Registered Nurse, Cardiac Waitlist (RCH) Casual

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations.

Our team of 43,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

Effective October 26, 2021 all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines).  Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice and the Mission and Values of Fraser Health, and working collaboratively with the inter-professional care team in the provision of person-centered care, assists the Cardiac Program Coordinator by facilitating the placement of patients who require cardiac procedures/intervention.

Performs pre-admission screening of urgent/emergent patients using a variety of pre-admission methods such as interviews, patient history, problem identification and ensuring diagnostic testing is completed, reviewed and abnormalities reported. Enters data and updates cardiac databases; supports the administration of the cardiac waitlist management system and contributes to its ongoing evaluation, revision and improvement. Communicates high-risk patient and status information to integrated cardiology team; provides clinical support to patients/families awaiting cardiac procedures/interventions.

1. Performs pre-admission screening of urgent/emergent waitlist patients by interviewing patients, reviewing patient histories, identifying potential problems and ensuring required diagnostic tests are booked and completed.
2. Screens pre-admission/inpatient diagnostic results for completion and identifies abnormalities; reports these to the Physicians as appropriate.
3. Communicates potential problems with patients to hospital departments, physicians and outside agencies as required.
4. Provides support to the Cardiovascular Coordinator in the data entry of the cardiac waitlist management system. Assists in the tracking of patients awaiting cardiac procedures/interventions by monitoring patient wait times and patient stability.
5. Assists the coordinator in the timely update, recording and completion of the database for waiting lists and cases for provision to/coordination with the British Columbia Cardiac Registry.
6. May attend and participate in weekly medical surgical/cardiology rounds and in the discussion of patients with the cardiology groups. As required/appropriate, provides information and consult regarding high-risk patients, optimum procedures with physicians/surgeons, catheter lab nurses and echo techs.
7. Ensures that patient/family centered support and educational information is provided to cardiovascular patients in a timely manner. Provides on-going telephone support to wait list patients and their families.
8. Maintains established systems to notify cardiac and referring physicians of changes in patients' conditions. Coordinates with physicians to develop alternative options to facilitate patients having procedures completed within recommended waiting time guidelines.
9. Provides and communicates relevant information to a range of stakeholders to facilitate decision-making and timely access to care.
10. Assists the Cardiovascular Coordinator to integrate tracking of quality indicators and outcomes; provides input into the development of indicators, standards, practices and procedures; contributes to quality improvement projects to optimize program effectiveness and efficiency.
11. Performs other related duties as required.

Education and Experience

Graduation from a recognized program in Nursing. Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Two (2) years' recent related clinical experience in the designated clinical area, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical proficiency/expertise in the designated clinical nursing area.
• Ability to complete initial and ongoing patient assessment (clinical and diagnostic reasoning) and provide nursing care through appropriate/prescribed technical, therapeutic, safety type interventions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families/care givers, the public, medical staff and members of the interprofessional care team using verbal, written and electronic communication means.
• Ability to promote person-centered care that demonstrates empathy for patients and families/care givers, sensitivity to diverse cultures and preferences, and patient advocacy.
• Ability to integrate and evaluate data from multiple sources to problem-solve effectively.
• Ability to teach and instruct patients and families/care givers about topics essential to their health care and well-being.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to collaborate with and promote cooperation among members of the interprofessional care team.
• Ability to use factual information, prior learning and basic principles and procedures to support nursing decisions and actions with relevant research-based evidence/evidence-informed practice.
• Ability to operate related equipment including relevant computer applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.