Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. The Nurse Consultant will function as the point of contact for external stakeholders needing information regarding TB Services,TB clients and identify index cases with active TB and contacts of those cases and ensure they are followed appropriately. The Nurse Consultant provides direction and education to public health nurses (PHN) in the case management, treatment and epidemiology of tuberculosis. The Nurse Consultant will collaborate with internal/external stakeholders to develop nursing guidelines and standards of practice for the tuberculosis program to support public health workers delivering care to clients affected by tuberculosis.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Oversees the case management for cases of active TB, Latent TB and MOTT cases in B.C. and the Yukon. Provides direction to Public Health Nurses and is accountable for direction given on isolation requirement, contact tracing and processing, treatment, blood work and other monitoring tests required, drug interactions, side-effects, symptom management, adherence, directly observed therapy, x-ray and sputum follow-up, preventative treatment to ensure that case management and contact tracing is completed in accordance with the Provincial TB Program.
2. Provides treatment services to people diagnosed with active TB by methods such as reviewing incoming lab reports confirming active TB, assessing infectiousness of case, level of isolation required, and level of contact tracing indicated; prioritizing tested people to inform of confirmed active TB and communicating confirmed active TB to clients; providing clients with instructions, supportive counseling; and assisting clients understanding of disease and treatment with information and education, and providing referrals as required to control the spread.
3. Provides contact tracing recommendations for clients with active TB to ensure contact notification and documents adequate follow up by interviewing clients in person or by telephone to collect all available information regarding contact for a specific period of time; using information collected and investigative skills when information is limited to find named contacts; informing named contacts by telephone, in-person or by letter that they have been exposed to someone with active TB and what action is recommended, and ensuring that confidentiality is maintained at all times; and by following up with contacts to document testing and treatment.
4. Provides nurse consultation for the duration of treatment and follow-up after treatment completed and relays information and provides tools on conducting contact tracing; answering questions on diagnostic tools, testing, prevention, and process.
5. Follows up on results of contact screenings done by PHN’s in the Province.
6. Manages drug re-orders and enter all abnormal blood work in client file and consults with PHN regarding directions. Review all normal blood work and correspondence from the field.
7. Acts as a liaison between TB Services physician and PHNs by identifying issues that require physician expertise, obtaining the necessary information from PHNs and physicians in the field.
8. Provides continued support, education and direction to PHNs regarding TB outbreaks.
9. Provides out of province nurse consultation on behalf of TB Services.
10. Enters all out of province TBS information into client database and provides information and direction to PHNs in the appropriate Health Unit.
11. Maintains individual/family/client/records and necessary documentation according to the policies and procedures of TBC as well as the Standards of Practice set out by the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
12. Follows up on travel contacts identified by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and reports results of screening back to PHAC.
13. Provides and receives information from PHAC and Citizen Immigration Canada regarding contacts coming into or moving out of BC or the country, or contacts of active cases living out of country.
14. Provides telephone consultation for PHNs in the Province which may include interpretation of the TB Services physician’s narratives and provide PHNs with direction regarding narratives, answer general TB knowledge and TBC process questions, procedure for high risk screening (i.e. HIV+, renal disease, cancer, TNF requirements), interpretation of skin test in clients with low immune systems, provide results of chest x-rays and recommendations to PHNs via phone & fax, and immigration results and procedures.
15. Participates on working groups and committees.
16. Participates in program planning and research within the service line of Clinical Prevention Services by participating in quality and safety initiatives, accreditation and other PHSA initiatives. Providing input into research planning and implementing research activities and assisting in review of research results.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
• Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as an RN with the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
• Three (3) years’ experience in public health and two (2) years working in TB care, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Skills and Abilities
• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to apply case management principles.
• Demonstrated leadership, time management, organizational, teamwork and team building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to model and foster a positive, collaborative, and respectful team working environment.
• Demonstrated teaching, staff development, preceptor skills and ability to apply principles of adult education.
• Demonstrated ability to function as an effective leader, motivator, coach/mentor, and team member within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities, problem solve, adjust to new or unexpected events, and deal effectively with and/or guide others in resolution of conflict issues.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.