The Oncology/Hematology/BMT (Onc/Hem/BMT) Inpatient Unit is a 27-bed unit that provides care to infants, children and adolescents who require medical care for childhood cancers, complex blood disorders, and blood and marrow transplants. The Unit is the provincial referral center for childhood cancer and hematologic care, with patients who are undergoing the latest innovative and supportive treatments. As a clinical teaching site, the Onc/Hem/BMT unit hosts a wide variety of learners, including nurses, physicians, and allied health team members.
Nurses on the T8 Onc/Hem/BMT inpatient unit are responsible for care delivery, coordination, and discharge planning for their patients and may be required to facilitate the education of students/preceptors throughout their shifts.
Educational opportunities are offered within the unit and the larger health organization, including education to promote skill development, mentorship and leadership development. Program nurses progress through an educational pathway that includes pediatric Onc/Hem/BMT specialty courses, APHON chemotherapy/biotherapy certification, and pediatric BMT certification. BC Children’s Hospital provides specialized education in-house within new team members’ first two years on the unit.
Each nurse has 2-3 patients, depending on the acuity of the patients. Acutely ill patients may require 1:1 or 2:1 nursing care until their condition improves.
A master rotation schedule is used for automated vacation planning; however, all inpatient nurses have the flexibility of scheduling by following the self-scheduling guidelines.
There are many educational courses offered throughout orientation and on an ongoing basis. Educational opportunities include both unit specific education as well as site wide education, such as leadership and mentorship courses.
