Indigenous Community Health Nurse

Detailed Overview

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) scope of practice, standards of practice and the Mission and Values of Fraser Health, works collaboratively as a member of an interprofessional team to provide direct patient care for clinical practice within the Aboriginal Health program. The role of the Indigenous Community Health Nurse is to partner with and complement that of the family physician or nurse practitioner.

Provides initial client consultation, assessment, triage, coaching and teaching, health promotion and intervention, client care services and follow-up based on the client's needs, urgency of request and best practices, to ensure clients, families and caregivers are provided with ease of access to timely, person-centred, continuous and culturally safe quality health services. Care may be provided in the clinic setting, over the phone, or in the community setting.

Facilitates and manages client transitions across the healthcare continuum to optimize health and well-being and adapts to changes in the client's condition to minimize avoidable admission to healthcare facilities; collaborates with the client and ensures linkages with acute, primary and community care healthcare providers including the client's primary care provider (Nurse Practitioner, Physician), other specialists and family supports with respect to client care planning to facilitate the flow of information through a variety of settings including FH and non-FH community services.

Provides client and family-centered care through a trauma-informed approach and evidence-informed practice. Establishes a dignifying, purposeful and trusting relationship with clients, promoting self-determination and independence. Encourages knowledge exchange in day-to day activities, and empowers clients to engage and connect within their communities. Ensures clients and their family members are supported in navigating the health care system. Responsibilities Provides direct nursing care to clients receiving scheduled or urgent/timely care.

Assesses clients and collects information from a variety of sources using skills of observation, communication, data review and physical assessment. Triages and makes a nursing diagnosis of the client's condition and determines whether the condition can be improved or resolved by an appropriate nursing intervention or through interventions and collaboration with other clinical staff and primary care provider. Assists the Physician/NP and other team members with urgent and emergent care as necessary.

Performs a comprehensive and focused health assessment that includes health history and complete physical evaluation; considers the patient's psychosocial, emotional, ethnic, cultural and spiritual dimension of health, the client's goals for health, including a thorough medication assessment and best possible medication history, and his or her understanding of their health/illness experience and how their daily life is affected. Processes physician or nurse practitioner orders through methods such as administering medications, carrying out treatments and monitoring and documenting the effects.

Immunizes clients against vaccine preventable disease in accordance with the BCCDC scope of practice and applicable policies and procedures. Conducts immunization clinics by assessing immunization needs, transporting vaccines, setting up work stations, establishing informed consent, preparing and administering injections and observing and responding to reactions such as fainting and anaphylaxis to ensure client safety. Ensures cold chain procedures are followed in accordance with policies and procedures.

Advises client about possible adverse reactions and contraindications and provides after care instructions and related documentation. Answers immunization related questions as required. Participates in quality improvement, risk management activities, research and special projects in collaboration with relevant personnel by methods such as collecting data, interpreting data and providing input for further analysis, as required. Provides formal presentations and educational programs for selected population groups via telephone, one-on-one and group in a clinical, school, community and outreach settings;

provides collegial sharing of information to staff for the purpose of enhancing knowledge of Aboriginal cultures and health beliefs; provides information on services available in the community for Aboriginal people; participates in committees that integrate Aboriginal Health with hospital and community programs by providing input and addressing Aboriginal Health issues. Performs nursing procedures within their scope of practice and their own level of competency both independently and in an assisting role with the Physician/NP.

Establishes a therapeutic relationship with the client through the use of interpersonal and interviewing techniques, in person and/or over the telephone, to…