Registered Nurse - Early Palliative Cancer Patient Navigator

Within Cancer Care Alberta (CCA), the Early Palliative Navigator (EPN) is an integral member of the multi-disciplinary cancer care team. The EPN will support cancer patients with advanced cancer who require complex care coordination and who are or have receiving care at the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre (MEYCC). The EPN will facilitate timely access to information, support, and cancer services, at key transition points along the cancer care continuum, spanning from diagnosis through treatment, to palliation and transition to community based palliative services. The EPN may receive a referral from community physicians, community agencies, the triage coordinators and staff within CCA. The EPN will focus on providing a palliative approach to care, which includes providing information about their late-stage diagnosis (as appropriate), initiating goals of care conversations, and discussing possible treatment and supportive options available, ensuring the patient receives targeted symptom management and preparing patients and families for their oncology treatment. At any point across the cancer trajectory the EPN, in collaboration with the health care team, will work to address the advance cancer patient’s changing physical, psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, and/or practical needs. Additionally, the EPN works closely with key stakeholders (including oncology specialists, primary care, community based services, AHS Palliative Programs, Home Care and patients and their families) to improve access to palliative care services, provide patient and family centered care coordination, holistic culturally competent care, promote patient self-management, inform decision making, facilitate complex symptom management, advanced care planning, and transitional support when there is no further disease modifying treatment options within CCA.

As a Registered Nurse (RN), you will provide a wide variety of nursing services to patients, families, communities and populations, while taking necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being. In your role, you will utilize nursing processes, through critical thinking, problem solving and decision making, as well as teach, counsel and advocate on behalf of patients and their families. You will play a leadership role in supporting an integrated and holistic approach to patient care, health promotion and maintenance. You will provide safe, quality patient and family centered care while reflecting the shared vision and values of AHS. PLEASE NOTE: Provisional Permit Holders shall be paid $35.87/hour - $43.82/hour. Upon being entered into the register of Registered Nurses, the rate of pay shall be adjusted to the rate of pay applicable to a Registered Nurse in accordance with AHS/UNA Article 25.02(b)(i) or (ii) as applicable. This posting is scheduled to close at 23:59 MT of the posting end date but may be filled earlier if a Regular Employee who holds a position within the unit, program, or office expresses their interest in this vacancy by 23:59 MT on the 5th calendar day following the posting date, under LOU #25. In the event that no Regular Employee from this workplace expresses their interest by the deadline, the vacancy shall be filled under the provisions of Article 14: Promotions, Transfers and Vacancies. Please be advised this posting may be used to fill multiple identical vacancies arising as a result of the administration of the Trial of Modified Posting Provisions.

Completion of an accredited nursing education program. Active or eligible for registration and practice permit with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA). Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP). If you have not practiced as a Registered Nurse within the last five (5) years, completion of the following free courses is required: CRNA Medication Management - Chapters 1 - 4 (https://connect.nurses.ab.ca/home/%2Flearning-and-development%2Flearning-modules%2F) and the NextGenU Health Assessment Resources Certification (https://courses.nextgenu.org/course/view.php?id=271#section-0)

Completion of CCA-AHS Cancer Patient Navigation course upon hire or within 3 months of accepting position. CPNs are expected to maintain their oncology competencies within their current clinical setting as required. Ability to excel in complex working environment with multi-tasking, interruptions, and supporting patients under emotional distress.

CNA Oncology Certification (CONc) or Certification in Hopsice Palliative Care (CHPCC) preferred Preference given to applicants with recent oncology, palliative and or navigation expererience. Community, public health nursing, palliative, home care or ambulatory care experience is considered an asset.