Reporting to the Executive Director, the Primary Care Nurse provides comprehensive nursing services to the patient population of a family practice clinic within the Big Country Primary Care Network (BC PCN). The Nurse assesses, manages and supports patients, providing appropriate documentation, and works collaboratively with the physician to develop and implement care plans, evaluate outcomes and provide follow-up with the patient. The Nurse works to full scope of practice with an emphasis on providing comprehensive care, low-risk prenatal care, education and guidance to the elderly and/or patients with chronic disease. Duties will vary depending on the clinic and patient population.
The Primary Care Nurse works with Family Physicians in the community, other health professionals and local and regional programming in a multi-disciplinary environment to ensure a high quality of evidence-based health care to the practice population.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Based on the Alberta Health Services definition of Professional Practice and the Chronic Disease Management program the Primary Care Nurse will use critical thinking and clinical judgment to coordinate and facilitate the management of patients within the PCN. Specifically the nurse will use a case management approach when assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care needs. The nurse will utilize the Physician office EMR or paper chart in maintaining accurate and timely records, documenting all phases of client care.
Works collaboratively within the family practice environment to enhance the delivery of primary care services.
Receives patients and provides health services based on highly developed nursing knowledge and skills.
According to practice protocols, conducts assessments, initiates and implements management strategies and provides appropriate evaluation, follow-up and modifications to care plans.
Makes professionally autonomous decisions in managing patients and offering a complementary source of care to that offered by medical practitioners.
Assists in the implementation of strategies for improving the quality and provision of care for the practice population.
Works in conjunction with the physicians or independently as appropriate to assess the needs of patients.
Assists in the delivery of disease management and health promotion programs and provides appropriate care and treatment, according to practice policy and protocols, and Big Country PCN approved clinic medical directives.
Provides chronic disease management, geriatric care, mental health services, incorporating monitoring progress, response to treatment, and promoting the preventive aspects of patient care.
Initiates appropriate investigations.
Integrates multidisciplinary team and community resources into the care plan.
Provides/coordinates care/services with other team members and community resources, appropriate to the situation, and in accordance with BC PCN policies, procedures and established standards.
Primary Care Nursing Program Delivery
Works with the Executive Director to implement the BC PCN primary care nursing program vision, outcomes, operational plans, systems, policies, protocols and metrics.
Assists in setting up health promotion programs and patient self-management programs relevant to the needs of the BC PCN population.
Supports the Executive Director by keeping abreast of current trends in primary care nursing and keeping the Executive Director abreast of all emerging trends.
Participates in the identification of new service requirements and addressing deficiencies in current services.
Assists the Executive Director to modify programs and initiatives to take advantage of opportunities and protect them against external changes, and supports the consistent implementation of Primary Care Nursing Program operational plans to address requirements.
Meets regularly with other AHS and BC PCN Primary Care Nurses and Supervisors to address issues of management, supervision, planning and administration.
Offers training and support for other team members and assists in their professional development.
Provides timely and accurate information for Primary Care Nursing program meetings, and prepares periodic reports on program goal accomplishment.
Participates in program evaluation initiatives. Ensures the maintenance of accurate records in line with practice policy.
Offers the nursing perspective and participates in the development and implementation of Clinical Governance, which includes risk management and complaints handling.
The ideal candidate is a Registered Nurse with a proven track record in working with a primary care team to treat and manage patients with health problems efficiently and effectively.
Education: A Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from an approved healthcare program. Current CARNA Registration is required, together with current CPR and BCLS. Must have own vehicle and a valid drivers’ license
Functional Knowledge: Demonstrate clinical skills in Primary Care nursing, with evidence of own continued professional development. Proven ability to build a good working relationship with healthcare professionals, clients and other members of the community. Knowledge of and ability to use electronic medical records. Demonstrate ability to use equipment and supplies according to established standards and procedures
Experience: At least 5 years nursing experience, ideally in a Primary Care nursing environment. Experience in Primary Care/Community Nursing, Gerontology, Chronic Disease is desirable.
Safety Conscious: Promotes a healthy/safe practice environment, recognizes safety issues and reports appropriately, participates in correction and prevention action plans.
Strategic Thinking: Must make critical medical decisions and must act independently, in conjunction with the family physician, in the ongoing care and treatment of clients. Strong interest in advancing patient oriented health services via new service delivery models. Willing to play a leadership role in helping to define these new models. Professional, mature manner. Shows initiative. Ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment. Demonstrates teaching abilities, strong decision-making, and assessment skills.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Sound judgment and strong interpersonal skills; able to develop collaborative working relationships with primary care professionals. Good manual dexterity. Ability to independently produce professional and accurate written work (assessments, treatment plans, documentation, discharge summary reports) with minimal supervisory correction or editing. Strong communication skills and ability to present Clinical presentations at clinical review meetings. Ability and comfort to precept and instruct health care providers at various levels.
Self-Management and Organization Skills: Self-directed, flexible, and displays initiative in a new and evolving role. Strong time management and organizational skills, responsive to primary care settings needs. Program and service development skills.
Self-Starter: Demonstrates expanding capability to be self-directed in the management of responsibilities.
If you feel you are qualified for this role, please submit your resume to admin@bigcountrypcn.com.
Only candidates who are most qualified for the position will be contacted.
