Geriatric Emergency Nurse

Job Description

Summary

Reporting to the Operations Leader, Emergency Department (ED), demonstrates expertise and role models best practice direct care skills in the assessment and medical management of acutely ill seniors with complex care needs who present to the ED. Teaches patients and families self care, promoting their own abilities to develop and maintain healthy behaviours within the context of an illness or disease. Develops, implements and evaluates approved patient education programs. Consults with members of the Geriatric Care Team and ED interdisciplinary health care teams to provide education and direction in the management and interventions required in caring for an acutely ill senior. Provides visible and accessible clinical support to the staff by acting as an education resource and role model. Develops, implements and evaluates education programs and patient education materials.

Qualifications / Skills and Education

Education

Registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN registrant, plus three years’ recent related clinical experience in emergency or gerontological nursing, including recent acute care experience and one year’s leadership experience, familiarity with relevant Home Health programs, completion of post graduate specialty program(s) and or Canadian Certificate in Gerontology, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to teach, provide clinical support and lead group sessions.

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

Ability to coach and counsel patients, families and staff.

Comprehensive knowledge of evidenced-based nursing practice relating to gerontological patients.

Demonstrated skill assessing gerontological patients, identifying foci of care and initiating appropriate care plan in consultation with the patient / family and team members.

Ability to identify learning needs and develop educational programs.

Demonstrated ability to role model evidence based gerontological practice.

Ability to provide and / or develop resource materials, including educational materials.

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of adult education principles.

Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Ability to apply decision making and analytical skills.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to role model conflict resolution strategies.

Ability to prioritize and organize work independently.

Knowledge of research processes and methodology.

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Ability to operate related equipment, including computers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Demonstrates expertise and role models the specialized geriatric care skills required to provide optimal medical management for the acutely ill senior with complex care needs. Assesses patients / families physical, emotional, and mental readiness and ability to learn, through methods such as physical assessments, discussions, completion of questionnaires, chart review, and through collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team. Organizes resources, supplies and equipment for patient / family home as required. Develops educational materials for patient / family, such as pamphlets, brochures, instruction sheets, and manuals. Teaches patient and or significant others(s) to administer treatments and operate equipment safely, both at home and in the hospital. Provides direct nursing care, including physical assessments and administering medications and treatments. Consults with members of the Geriatric Care Team and ED interdisciplinary health care teams to provide education and direction in the management and interventions required in caring for an acutely ill senior. Acts as an education resource for staff. Teaches / educates members of the interdisciplinary team as required in area of expertise. Coaches staff in clinical nursing skills and behaviours by role modelling and through individual and group teaching. Completes a geriatric nursing assessment of seniors with complex care needs in the ED. Uses validated testing and performance scales, prioritizes care requirements, ensures diagnostic testing is complete, assesses and interprets results and monitors patient’s progress according to expected outcomes. Observes and detects significant life threatening changes to patient’s condition, develops individualized care plans and intervenes to manage change. Evaluates outcomes to these interventions. Provides rapid geriatric assessments in collaboration with ED staff to facilitate appropriate transfer / treatment and discharge of seniors with complex needs from the ED. Collaborates with the ED staff to identify and address the care needs of acutely ill seniors. Facilitates early involvement of the geriatric care team for patient and families in the ED. Re-organizes priorities in response to constantly fluctuating workload volumes and patient treatment requirements in consultation with interdisciplinary team members. Works collaboratively with the ED staff to identify appropriate patients for admission, and facilitates the transfer to the in-patient units. Provides written assessment and care plan recommendations for the care team in receiving unit and anticipates discharge requirement for patients who have complex medical conditions at time of admission. Makes recommendations for discharge plans and follow-up services in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Follows-up as necessary to ensure continuity of care. Works collaboratively with the ED staff to identify patients who are appropriate for discharge. Liaises with designated staff for referrals to community partners, recommends and / or makes referrals to other health care professionals and / or arranges for access to other resources such as respite beds, additional home support services and home care for patient if patient is discharged to the community. Collaborates with Physicians on patient discharges, using pre-established criteria. Follows-up on discharge care plan and ensures continuity of care by liaising with outside agencies and by contacting patient / family at home as necessary. Maintains and updates patient treatment records and statistics. Coaches patient / family to develop and maintain health promoting behaviours within the context of the illness or disease. Advocates for patient when they are unable to do so for themselves. Supports nursing practice by identifying trends in patient outcomes, making recommendations to the Operations Leader and / or Chief of Professional Practice and Nursing on program modifications. Provides clinical specialty input related to program development, practice standards and policies and procedures to internal and external health care professionals. Takes part in nursing, hospital / organization wide and community committees as requested. Develops, implements and evaluates educational programs and liaises with external agencies. Participates in staff development by preparing and presenting educational materials, and in-service sessions related to program / service, or area of expertise. Participates in research and development activities and in the development of quality improvement initiatives. Acts on recommendations from interdisciplinary team regarding changes / modifications to educational materials, handouts, and in-service sessions. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Vaccination Flag

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care / Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.