Nurse Practitioner, VCH Epilepsy Program

Come work as a Nurse Practitioner with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!The Vancouver Coastal Health Epilepsy Program (VCHEP) at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) functions within four pillars essential to epilepsy diagnosis and care. The four pillars of epilepsy care are the VCHEP Ambulatory Clinic, EEG and other methods of brain monitoring, Seizure Investigation Unit and Neurosurgical capabilities.

The Nurse Practitioner with the VCHEP will work in partnership with a multidisciplinary team including Epileptologists, Nurses, Pharmacists, Neuropsychologists, Technologists, and other to support the complex care needs in a patient-centered model. The NP will work closely with the Epileptologist to support the day-to-day care needs for those admitted the 4 bed seizure investigation special care unit and see patients within the epilepsy clinic.

This along with rich opportunities to support advance practice nursing program development, training and research within the neurology specialty of Epilepsy make this an exciting job opportunity.

VCH is pleased to announce we will now reimburse Nurse Practitioners (NPs) for the cost of the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), upon successful completion, for NP candidates who have not yet completed the exam, and who are hired into a regular or temporary position with VCH.The OSCE reimbursement is in the form of a forgivable loan, which is forgiven after one (1) year of continuous employment in a regular or temporary position with VCH.

As a Nurse Practitioner with VCH you will:

• Be responsible and accountable for the comprehensive assessment of patients and clients including diagnosing diseases, disorders and conditions.
• Initiate treatment including health care management, therapeutic interventions and prescribes medications in accordance with the statutory and regulatory standards, limits and conditions, and employer policies and procedures.
• Provide professional guidance to other health professionals and participates autonomously as a member of the interdisciplinary health teams.
• Collaborate with clients and other health professionals to identify and assess trends and patterns that have implications for clients, families and communities.
• Develop and implement population and evidence-based strategies to improve health and participate in policy-making and quality improvement activities that influence health services and practices.
• Participate in peer, program and self-review to evaluate the outcome of the services at the client, community and population level.
• Be responsible for own professional development and maintaining competence in the position, and maintaining privileges as active medical staff as required.
• Report to an Operational Director, Professional Practice and has key accountabilities for quality assurance and patient safety within the Regional Department of Nurse Practitioners.

All applicants are encouraged to review the below qualifications prior to applying for this job posting.

Education & Experience

• Current registration as a Nurse Practitioner with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Prior experience as a Nurse Practitioner in the field an asset, but open to all motivated applicants.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to perform the full scope of NP duties and responsibilities.
• Applies for and maintains core and non-core privileges, as required by the program, as active medical staff within the VCH Regional Department of Nurse Practitioners and cross-appointments as described in the VCH Medical Staff Rules and Medical Bylaws.
• Ability to apply knowledge of developmental stages, behavioral sciences, pathophysiology, psychopathology, epidemiology, and evidence-based practice to clinical diagnosis and patient management.
• Ability to apply knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to prescribing and evaluating treatment responses.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with patients and families about health findings, diagnosis, treatment, self care and prognosis.
• Ability to collaborate, consult with and formally refer clients and patients to physicians and other health professionals when appropriate.
• Ability to critically assess and evaluate health research literature to determine best practices; ability to introduce education and evidence-based research.
• Ability to assess and recognize population health trends; ability to plan and implement strategies for population based prevention and health promotion.
• Ability to implement and evaluate planned change.
• Ability to define the specific areas of practice and client population for whom the position is competent to provide health care services.
• Ability to apply lead leadership skills within a program and team setting.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care…