Clinical Nurse Specialist, Palliative/End of Life Care

Come work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Palliative/End of Life Care with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to support with Palliative & End of Life Care.

Reporting operationally to the Director, Vancouver Community Home Support and Home Hospice Operations and Vancouver Community End of Life Lead, and with professional accountability to the VCH Vice President Professional Practice, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Palliative/End of Life Care, is responsible for providing leadership and direction in the delivery of nursing care and the formulation of organizational policies relevant to such care. The CNS works within the organization’s leadership framework to foster, facilitate and achieve the highest standards of service delivery and leads in the planning, development and implementation of clinical policies and programs designed for improving patient/client care. Provides expert advice and consultation in the areas of nursing, resource planning, program and health system improvement, research and professional development to support quality and utilization initiatives. Continuously evaluates practice and contributes to the ongoing organizational development of practice knowledge by evaluating research and developing frameworks and strategies to facilitate the implementation of best practices. Functions as clinical leader in Palliative/End of Life Care and advances nursing practice in the area of this specialty through the use of advanced practice and evidence based research. Works closely with Professional Practice leaders and acts as a liaison between various hospitals and/or community programs to facilitate integration of care across the continuum and reports on professional nursing practice matters. Provides leadership and expert consultation to team members and other health care staff, patients/clients and families/significant others. Works collaboratively with Program Managers, Medical Directors, Clinical Educators, Nurse Clinicians, staff nurses, and others members of the interdisciplinary team to pro-actively move nursing practice forward at the regional, provincial, and national levels.

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Palliative/End of Life Care with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Be responsible for providing leadership and expert advice and care in the area of oncology, nursing clinical practice and advancing care through professional development, education, communication, innovation, consultation and research.
• Be consistent with the policies, standards and objectives of VCH and the health service delivery area, maintains administrative responsibility and authority while participating in decision-making, goal setting, policy development and program planning designed for improving the quality of acute care services.
• Be responsible for standards of practice, stays current with literature on nursing practice and promotes the advancement of a research, theory, and evidence-based autonomous practice of nursing.
• Facilitate the provision of oncology services across the continuum of care collaborating with acute and cancer care partners through the support for, and participation in, quality and utilization improvement initiatives.
• Provide leadership, expert consultation and navigation to clients and families/significant others as well as staff.
• Work collaboratively with Directors, Physicians, Managers, nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team.

Education & Experience

• Masters degree in Nursing; plus current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• A minimum of five (5) year’s recent related experience working in a health care setting with a focus in Palliative/End of Life Careand in a progressive leadership role.
• Canadian Nurses Association certification in related specialty or membership in related provincial, national and/or international professional association(s) with Palliative/End of Life Care preferred.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Effectively collaborates to build relationships that promote the achievement of cooperative goals and contribute to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided with trauma informed, cuturally safe approach to equity, diversity and indigenous culturally safety.
• Professionally consults to enable the successful sharing of expertise with caregivers, patients/clients, families/significant others, other members of the public, and colleagues.
• Proficiently provides and vigilantly evaluates education/orientation on complex advanced practices and abilities to ensure skills levels are acquired or maintained by team members to meet overall practice and care standards.
• Utilizes expert acute clinical evaluation skills to assess needs of the patient/client and their families/significant others.
• Skillfully, and in consultation with academic institutions and professional bodies, identifies/develops discipline specific standards for teaching and education.
• Collaboratively leads in the identification, planning and implementation of ongoing activities to support research initiatives.
• Effectively leads and directs staff by providing a work environment that fosters motivation and respectful relationships, and enables decision-making.
• Exhibits advanced verbal, written, and technological communication and presentation skills when disseminating information/advice and/or promoting the use of research findings.
• Applies knowledge of a wide range of cross-cultural and diversity issues within a health care environment.
  
  

As per the current Public Health Orders, as of October 5, 2023, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have received a single dose of the most-recent, updated COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and 'going first' when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.