Registered Nurse - Unit General Surgery

Responsibilities

The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive patient and family centered care on an acute surgical unit in accordance with the UAH and AHS policy and procedures. 3E2 is an 18+ bed unit providing care to General Surgery patients received from the operating room, emergency department, intensive care unit and directly from home and/or surgery clinics.

Decisions are made in a collaborative multidisciplinary team environment. The RN will provide a wide variety of nursing services to patients, families, communities and populations, while taking necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being. The RN will utilize nursing processes, through critical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and teach, counsel and advocate on behalf of patients and families.

The RN will play a leadership role in supporting an integrated and holistic approach to patient care, health promotion, and maintenance, and will provide secure, quality patient and family centered care while reflecting the shared vision and values of AHS. The RN is expected to participate in quality improvement initiatives, support and maintain high quality patient care strategies within the surgery program, and take on the responsibility of charge nurse as required.

The RN must be able to demonstrate excellent assessment, documentation, clinical, organizational and patient care skills, and be proficient at medication administration calculations.

Provisional Permit holders will be paid $40.76 to $55.79 per hour. Upon obtaining a full practice permit, the rate of pay will be adjusted to the applicable Registered Nurse rate in accordance with UNA Article 25.02(b)(i) or (ii), as applicable.

• Completion of an accredited nursing education program.
• Active or eligible for registration and practice permit with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA).
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support – Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP) certification.
• Free courses: CRNA Medication Management (Chapters 1‑4) and NextGenU Health Assessment Resources Certification (if not practiced as RN within last 5 years).
• Presentation of documentation to AHS profile in PDF format.
• Successful candidate is expected to pass the medication calculation exam (80% score) within 14 days of orientation; candidates have up to three attempts within the 2‑week orientation period.
• Minimum 2 years current adult surgical nursing experience (within last 3 years) required; preference for General Surgery experience.
• Charge nurse experience required.
• Minimum 2 years recent experience (within last 5 years) with complex pain modalities (epidural, PCA, TAP catheters, lidocaine/ketamine infusions), central lines, complex wound care, parenteral/enteral nutrition, NG/tube feed insertion/management and ostomy support/teaching.
• Ability to lift 25‑50 pounds, with no current activity restrictions such as pulling, pushing, reaching and bending.
• Current competency in IV therapy, pre‑op/post‑op care protocols, central line/PICC care, ostomy care, basic surgical wound/drain care, complex wound care and negative pressure wounds (VAC dressing), NG tube insertion and management, TPN administration, PCA/PCEA/TAP management, insulin infusion protocols and blood product administration.
• Strong patient teaching skills, charge nurse and Connect Care training.