Geriatric Nurse Clinician - Peace Arch Hospital; PAH

Position: Geriatric Nurse Clinician - Peace Arch Hospital (PAH)

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, the Geriatric Nurse Clinician utilizes evidence-informed practice to provide consultation and clinical expertise related to acutely ill older adults who present to Emergency, who are admitted to medical/surgical areas, or who are referred to specialized clinics. Role models direct care skills to staff and students, performs gerontological nursing assessments and ongoing evaluation of older adults with complex care needs, and provides information and education to staff and/or patients/families.

Participates in research, policy, quality improvement, and risk management activities. The Nurse Clinician performs their duties with a unit, hospital, program and/or regional focus and may be required to work at multiple sites across Fraser Health. Responsibilities Demonstrates expertise and provides clinical leadership in evidence-informed practice related to acutely ill older adults; reviews literature, consults with experts, collaborates with members of the interprofessional team, evaluates clinical practice, recommends changes to existing standards to the Manager, and participates on regional and provincial committees related to care for older adults.

Role models direct patient care skills to staff and students related to older adults and provides just in time education at the point of care required to ensure optimal care to acutely ill older adults. Coaches, mentors and provides information utilizing clinical evidence, policy (e.g. clinical decision support tools), literature and resources, and education theory. Performs comprehensive gerontological nursing assessment to older adults who present or who are admitted with complex care needs;

recognizes the altered presentation of acute conditions in older adults, intervenes as needed, and evaluates outcomes of these interventions. Collaborates with the interprofessional team to develop/support development of individualized care plans, ongoing evaluation of the care plan, the appropriate and timely discharge and/or transfer of patients home or to alternate care settings, rapid referral to Geriatricians, and the coordination of referrals and linkages to appropriate community resources including Older Adult programs such as the Specialized Seniors Clinics.

Determines education requirements that meet clinical and learner needs, in collaboration with the Manager/Director/Clinical Nurse Educator/Clinical Nurse Specialist; completes learning needs assessments of individuals or groups to assist in the determination of the learning requirements and their objectives. Arranges and/or provides preceptorships and mentorships for staff and students regarding older adult health care, as appropriate. Develops and revises education tools/plans on the basis of identified learner needs, chart audits, patient outcomes, and introduction of new/revised clinical decision support tools or scope(s) of practice/roles/functions.

Plans and schedules education activities and maintains a system for tracking attendance; maintains related statistics. Delivers learner-centered education to individuals or groups of staff and patient/families through methods such as coaching, conducting presentations, facilitating groups, and providing lectures. Evaluates effectiveness of education programs and consultations to ensure older adult care/learning needs are met and to determine opportunities for improvement; maintains related reports.

Collaborates with other practice leaders to provide leadership, consultation and performance support to clinical staff, employed student nurses and students to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care. Supports staff to plan and carry out patient/family education about discharge planning, illness prevention and health promotion. Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities by methods such as evaluating effect of changes in practice, making recommendations to improve current practices, and conducting quality and safety audits.

Participates in research and special…