RN-RPN

Job Description

Summary

The New Med / Psych Unit – 7A (MPU-7A) helps to better care for medicine patients with mental health needs, as well as, increase staff safety. The unit will inform the planning of the NSPH Med / Psych Unit.

The MPU-7A will include 5 private rooms in the locked Acute Medicine Unit 7A. The unit requires expertise for behavioral care planning and understanding psychiatric medications.

The MPU-7A Team will care for patients with comorbid medical and psychiatric illness and therapy-interfering behaviours (i.e., the severity of psychiatric diagnosis / behavior interferes with patient ability to receive care).

Reporting to the Patient Care Manager, the Staff Nurse, assesses, identifies, plans, implements and evaluates the nursing care required to assist patients / residents in meeting their physical, social, spiritual and psychological needs using an established framework for nursing practice. Develops, implements, evaluates and revises the plan of care. Incorporates individual and / or group teaching into the care plan and nursing interventions and / or makes referrals to other identified resources. Supports other nurses and health care professionals by collegially sharing information and demonstrating procedures. The Staff Nurse works within an interdisciplinary clinical framework in accordance with the BCCNM Standards of Practice and consistent with the mission, vision and values and established protocols of Providence Health Care.

Qualifications / Skills and Education

Education

Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives or in Residential Care, Mental Health and Medicine-Psychiatric Units, current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Demonstrated knowledge and ability to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures appropriate for the area of service.

Ability to work as a member in an interdisciplinary team.

Ability to apply decision making and analytical skills.

Ability to deal with others effectively.

Ability to role model conflict resolution strategies.

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Ability to prioritize and organize work.

Ability to operate related equipment.

Ability to teach and identify patient / resident learning needs.

Ability to lead patient / family group sessions.

Ability to provide clinical direction.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reviews patient / resident status through methods such as reviewing the patient / resident chart and other written information, patient / resident observation, interviewing patient / resident and family members, completion of questionnaires, collateral information and consultation with peers and other members of the health care team.

Assesses patient / resident problems and needs, plans, implements, evaluates and prioritizes nursing care and nursing interventions and develops the plan of care for patients / residents using clinical judgement and evidence-based practice.

Provides nursing care according to identified policies and procedures, technology and PHC standards.

Monitors patient / resident progress, evaluates outcomes, reassesses if goals are not met, and modifies plan of care based on evaluation.

Records observations and reports problems and / or changes in patient / resident condition to designated staff.

Provides direct nursing interventions for management of crisis and life threatening situations.

Documents information including assessments, plan of care, patient / resident status and progress and discharge plans in a manual and / or computerized environment.

Accompanies patients in medical transport vehicles as required by the employer.

Identifies and responds to patient / resident and family learning needs, provides patient educational and reference materials, incorporates individual and / or group teaching activities into the care plan and nursing interventions, and / or makes referrals to other identified resources. Leads group patient / family sessions as required and coaches patient / resident / family to develop and maintain health promoting behaviours within the context of the care issue.

Provides direction to other staff such as Care Attendants and Licensed Practical Nurses with regard to patient / resident care and facilitates effective team work. Responsibilities include but are not limited to collegial sharing of information, demonstrating and / or providing guidance on related tasks, providing incidental or ad hoc input into staff performance, ensuring staff are aware of assignments and reassigning clinical / health related tasks.

Participates in nursing orientation and shares clinical knowledge with other nursing staff, nursing students and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Participates in and attends in-service presentations and other educational programs as required.

Participates in planning, implementation and evaluation of patient / resident care policies, procedures, education materials, and best practices through methods such as taking part in program and quality improvement activities including nursing practice council, clinical pathway development, research and education and other committees.

Supports nursing research through methods such as identifying areas for possible clinical nursing research projects, adapting research to practice and participating in research activities to enhance nursing practice.

Facilitates discharge plans and liaises with families and community resources agencies.

Advocates for the patients / residents, to protect and promote their rights to dignity, respect, privacy, confidentiality, autonomy and access to information.

Performs other related duties as assigned.