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.
The Patient Care Coordinator works collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team and within a trauma informed model of care and Indigenous Cultural lens, coordinates patient/client care activities in a defined area of clinical expertise and provides leadership, supervision and guidance to designated staff. Facilitates efficient patient/client flow and access within and between units/programs/clinics. Provides leadership in the planning and implementation of innovative approaches for delivering quality and efficient services to support/promote health and illness prevention strategies for patients/clients with complex mental health and/or substance use issues. Ensures a high standard of patient/client care by acting as a clinical resource for staff and supporting staff training and development. Assists the Clinical Services Manager (CSM) or designate with performing administrative duties and coordinates staffing, scheduling and clinical research activities, ensuring optimal use of client care resources. Promotes education and research. Consults and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, the leadership team and other health care professionals/providers to achieve excellence in patient/client and family centered care and enhancement in the quality of life consistent with established policies, standards of practice and philosophy of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
Duties/Accountabilities:
1. Coordinates patient/client care related activities and provides leadership in the planning and implementation of innovative and creative approaches for the delivery of services. Promotes quality of care by consulting and collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to help establish appropriate goals of care and individualized care plans considering the patient’s/client’s physiological, psychiatric, psychological, spiritual and sociocultural needs.
2. Assists staff in operationalizing care standards, patient/client care guidelines, protocols, clinical pathways and organizational policies. Works with patients/clients/families and the team to minimize variances from the standardized elements of care and length of stay as described in the clinical pathway. Facilitates the evaluation of services to ensure program and service needs are met. Ensures adherence to established policies, procedures, and protocols including those for quality assurance and the safety of staff, patients, visitors, and the community; making sure that an adequate number of appropriate qualified clinical staff are available, coordinating equipment and other resources; and collaborating with other areas/external resources to solve operational problems, facilitating continuity of nursing care. Advises the CSM (or on-call Administrator) of any urgent patient care issues or concerns.
3. Attends and participates in initial patient/client care evaluations and admission meetings as a member of an interdisciplinary team by providing input on a variety of care issues, practice effectiveness and administrative decisions according to client care standards. Assesses the patient’s/client’s overall needs, conducts risk assessments, formulates initial diagnostic impressions and determines priority of care requirements.
4. Reviews patient/client progress and client/family needs. Provides formal and informal consultation as needed to health care team members, other health care providers and students. Provides guidance/knowledge in the management of care in a client/group in defined area of clinical expertise. Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration for treatment concerns, continuity of care, crisis management protocols and community resource coordination. Assists with therapeutic interventions and problem solving, provides clinical guidance and information on complex cases, discusses client care issues and develops linkages/partnerships to meet client need.
5. Establishes, maintains and enhances therapeutic relationships based on respect with patients/client. Engages others in treatment planning and evaluation, provides follow-up planning, supports patients/clients to manage self-care, encourages informed decision making and empowers client to improve quality of life. Teaches client about management/treatment of medical conditions.
6. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to organize and implement group sessions according to the needs of the patient/client population and their identified goals. Provides continuous communication with team members and works collaboratively with staff, management and outside agencies in the identification and resolution of client/family care issues, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas, coordination and integration of care.
7. Facilitates transition planning by supporting nursing practice and interdisciplinary team in delivery of ongoing care and transition planning along usual care path. Liaises with community and hospital transition teams as applicable during transition planning to ensure successful transition to home, new units or other health care facility. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team and other health care providers in the identification and resolution of patient/client care issues, such as defining appropriate lengths of stay, by ensuring care standards are based on clinical practice guidelines, protocols and clinical pathways.
8. Provides outreach and consultative services to patients/clients as applicable to the position in hospital and/or community settings, hospital staff and community health professionals regarding community mental health and substance use resources and access to these resources. Visits patient’s/client's home and/or community settings when applicable regarding substance abuse issues. Provides strategies and skill building techniques to relevant care givers, identifies and provides applicable information and resources, suggests contacts in order to facilitate optimal planning.
9. Assists staff to access current and appropriate reference teaching materials for specialized groups of patients/clients and their families. Promotes the teaching of patients/clients/families about illness prevention, health maintenance and health promotion by developing teaching strategies, assessing learning needs of patients/clients/families, teaching staff and/or patients/clients/families and evaluating the outcome of learning.
10. Assists the CSM or designate with the coordination of staffing/scheduling activities by participating in the development of rotation schedules, ensuring daily schedules are prepared and troubleshooting staffing/scheduling related issues. In consultation with the CSM coordinates and approves requests for leaves of absence based on operational requirements and communicates changes to staff. Ensures sick/last minute vacancies are filled and liaises with CSM on longer term leaves, regarding status of ill/injured team members and return to work programs/approval. Maintains timekeeping records and communicates with payroll on issues such as changes in timekeeping procedures, employee enquiries and corrections to identified discrepancies.
11. Assists the CSM with planning, developing and evaluating patient/client care in the unit/program by evaluating clinical practices and systems and drafting new and/or revised procedures, standards and criteria in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team and clients/families.
12. Assists the CSM with administrative activities and promoting optimal use of client care resources by identifying systems for improving resource utilization, providing input into budget/staff allocation, assisting team members in workload decision-making, evaluating patients/clients for admission/transitions, evaluating patient/client care products/equipment and identifying new equipment purchases required. Recommends changes to existing administrative processes as needed.
13. Maintains statistical records and reports on various activities by methods such as collecting data, recording, tabulating and summarizing information, utilizing basic spreadsheet software for budgetary requirements and workload monitoring, and providing input into proposals, budget policies and procedures as required.
