Clinical Information Specialist

Interior Health is looking for an experienced Clinical Information Specialist to join our team on a full time term basis at our site in Kelowna.

This position is expected to last until approximately the 30th of April

In accordance with established vision and values of the organization, the Health Information Practitioner performs technical functions such as coding, abstracting, retrieval of computerized data and processing of medical and legal correspondence.

What we offer:

• Employee & Family Assistance Program
• Employer paid training/education opportunities
• Employer paid vacation
• Medical Services Plan
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended health & dental coverage
• Work-life balance

About the job:

In accordance with established vision and values of the organization, the Clinical Information Specialist will work with Program Directors / Managers / Clinical Practice Professionals in developing systems which support clinical practice by participating and providing knowledge of clinical practice within the specified portfolio. The Clinical Information Specialist will evaluate, plan, implement and maintain computerized clinical systems as part of Interior Health Authority's integrated healthcare information system. Priorities and objectives are developed jointly with Program Directors / Managers.

The Clinical Information Specialist will provide guidance and mentoring to other analysts and staff in relation to clinical applications in all Health Service Delivery Areas. The Clinical Information Specialist provides a leadership role in the application of clinical expertise to technological solutions. The Clinical Information Specialist is involved in making decisions and participating in policy development concerning the identification, development, acquisition, use and evaluation of health care technology.

The Clinical Information Specialist promotes the development of knowledge that supports Clinicians in the use of technology throughout their portfolio and will assume responsibilities associated with the on-going support and maintenance of clinical applications and their overall integration with other clinical applications.

Typical duties and responsibilities:

• Assumes a leadership role in liaising with clinical professionals to assess and identify needs within clinical practice areas. Advocates for appropriate solutions for clinical business needs within Interior Health, ensuring alignment with Corporate and Provincial priorities.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to other analysts on clinical practice issues in relation to the application of technology.
• Applies clinical expertise by participating in decision making and developing policy and standards concerning the identification, development, acquisition, use and evaluation of health care technology.
• Participates on clinical committees (internal and external) as required in order to develop and share knowledge that supports clinicians in the use of technology in all practice domains.
• Supports the development of the electronic health record by methods such as identifying opportunities to move to electronic health information capture and distribution, maintaining an authority-wide view of systems that support the adoption of the electronic health record, and by working with end-users to reduce dependence on paper-based health information.
• Provides input to the Director, Managers and Coordinators of the IMIT department for project and capital budgets.
• Participates in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of computerized patient care systems. This may include development of databases, dictionaries, customer-defined screen and reports.
• Provides ongoing support for clinical users for operational computer applications. Determines related information needs and implements system changes.
• Develops requests for modifications and/or enhancements for clinical applications, and oversees installation, testing and problem resolution of program changes undertaken to fulfill these requests.
• Liaises with health care agencies, educational institutions, and other provider groups to promote the use of technology in improving health care delivery systems.
• Plans, implements and evaluates educational programs to meet the learning needs of the computer users in patient care services, including education of new users, and continuing education of users relative to issues such as systems upgrades and new functionality.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of trends and advances in the field of nursing clinical practice, other clinical disciplines and Healthcare Informatics, as well as new developments in information technology.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of clinical practices and initiatives at both the provincial and federal level that relate to standards, management, privacy and legal issues of the patient information.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education, Training and Experience:

Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Advanced preparation in the clinical specialty of the assigned portfolio, supplemented by courses in computer software technology, three years of recent related clinical experience in the assigned practice environment and two years recent supervisory and teaching experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Valid B.C. Driver's License

Skills and Abilities:

• Leadership: Promotes staff morale, cooperation, assertiveness and risk-taking, creative planning for change and innovations, implementation of IH policies or other protocols, and ongoing professional development of self and others.
• Management: Manages time and resources, implementing activities to promote cooperation among relevant others, supervising responsibilities of others, collaboration across disciplines and related activities.
• Knowledge Integration: Using factual information, prior learning and basic principles and procedures to support decisions and actions with relevant research based evidence. Integrates best practice from nursing and other health-related disciplines and the humanities, arts and sciences disciplines into professional practice.
• Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with the clients, families, the public, medical staff and the members of the interdisciplinary team using oral, written and computer communication means.
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrated ability to integrate and evaluate pertinent data (from multiple sources) to problem-solve effectively.
• Teaching: Ability to transmit information intended to instruct clinicians and others about topics essential to clinical informatics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of clinical practices, standards, and current trends in computer applications in healthcare.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electronic health information systems such as the Meditech or Goldcare systems.
• Ability to operate related equipment including proven ability to utilize computer technology.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.