Registered Nurse (RN), TB Clinics, Clinical Prevention Services - BC Centre for Disease Control

Registered Nurse, TB Clinics, Clinical Prevention Services BC Centre for Disease Control New Westminster, BC A first in Canada: minimum Nurse‑to‑Patient Ratios (mNPRs) are being introduced in B.C.! The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), alongside B.C.'s other regional health authorities, is implementing mNPRs as a transformative staffing initiative that aims to improve the working environment of nurses in order to provide better quality care to our patients. Learn more at: jobs.phsa.ca/mnpr What you’ll do

Provide nursing care, education and counselling using a health promotion, harm reduction and trauma informed approach.

Provide nursing services related to the assessment of clients presenting with or at risk for TB by methods such as interviewing clients and taking history, gathering data appropriate to clinical assessment and diagnosis, involving client in a risk assessment for TB, determining appropriate timing of tests to produce valid test results, and assessing client’s anxiety related to their risks and their ability to deal with positive test results.

Perform nursing procedures to assist physician in diagnosis including tuberculin skin testing and reading, obtaining specimens and preparing requisitions for laboratory testing such as sputum, serology, urine, cytology and visual acuity; assisting physician with physical examination and dressing change; examines clients for signs and symptoms of infection, lymph node and skin exam and chest auscultation; uses aseptic technique and accepted safety measures to collect specimens required for diagnostic confirmation which may include venipuncture.

Administering appropriate treatment according to appropriate clinical guidelines and Decision Support Tools by methods such as assessing the information gathered to determine action required regarding treatment and client follow-up, interpreting test results to clients. Arrange for referral of clients to private physicians, clinics, support services or specialists as necessary which may require clinic physician consultation, assisting clients to locate community resources appropriate to their needs, and ensuring client is aware of and understands any need for follow-up.

Provide education and counseling using a health promotion approach to clients and their families regarding topics such as risk behaviours with a goal of reducing risk behaviours, the transmission and treatment of tuberculosis both at home and/or admission to hospital.

Administer prescribed medications and perform medication reconciliation by methods such as ensuring doctor’s orders are met in regard to medication, return examinations and follow-up; distributing anti-tuberculous medications as ordered, and monitoring for compliance and counselling for side-effects.

Prepare and maintain client records by methods such as documenting client assessments, interventions, evaluations, modifications and client goals, charting client information, documenting significant events/unusual occurrences, noting referrals, recording contact with client/family and health care staff, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to regulatory requirements and provide evidence and rationale that support findings and intervention plan.

Carry out contact tracing duties for all clients with TB to ensure contact notification and document adequate treatment or arranging follow up by Interviewing clients in person or by telephone to collect all available information regarding contacts for a specific period of time, using information collected and investigative skills when information is limited to find named contacts, and informing named contacts by telephone or visit what infection they may have been exposed to and what action is required of them, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained at all times. Follow up with contacts to document required testing and treatment, and contacting healthcare providers of clients with lab reported TB to document adequate treatment and offer assistance with contact tracing as necessary and or arrange follow up. What you bring