14. Assists the CSM by participating in the selection of new staff and performance evaluation of staff by attending interviews, assessing clinical skills and providing recommendations regarding the evaluation of candidates to facilitate optimal hiring decisions. Provides written input into employee performance evaluations to promote quality work performance. Discusses and clarifies performance expectations with staff, determines orientation and training requirements, documents performance problems and provides input to the CSM regarding probationary period extensions and disciplinary action.
15. Participates in the orientation of new staff by providing support to preceptors and preceptees, monitoring and evaluating the progress of the new staff member through consultation with preceptor and clinical educators and communicating staff performance information to the CSM.
16. Supports or leads in staff education and training and development activities in collaboration with CSM, Clinical Educator (if applicable) or other designated personnel, by conducting needs assessments of individuals, coordinating or demonstrating the introduction of new knowledge/skills/procedures, role modeling, supporting autonomous practice, promoting a learning environment and arranging in-service sessions and orientations as required. Maintains records and identifies and schedules staff attendances at yearly updates.
17. Participates in students' clinical experience and/or works with Clinical Educator or designate by assigning staff to students in order to meet students' learning needs. Collaborates with the preceptor to assign patients/clients to allow for student’s maximum learning. Gathers feedback from students and staff regarding their experience to identify opportunities and formulate recommendations to the CSM for quality improvement.
18. Integrates quality improvement and risk management principles and activities into nursing practice for assigned areas through evaluating effect of changes in care practice, generating recommendations for alternate approaches, following up on incident reports, conducting safety audits, taking corrective actions and recommending changes to selected policies, procedures or protocols. Maintains awareness of all necessary legislation, regulations, requirements, client needs, industry trends, technology and protocols to ensure current policies, standards, and protocols are relevant, safe, effective, current and cost effective.
19. Identifies opportunities and resources (e.g. rounds, communities of practice, journal clubs) to promote staff awareness and support knowledge sharing. Facilitates evidence informed nursing practice and nursing and interdisciplinary research by identifying issues and practices which require research, by reviewing relevant literature/resources and participating in research activities. Oversees the collection of statistical and performance data and ensures reporting requirements/submissions are met; shares relevant research findings with the team by collaborating with the team to change practices in response to research findings. Promotes and supports Knowledge Translation activities and evaluates results.
20. Participates on committees and teams that promote improvements to patient/client care and the efficient and safe delivery of services by attending meetings to promote optimal support for patients/clients and families and provide input into improvements of care and services and the resolution of issues. Advocates for the achievement of goals and objectives and the efficient and safe operations of the unit/program. Participates in educational programs to ensure resources and activities are current, accurate and appropriate.
21. Sets measurable personal performance goals in collaboration with the CSM for professional development such as, updating own knowledge within area of practice by reviewing current literature and research, identifying new theories, trends and opportunities and developing a plan in collaboration with the CSM for professional development. Reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within established time frames.
22. Maintains and updates relevant knowledge and understanding of forensic nursing practice, principles of relational security in secure hospital settings, community mental health, nursing standards of professional practice and Code of Ethics, and the applicable sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection and Privacy Act, FPSC health information records as per FPSC policy. Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of the BC Mental Health Act, social, financial, rehabilitation, emergency, and other resources in BCMHSUS.
23. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Promotes awareness of Work Safe BC and Occupational Health and Safety standards by reviewing standards with staff to determine adherence.
24. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel and using online patient safety learning system (PSLS). Assists the CSM in leading review of safety events as a handler such as, interviewing patients/clients/families to investigate clinical components of incident reports; refers performance related issues to the CSM. Shares learning from safety events with team members and incorporates recommendations within clinical practice to enhance client safety.
25. Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications:
Education, Training and Experience
• Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).
• Completion of post basic specialty nursing certificate/program if applicable, and three (3) years' recent, related experience in the designated clinical area, including working with the applicable population group when indicated, and one (1) year's related administrative/supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Valid BC Driver's License and access to personal vehicle for local area travel may be required.
• Valid BC Driver's License and access to personal vehicle for local area travel may be required.
Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of mental disorders, addiction and concurrent disorders and treatment, and of the principles of recovery.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology, chemical dependency and addictions treatment, psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects) and psychotherapeutic and counseling skills.
• Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Practice and its application to the defined population of clients
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership, supervision, work direction and consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive mental health and addiction clinical and risk assessments, utilizing relevant tools and rating scales, and formulate a treatment plan, participate in discharge planning and provide crisis intervention.
• Ability to apply knowledge of theory and practice to a case management process.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and in writing) and collaborate effectively with clients and their families, coworkers, physicians, other health care staff, and staff of external agencies.
• Knowledge of primary, secondary and tertiary care programs and relevant, community resources.
• Knowledge of health care disciplines and their role in client/family care and service provision.
• Knowledge of evidence informed nursing practice related to designated clinical area.
• Knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to client, including the BC Mental Health Act.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational materials for staff/patients/clients and families based on education theories, principles and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to promote a supportive, creative learning environment and lead continuous quality improvement.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, adjust to unexpected events, mediate and deal with conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead change and support staff through transitions.
• Knowledge of basic research, e.g. research ethics, research question, hypothesis and qualitative and quantitative data analyses methods
• Demonstrated ability to perform CPR.
• Demonstrated computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system as well as applicable word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**
NBA internal positions are posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a period of 72 hours. A selection decision will be made within 7 business days of the posting closing date. If an interview is required, you must be available. Interviews are scheduled for the week January 13, 2025. The successful applicant has 48 hours to accept or decline the position. If you will not be available to accept or decline the job offer during the selection process, you must assign a designate that the Hiring Leader may contact during your absence. Please ensure you have clearly identified your designate on your resume or cover letter. If you have any questions regarding this new process, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk by email at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca.