WHO WE ARE
The Department of Nurse Practitioners has over 150 members across the Island Health region. Nurse Practitioner medical staff are employees of Island Health and BC Cancer, as well as independent contractors. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) work in a variety of settings including:
- Primary Care
- Mental Health
- Seniors Care
- Indigenous Healthcare
- Youth
- Specialty Roles
- Parkinson’s
- Geriatrics
- Long Term Care
- Acute Care
- Cancer Care
WHAT WE DO
An NP is an advanced practice nurse (APN) with education at master’s or doctoral level, integrating nursing education and advanced medical skills training. NPs can:
- Assess, diagnose, and treat health issues
- Refer to specialists
- Order medical imaging, bloodwork, and specialized tests
- Prescribe medications and write orders to be carried out by other healthcare providers
- Complete disability and extended health benefits forms
- Work as autonomous providers and with healthcare teams
Did you know?
- NPs can admit/discharge from facility and be the Most Responsible Practitioner (MRP)
- NPs can participate in on-call groups
- NPs practice autonomously without physician supervision
NP scope has broadened significantly with legislative and regulatory changes in the past decade allowing for:
- All controlled substance prescribing
- MAiD assessment/provision
- Certification under the Mental Health Act
- Advanced procedures
Department of Nurse Practitioners members work throughout the Island Health region. Chaundra Willms is the Department Head.
CONTACT US
Department Head, Nurse Practitioners
chaundra.willms@islandhealth.ca