Registered Nurse, Stroke Nurse - Royal Columbian Hospital

Detailed Overview Employing the four dimensions of nursing practice, the stroke nurse provides clinical assessment, coordination, facilitation and education to support the interdisciplinary team in delivering best practices in stroke care to patients and families. Working in close collaboration with the stroke team and physician, this role facilitates support of patients who experience an acute (hot) stroke to receive timely and appropriate care in alignment with the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations. Acts as a clinical resource to interdisciplinary teams, patients and families including education, documentation, data collection and service delivery evaluation. Responsibilities Responds to all pre-notification calls from Emergency Health Services (EHS) and collaborates with Emergency Department staff for notification of Stroke Neurology service of pre-notification call. Responds to all acute hot stroke admissions and in-hospital strokes; and notifies stroke interdisciplinary team. Assesses, plans, and implements appropriate nursing care of acute stroke patients in collaboration with the stroke team. Collects information from a variety of sources using skills of observation, communication and physical assessment to enable the provision of appropriate nursing care. Facilitates stroke treatments planning and delivery such as thrombolysis +/- EVT, ensuring patient preparation and team communication. Administers medications as required. Explains plan of care to patients and their family. Assists with rapid imaging process (transferring to table, patient weight, etc.) including patient transport; communicates to Stroke Neurology service and physician when CT/CTA is completed. Communicates and consults with members of the stroke team about patient's care. Facilitates and coordinates the use of stroke protocols and ensures appropriate best practice in stroke care is utilized/implemented. Ensures pre-printed order set, clinical forms and assessments are implemented and utilized. Documents clinical care in the patient health care record as required; facilitates admission, information gathering and handover reports to appropriate department/unit. Determines stroke care priorities that meet clinical and patient/family needs in collaboration and consultation with the stroke interdisciplinary team. Collects hot stroke data, compiles statistics, maintains records as determined by stroke interdisciplinary team. Participates in quality reviews, investigations and follows up on patient cases. Identifies stroke patient care issues and recommends stroke care revisions/improvements to stroke strategy and processes. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and participates in research and quality improvement activities including research. Acts as a resource to staff, patients and families; role models theory-based practice to support the needs of patients/families and staff; facilitates team building. Provides feedback and direction for planning patient care. Supports the Fraser Health stroke strategy and submits reports as required; supports staff and patient/family education including real-time learning opportunities. Participates in various internal and related meetings as required. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Graduation from an approved School of Nursing plus three years' related clinical experience in designated clinical area including post-basic clinical training in critical care and/or emergency nursing. Current practicing registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Current Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) health care providers (HCP) certification. Skills and Abilities Clinical proficiency/expertise in the designated clinical nursing area. Comprehensive knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a patient and family-centred model of care. Ability to develop, implement and evaluate clinical practices including best practices related to stroke services. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others in an interdisciplinary team setting. Knowledge of research processes and methodology. Demonstrated ability to teach and facilitate learning of patients/clients/families based upon principles of adult learning. Ability to operate related equipment including related software applications. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.