Registered Nurse - Palliative Care Nursing
About the role
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:Practices in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nursing and Midwives (BCCNM) Standards (professional & practice) and code of ethics for a Registered Nurse. Practices within the scope of practice as set by the BCCNM, following VCH policies and guidelines/clinical practice documents and within own competence.Using a best practice approach, provides nursing care to achieve quality symptom management, goals of care conversations and/or end of life/palliative care to clients by assessing their needs, establishing care goals and initiating referrals to other interdisciplinary team members. Provides nursing support to community-based clients/families/caregivers who are receiving palliative care, facing complex physical, psychosocial, spiritual and/or practical difficulties arising from advanced progressive life-limiting illness. Plans and evaluates the care needs of clients with a life limiting illness by working independently in client’s community home setting and as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Assesses the client’s physiological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual needs and enhances quality of life from the perspective of the client/family. Promotes the palliative philosophy and approach to care. Demonstrates expertise and leadership in nursing practice by maintaining and advancing own clinical competence. Participates in ongoing palliative education and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Planetary Health. QUALIFICATIONS:Education & Experience Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).Two (2) years’ recent, related palliative care experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesDemonstrated skill in performing RN autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to palliative patient/client group.Demonstrated knowledge of best practices, pathophysiology and trajectory of disorder/disease related to common diagnosis and specific clinical situations related to area of practice (e.g. cancer, end stage cardiac, COPD, neurological disease such as ALS or MS, chronic renal disease, end stage liver disease, metabolic disorders, or HIV/AIDS, dementia, frailty).Demonstrated ability to provide nursing assessments and interventions related to common diagnosis and specific clinical situations relevant to the designated client/patient population.Demonstrated knowledge of approaches and systems in place (e.g. RPace, EPAIRS, MAID.)Comprehensive knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.General of knowledge Trauma Informed Practice and Harm Reduction approaches and Strengths-based care.Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safety care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.Demonstrated ability to perform focused secondary assessments, integrate information from a variety of sources including diagnostics and develop plan of care relevant to the designated patient/client group.Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated client group.Demonstrated ability to operate and maintain competency in the applicable equipment such as central venous access devices, chest tubes, catheters, drains and oxygen delivery equipment.Demonstrated skill in palliative symptom assessment and management. Demonstrated skill in conducting goals of care conversations, understanding the care goals and what is most important to the patient. Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.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.