ensure that client records are current and complete.
2. Plans direct care for the female clients by performing activities such as reviewing client/family history, developing a care plan specific for the client, and meeting with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team to discuss and review the care plan. Works in collaboration with interdisciplinary health care team health care team to assist the client with her program requirements by methods such as monitoring program requirements and motivational interviewing.
3. Works collaboratively with the Patient Care Coordinator to plan, coordinate, and provide direct patient care services to women presenting with a wide variety and complexity of illnesses/diseases including communicable diseases, addictions, mental health and general health issues. Collaborates with other members of the interdisciplinary health care team to evaluate patient care in the residential treatment setting by methods such as assessing client health status, observing, monitoring, evaluating, and documenting client progress, symptoms and behavioural changes, as well as reorganizing priorities, and managing clients medication as required. Delegates patient care assignments to Licensed Practical Nursing (LPNs) staff as required. Performs CPR as required.
4. Provides education and support to clients and their family using a health promotion approach for a variety of health related issues by providing and explaining information, demonstrating procedures and use of equipment, checking the learner’s use of procedures, techniques and equipment and evaluating the effectiveness of the selected teaching methods.
5. Identifies own learning needs, reviews these with the Patient Care Coordinator, or delegate, and engages in a variety of activities to meet these needs.
6. Participates in the orientation and continuing education of staff and students by preceptoring and role-modeling.
7. Acts as a clinical resource/support person to clients and families and nursing and health care professionals by explaining the theoretical rationale for nursing decisions.
8. Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationship and milieu with clients and families, assesses and identifies women’s actual and potential strengths and limitations including physiological, psychological, social-cultural and spiritual needs, and uses engagement interventions such as collaborative problem solving and trauma informed strategies.
9. Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team through contributing information in rounds, committees, and staff meetings to promote optimal support for clients, to facilitate the resolution of issues, and to advocate for the goals and objectives of the unit/team/program.
10. Provides input to the Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) and Clinical Services Manager (CSM), or delegate, regarding policies, procedures and operational requirements by observing service needs and providing spoken or written suggestions which address client and family needs and promote effective use of resources.
11. Maintains a safe environment for clients, families and staff by following established emergency procedures and safety practices/standard/protocols and procedures, including the handling, storing and disposing of hazardous material. Ensures infection control protocols are followed by clients and personnel.
12. Promotes the implementation and evaluation of nursing research and quality monitoring activities as directed by participating in nursing committees. Maintains standards of nursing practice and develops professional competence through in-service, interdisciplinary course conferences, team meetings, and other educational means, as required by the employer.
13. Performs other professionally 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).
• One (1) year of recent, related nursing experience in substance use and mental health care setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. This job requires that the incumbent be female.
• CPR Training – Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) – Level 1.
Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of substance dependence, behavioural, social emotional and mental health/psychiatric problems in women.
• Knowledge of developmental theory.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to women with substance dependence and their families.
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of an interdisciplinary care team, work independently, and function as a nursing resource.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to unexpected events, problem-solve, and deal with conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and provide effective consultation.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment.