Job Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Provides nursing care to patients admitted to Fir Square. Types of patients cared for on this unit include ante/postpartum women with issues of drug/alcohol use, poverty/self esteem and/or mental health problems, newborns who have been exposed to drug/alcohol use in utero, newborns who require additional observation and newborns who are awaiting placement.

Duties/Accountabilities

Duties

Using the nursing process and RNABC standards of nursing practice provides care services such as maternal, fetal/newborn/infant assessment and administration of ordered drugs and therapy. Cerates a therapeutic environment by providing teaching and counseling. Conducts initial and ongoing comprehensive nursing assessments of assigned patients, including ante partum and postpartum women and newborns. Closely monitors and documents physical/emotional condition of the mother/fetus throughout all stages of detoxification and stabilization. Monitors infants for signs of withdrawal and/or other deviations from the expected norm.

Provides care and support to

Chemically dependent women. Mother/infant dyads during the early postpartum period, caring for the infant at the bedside (whenever possible), aiding the mother in watching for signs and symptoms of withdrawal. Substance exposed babies in the nursery. Babies requiring additional observation for reasons of medical instability. Babies awaiting placement. Plans and coordinates in-hospital services required by the patient and her family, by referring to dietary services, physiotherapy, social work, life skills counseling, child life and/or lactation consultants. Develops a comprehensive care plan with the multidisciplinary team, focusing on identified addiction, biopsycho-social/spiritual challenges and discharge planning. Evaluates the outcome of care provided and modifies plan accordingly. Provides patient/family teaching focusing on the pregnancy, the birth experience, postpartum, newborn care and parenting. Also provides counseling on reduction of risk behaviours which can result in infants being born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Prepares women and their families for discharge from hospital. Refers patients to Community Services as necessary. Liaises with the Ministry for Children & Family Development regarding discharge planning for the women and their infants, as required. Initiates emergency care for the women/fetus/newborn in crisis by transferring women/newborns to Delivery Suite, Operating Room or Special Care Nursery as per protocol. Obtains immediate assistance from relevant resources, such as Physician/Midwife, Unit Perinatal Clinical Educator, Program Director and other team members as indicated. Contributes to a learning environment by preceptoring new orientees and nursing and other students and by supporting research endeavours in this specialty area. Takes responsibility for personal and professional development and provides a nursing perspective by attending multi-disciplinary/nursing in-services, rounds, conferences and committee meetings. Other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as an RN with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP). Two years recent related perinatal and nursery nursing experience which includes one year of recent experience dealing with patients with addictions; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current CPR/Newborn Resuscitation Certification. Breastfeeding update, minimum 6 hours, in the last two years. Fetal Health Assessment Certificate.

Skills And Abilities

Ability to use maternal/fetal/newborn nursing theory and expertise. Ability and knowledge of woman centered care and its application. Ability and willingness to assess women in a thorough, concerned and non-judgmental manger. Ability and willingness to continue to provide empathetic and non-judgmental support, reassurance and counseling to all women on every admission (regardless of number and frequency) and at all stages of admission. Ability to work with newborn infants in withdrawal. Ability to work with women in crisis and with addictions. Demonstrated enthusiasm, commitment and ability to provide nursing care that acknowledges cultural diversity in health practices and an individual’s right to make choices. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to operate related equipment. Ability to organize work. Ability to deal with others effectively. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.