Provide comprehensive nursing care to surgical patients, including assessment, planning, and evaluation of care within an interdisciplinary team. Responsibilities include discharge planning, patient advocacy, and maintaining clinical competence according to BCCNM standards.
Requirements summary
Requires current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM). Candidates must demonstrate clinical proficiency in managing surgical patients, including complex wound care and specialized medical equipment.
Please note that the internal competition for this position is now closed, however we are still accepting late applications from qualified internal candidates. Should you choose to apply, your application will only be considered after on-time internal applicants have been considered. minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs) Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is proud to be part of the provincial implementation of minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs), an initiative aimed at enhancing nursing practice and strengthening quality of care across the health system. mNPRs set the minimum number of nurses providing care to patients on a given unit. In British Columbia, mNPRs are developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) and health organizations.
Guided by our values: We Care for Everyone, We Are Always Learning and We Strive for Better Results, we remain committed to fostering quality practice and learning environments where nurses can grow and thrive.
Description
JOB
SUMMARY:Using a best practices approach, provides nursing care to assigned patients/clients working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary care team. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates client care for surgical patient/client group. Participates in discharge planning, functions as a client advocate and teaches clients and their families about illness/injury and overall health promotion and wellness. Enhances quality of life from the perspective of the client/family. Documents care provided and responds to incidents in accordance with established policies and procedures. Consults, confers and collaborates with other health care providers. Maintains and advances own clinical competence. Participates on designated hospital committees/teams and approved research projects as assigned. Practices in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM) standards (professional & practice) and code of ethics for a Registered Nurse. Practices within the scope of practice as set by the organization, as per VCH policies and guidelines/clinical practice documents and within own competence. This practice is aligned with the vision, mission, goals and values of the organization as well as with the concept of a client and family centred care model.QUALIFICATIONS:Education & Experience Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).Skills & AbilitiesDemonstrated ability in nursing practice related to designated client group – Surgical Patients1. Demonstrated knowledge of pathophysiology related to common diagnosis/surgeries and specific clinical situations related to area of practice (e.g. Orthopedic/Ortho Trauma; Heart failure (CHF); Chest Pain, MI, Angina; Respiratory Disease/ Asthma/COPD; Diabetes; Gastrointestinal; Bowel Surgery ERAS; Resections; Hepatic; Renal; Glandular procedures; Vascular; Mastectomy; Urology; Cystectomy ERAS).2. Demonstrated ability to provide nursing assessments & interventions related to common diagnosis/surgeries and specific clinical situations relevant to the designated patient/client group (e.g. Management of fractures; Hip/Knee replacement; Arrhythmias; Sepsis/Shock; DVT/Pulmonary embolism; Endovascular Aortic Stent Grafts; Diabetes; Cardiac/Respiratory failure and arrest; End-stage liver disease; Renal failure; Amputation/Lower limb; Epidural and PCA;
Chest
Tubes: Ostomies;
Wound
Care: surgical incisions, skin grafts, VAC dressing, chronic and complex wounds).3. Demonstrated ability to perform focused secondary assessments and integrate information from a variety of sources including diagnostics and develop plan of care relevant to the designated patient/client group.4. Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated patient/client group.5. Demonstrated ability in correct usage of equipment and maintains competency in working with Oxygen delivery equipment; Care related pumps, catheters, tubes, suctions for designated patient population; Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT); Cryocuff. 6. Demonstrated ability to document client care on appropriate systems/forms in accordance with organizational and unit standards in a timely and accurate manner.7. Demonstrated skill in the management of patients with altered immune response, acute /chronic pain management, Manages anticoagulated therapy & DVT prophylaxis, management of opioid tolerant patients, analgesics, patients with addictions / withdrawal issues. Utilizes the Pain Assessment Record to perform comprehensive pain assessments; Omnicell system, including narcotics.8. Demonstrated skill in safe care & management of patients with Post-op infections; Resections; Pancreatectomy; Splenectomy; Pigtail Drainage Catheter; Pleural chest tube; Skin grafts and donor site; Wound care; Catheterization; Chest tubes; Compartment syndrome; CP Nerve Blocks (CPNBC); Blood glucose monitoring.9. Demonstrated skill in assessing, maintaining, troubleshooting CVC; CVC/PICC/maintenance, blood collection and removal; Peripheral IV insertion and maintenance; Enteral/TPN/Parenteral Nutrition; Administering blood and blood product transfusions; Tracheostomy care.10. Demonstrated skill in performing RN autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to designated patient/client population including IV, infection control, isolation protocols etc.The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Details At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.Unless otherwise noted on the posting, internal job postings close at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on the listed Closing Date. Please submit your digital application via the Internal Career Portal prior to the Closing Date & Time.Nursing & LPN successful applicants will be notified by email.We regret that only short listed candidates will be acknowledged.This is an internal job posting for Vancouver Coastal Health employees only.
