Job Description

Your Opportunity:
As part of an inter-professional Palliative Care Consult Service, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides an advanced level of nursing practice that maximizes the application of in-depth nursing theory, knowledge and skills in meeting the complex palliative health care needs of individuals, families and communities. The CNS functions as an advanced practice palliative care nurse consultant, nursing practice leader, expert practitioner, educator, and contributes to quality improvement and research initiatives. The CNS is responsible for the advancement of palliative care activities at RGH and works collaboratively with colleagues across other sites of service. Responsibilities include Clinical Practice and Consultation, Education, Program Planning, Change Leadership and involvement with policy evaluation and development related to advanced nursing care and health systems involving Palliative Care. Clinically, the CNS will provide consultation and support to patients, families and attending teams regarding the management of adult patients with complex palliative symptoms and/or issues related to their life limiting illness. Areas of focus include palliative pain and symptom management, psychosocial and spiritual concerns, education regarding disease progression and the end of life, prognosis and goals of care, accessing community resources and transitioning to hospice. The CNS works collaboratively with their Palliative Care physician colleagues and with all members of the patients' attending team to provide high quality palliative consultation. The CNS also provides leadership and consultative direction to initiatives focused on building a 'seamless' continuum of care, improving access, and enhancing palliative and end of life care of patients across all sites and sectors.
Description:
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), you will provide an advanced level of nursing practice that maximizes the application of in-depth nursing theory, knowledge and skills in meeting the complex health care needs of individuals, families and communities. You will function as a nursing practice leader, consultant, expert practitioner, educator and researcher within a clinical specialty area. You will balance various roles depending upon the needs of the patient population and the healthcare team, collaborating on the provision of holistic and comprehensive care. You will play a key role in providing safe, quality patient and family centered care while reflecting the shared vision and values of AHS.

Transition Company:

Assisted Living Alberta

Classification:

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Union:

United Nurses of Alberta

Unit and Program:

Palliative Care Consult Service - Acute Care CNS Consutant

Primary Location:

Rockyview General Hospital

Location Details:

As Per Location

Multi-Site:

At (UNA only)

FTE:

1.00

Posting End Date:

25-SEP-2025

Temporary Employee Class:

Temp F/T Benefits

Date Available:

05-JAN-2026

Temporary End Date:

15-JAN-2027

Hours per Shift:

7.75

Length of Shift in weeks:

4

Shifts per cycle:

19

Shift Pattern:

Days

Days Off:

Saturday/Sunday

Minimum Salary:

$49.69

Maximum Salary:

$68.01

Vehicle Requirement:

Not Applicable

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in Nursing. 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).

Additional Required Qualifications:

Master's Degree (MN with palliative specialization) required. 3-5 years minimum of full time equivalency of clinical experience relevant to palliative care within Acute Care, Community, and Hospice environments required. Experience as an advanced practice palliative nurse in a consultant role required. 5-7 years acute care clinical experience required. Ability to work well independently and as part of an interprofessional team required. Demonstrated skills as an educator, innovator and change agent required. Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication required. Demonstrated leadership, organizational skills required. Computer literacy skills. Ability to manage competing priorities, multiple interruptions, and difficult conversations required - which may include emotionally stressed situations involving patients, family members and attending teams. Must be able to walk approximately 3-5 km/day within the acute care site.

Preferred Qualifications:

CNA - Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Nursing certification CHPCN(C) Completion of the Serious Illness Conversation Workshop. Completion of the How to Care, What to Say Workshop Completion GoC/ACP training Completion of Pallium LEAP Core