Registered Nurse, Medicine - PICC Memorial Hospital; SMH

Position: Registered Nurse, Medicine - PICC Memorial Hospital (SMH)

Detailed Overview

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice and the Mission and Values of Fraser Health, and working collaboratively and in partnership with the interprofessional care team in the provision of person-centered care, the Registered Nurse provides direct patient care by assessing, planning, providing and evaluating nursing care to patients in an acute medical unit or within an outpatient intravenous (IV) setting and/or in a residential setting or home environment;

provides IV therapy care and performs peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertions. Responsibilities Performs peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertions in order to establish and/or maintain intravenous therapy. Performs venipuncture and initiates IV infusion devices as required. Provides PICC maintenance and cares for PIC lines; monitors line status and troubleshoots line issues. Performs thrombolysis to clear clogged lines. Shares information and knowledge with members of health care teams with respect to difficult IV starts.

Assesses patients receiving IV therapy and collects information from a variety of sources using skills of observation, communication, data review and physical assessment. Makes a nursing diagnosis of the patient's condition and determines whether the condition can be improved or resolved by an appropriate nursing intervention. Plans, performs and evaluates nursing interventions and care. Performs IV therapy care and related duties such as inserting and maintaining IV lines, initiating IV infusion devices, administering antibiotics/medications ordered by the physician, caring for and monitoring line status, dealing with clotting issues, performing blood draws through already peripherally inserted central catheters, coordinating intake of patients into the relevant IV program, identifying patient's suitability for referral to a community-based IV program, and teaching patients about IV care and self-management.

Collaborates with patients and their families/care givers in developing the care plan and encourages family participation in the development, implementation and ongoing modification of the care plan. Establishes a therapeutic relationship by demonstrating empathy, trust and respect, advocating for the patient's rights to privacy, dignity and access to information, and by ensuring the patient's choice and autonomy in decision making and care planning.

Participates in the care and discharge planning process for patients by ensuring the care plan is established and implemented effectively, updating care plan and intervening as appropriate, collaborating with the interprofessional care team to ensure comprehensive care planning and delivery, and collaborating and communicating with the Patient Care Coordinator, Manager or health care team on issues that will affect the care/discharge plan.

Coordinates nursing care for the patient; sets priorities, assigns and delegates tasks to support staff, and makes referrals to the interprofessional care team according to established protocols and practice standards. Collaborates with members of the interprofessional care team including Physicians, Licensed Practical Nurses, Patient Care Coordinator, Clinical Nurse Educators, and other health care professionals/providers in the identification and resolution of issues, adjustments to care plans as required, and in regard to changes in patient condition.

Teaches patients and families/care givers about illness prevention, health restoration and health maintenance to help patients accomplish their health care goals. Assesses learning needs of the patient and family/care giver; provides information and demonstration of care activites to support self-care and the discharge plan. Plans and discusses referral information with patient and their families/care givers and, in collaboration with members of the interprofessional care team, initiates referrals to appropriate health care/community agencies.

Documents assessments, nursing diagnosis, observations, interventions, patient/family responses, outcomes/evaluations, and referrals according to practice standards and Fraser Health procedures. Participates on nursing committees, care conferences and councils as assigned or as agreed to with the Manager. Participates in research and quality improvement activities by identifying patient care issues, collecting data, and identifying needs and recommendations for corrective action and changes to practices, procedures or protocols.

Participates in and attends in-services and other educational programs. Identifies own learning goals and maintains and updates current clinical competence and knowledge within area of practice. Acts as a preceptor or mentor to assigned new nursing staff and students; shares information, demonstrates care activities, participates in orientation. Provides feedback to the Manager/delegate regarding the effectiveness of patient…