We are currently seeking RNs, LPNs and Unit Clerks for casual positions.  Please e-mail your resumé to Linda Cliff, or mail it to Linda Cliff, Manager of Nursing Services, Victoria Hospice, 1952 Bay Street, Richmond Pavilion, Victoria, BC  V8R 1J8.

Our Nursing Staff: We have one full-time Manager of Nursing Services, one Community Response Coordinator, one Clinical Resource Nurse, and a mixed staff of full- and part-time Registered Nurses (RNs) on our in-patient unit and Palliative Response Team (PRT) who work with patients and families in their homes. In addition, we have a complement of full-time and part-time Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who work on our unit. Our nursing care is a form of combined total care and team nursing.

What Kind of Nurses Are We Looking For? A Victoria Hospice nurse has a dedicated palliative care focus. Ideally, we look for nurses with a minimum of two years of medical/surgical experience and an additional two years in a palliative care program. Oncology care is an asset. Our PRT nurses have direct care experience in a palliative care program and/or community health.

Staff/Patient Ratio: We have a mix of 17 acute care and long term care patients divided among three staffing teams. On day shift teams, we have three RNs and two LPNs for 17 patients, plus one RN who works a flexible workload shift between the unit and PRT.

Nursing Rotation & Staffing: Full-time nurses work extended hour shifts averaging two days, two nights and five days off. Part-time nurses work a combination of day and night blocks with rotating days off.

Available Team Support: Onsite Nurse Manager, Clinical Resource Nurse, full-time unit counsellor, full-time Hospice Physician coverage, full-time Spiritual Care Coordinator, occupational, recreational and physiotherapists, music therapist, dietary support, and daily unit volunteer support from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Orientation for New Nurses: In addition to the Vancouver Island Health Authority’s staff orientation program, we offer four days of classroom orientation followed by two day/two night buddy shifts.

Other Nursing Opportunities at Victoria Hospice: Once clinical competence is established, casual and part-time RNs who express interest in and have an affinity for crisis-oriented community work may be trained for our Palliative Response Team, a challenge that offers diversity in the workplace within the organization. We encourage our clinical staff with an interest in teaching to participate in educational opportunities through our Victoria Hospice Education Services department.

We pride ourselves in being a learning organization so we encourage and support continuing education of our nurses. Victoria Hospice does its own staffing, so nurses may elect to work exclusively with us, or to be shared with other hospital departments.