RN, Medical Imaging

Detailed Overview

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice and the Mission and Values of Fraser Health, provides direct nursing care to patients within the Medical Imaging Dept according to established standards and administrative policies and procedures. Assesses and monitors patients physical and psycho-social needs; identifies problems, plans, implements, documents, evaluates and coordinates the nursing care of assigned patients and performs scrubbing and circulating duties. Consults, confers, and collaborates with other health care providers as well as with other members of the Medical Imaging team. Demonstrates continuous improvement and best practice approach in nursing. Responsibilities Provides individualized nursing care to patients presenting with variable complexities of illnesses or injuries ranging from outpatients to seriously ill patients with multi-system failure to ensure comfort and safety whilst undergoing diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures. Assesses patient health status, identifies patient/family priorities and plans, monitors vital signs, and carries out physical assessments at appropriate intervals. Reorganizes priorities and revises care plans as required and includes patient/family in evaluating progress towards their goal. Observes and detects significant and/or life-threatening changes to patient's condition, and intervenes to manage changes; evaluates outcomes to these interventions. Acts to resolve problems or to relieve care/emergent situations. Assists Radiologists during diagnostic and interventional procedures by acting as the scrub and/or the circulating nurse. Carries out procedures required for the set up of equipment, aseptic counting and opening of instruments and other supplies. Interprets basic ECG data. Based on patient diagnosis, anticipates need for and sets up additional equipment. Sets up intravenous lines, including inserting catheters and intravenous therapy to provide continuous medical infusions, and titrates dosages to ensure therapeutic goals are met. Administers blood products and oxygen therapy. Performs a variety of health care interventions utilizing nursing skills and knowledge of medical equipment specific to Medical Imaging including diagnostic and interventional procedures such as thrombolysis, embolizations, angioplasties and biliary and urological interventional procedures. Assists with procedural sedation, general anesthesia (at sites where required) and airway management. Monitors patient status and maintains critical care safety protocols for patients as required. Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and/or families during pre-procedure preparation and provides emotional support to patients pre, peri and post-procedure. Verifies patient identity, checks consent, obtains information about patient essential to procedure, and provides explanations and reassurances to patients and their families in response to questions/concerns. Advocates for and facilitates informed choices. Teaches patients/families about specific procedure and post-procedure care. Demonstrates self/home care skills. Anticipates, prepares for, and responds to unexpected critical situations during and/or post-procedures such as cardiac arrest by initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or administering appropriate medication. Organizes priorities in response to constantly fluctuating workload volumes and patient treatment requirements in consultation with team members. Assesses patient for discharge in accordance with established discharge criteria. Consults with, and collaborates with peers and other caregivers in the identification and resolution of patient/family care issues, ethical dilemmas, and coordination and integration of care. Acts as patient advocate protecting and promoting the patient's right to autonomy, respect, privacy, dignity, and access to information. Documents patient/family perspectives, nursing observations and activities that support patient/family priorities. Maintains complete and accurate computerized and paper records through methods such as inputting data and documentation in accordance with established procedures and policies. Uses appropriate supplies and equipment for patient care in accordance with departmental standards regarding cost effectiveness, availability, and safe care requirements. Maintains patient-monitoring equipment such as resuscitation cart and oximeter by documenting equipment checks, problem-solving equipment malfunctions with technical staff, identifying equipment requiring replacement or refurbishing, and making recommendations to ensure equipment is kept in operative condition. Handles, stores, and disposes of workplace hazardous materials and sharps in accordance with established procedures. Maintains an awareness of current Occupation Health & Safety guidelines and standards. Responds to incidents such as missing patients, injuries to staff or visitors, Code Blue/White emergencies, hazardous spills, minor spills, fire and aggressive/disruptive behaviour to ensure medical and other support is accessed in a timely manner; informs designated staff of occurrences, and completes Incident Reports in accordance with established procedures and policies. Participates in unit/team/program activities required to enhance and optimize the delivery of care and to facilitate evidence-based nursing practice. Promotes quality management principles for unit/team/program operations, identifies processes/procedures that require improvement, and drafts/revises guidelines, policies and procedures for review. Identifies and reports unsafe practice/professional conduct in accordance with professional standards and organizational policies. Applies an evidence-based approach to clinical problem solving through methods such as reviewing relevant literature/resources and applying approved research findings in clinical practice to support the research culture of the organization. Evaluates results in collaboration with interdisciplinary team. Participates on committees as directed to promote optimal support for patients, to facilitate the resolution of issues, and to advocate for the goals and objectives of the unit/team/program. Participates in approved nursing and interdisciplinary research and special projects in collaboration with designated personnel/team and other health care professionals, through methods such as collecting data, summarizing information, and/or providing verbal updates for review and further analysis by principal researcher, research team and/or project coordinator. Demonstrates and/or provides guidance on clinical and health related tasks to designated caregivers and guides the clinical experience of assigned students and new staff; provides input to the Site Coordinator and/or designated as requested on an individual's progress in achieving established standards of nursing care. Maintains and updates own clinical knowledge within area of practice, and develops a plan in collaboration with designated personnel/team for professional development. Reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within established time frames. Performs other related duties as required. Qualifications Education and Experience Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Completion of a recognized high acuity specialty nursing certificate and one year of recent related interventional medical imaging experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate. Skills and Abilities Demonstrated ability in nursing practice within an angiographic and/or interventional medical imaging setting. Demonstrated ability to assess patient responses and to respond appropriately. Demonstrated ability in the initiation and management of IV therapy and administration of IV medications. Demonstrated ability to respond immediately and appropriately to emergencies. Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology, and patient physiological reactions, related to anesthesia and/or procedural sedation. Demonstrated ability to plan and implement care plans. Demonstrated ability to adjust to unexpected events, problem-solve, set priorities and deal with conflict. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and in writing) and deal effectively with patients and their families, coworkers, physicians, other health care staff, and staff of external agencies. Demonstrated ability to counsel and teach patients and their families. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership through initiative and independence. Demonstrated ability to model and mentor new staff and students. Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies appropriate to an angiographic and/or interventional diagnostic imaging setting. Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques. Demonstrated skill in use of cardiac monitoring equipment. Demonstrated computer skills including the ability to effectively use a computerized patient care information system. Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

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