What does our team offer?

Chronic Disease Management

Unlike a nurse that you might see for one shift, or a few days, nurses who care for people living with chronic diseases spend more time with their patients, and have the opportunity to build relationships

The CRPCN’s chronic care nurses are system navigators – as likely to get you a referral to a dietitian or foot care specialist, as they are to recommend a class on quitting smoking, or to figure out where you can go to get your lab work done. They are experts at guiding you through the maze that is our health care system, to ensure the best health outcomes for patients with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, stroke, chronic wounds, or general chronic disease

Chronic care nurses work closely with family doctors around the preparation of chronic care plans. Through planned visits, a patient registry, drug intensification protocols, and collaboration with other members of the team, our nurses helps ensure the best possible medical outcomes.

Certified Diabetes Educators

Our Certified Diabetes Educators see patients one-on-one for education with:
  • managing blood sugars to manage diabetes and prevent complications.
  • administering their insulin or other injectable medications
  • knowledge of how their medications work
  • support with healthy lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and setting goals for activity
Since diabetes is a long-term condition requiring the patient’s day-to-day self-care, educators help by:
  • empowering patients to learn to self-manage their diabetes
  • collaborating with physicians and other team members for patient care
  • acting as an advocate for the patient with their physician
Educators teach about the importance of nutrition, weight management, monitoring, medication, regular doctor visits, yearly eye and foot exams – all of which are so important in preventing complications.

Social Workers

Social Workers help people in every stage of life - children to seniors - enjoy full, active, creative lives.

They are skilled professionals who provide a confidential place for people to share their concerns, understand or see a problem differently, or deal with issues, such as:

  • Addictions
  • Relationship conflict
  • Parenting
  • Abuse
  • Bullying
  • Grief and loss
  • Chronic disease
  • Mental health
  • Employment
  • Finances
  • Housing
Things don’t always go according to plan. Social Workers provide emotional and practical support to assist patients and their families to cope in difficult and unexpected circumstances

Social Workers are your link to community resources and services. If you have concerns about employment, income, illness, domestic violence – or any other issues, social workers assist over a broad range of issues.

Youth Counsellor

Our counsellors offer 1:1 mental health sessions for young people aged 6-24, who feel they need additional support. Sessions can focus on topics such as anxiety, depression, bullying, family changes and transitions, self-esteem, social skills, and so much more. Counsellors work collaboratively with parents and guardians to ensure youth are supported at home, and in a clinical setting. All sessions are tailored to meet the individual needs of the youth, to ensure they are getting the best support possible.

Family Counsellors

When young people and their families experience challenges and stressors all aspects of their lives can be impacted. Having an objective person to listen, sort through the problem, advocate and help find a way forward is helpful.

The CRPCN’s Family Counsellors offer short-term counselling, consultation, specialized referrals and support for young people (ages 7-17), who are experiencing mental health difficulties. An initial assessment with 5-6 counselling sessions is aimed at empowering the young person and their families with the skills necessary to heal. Parenting support and education, as well as collaboration with other providers involved with the family, are all offered to provide the best support and a holistic approach.

24-hour Blood Pressure Monitoring

Do you ever wonder how your blood pressure responds to your activities throughout the day? We offer 24-hour blood pressure monitoring program at CRPCN clinics

Many studies have now confirmed that blood pressure measured over a 24-hour period is superior to clinic blood pressure in predicting future cardiovascular events. This is a non-invasive method of obtaining blood pressure readings over a 24-hour period, while you are in your own environment, representing a true reflection of your blood pressure

You'll attend two appointments, 24 hours apart. In the first, you are fitted with a monitor by one of our nurses who specializes in 24-hour BP monitoring. Then, you'll go about your daily activities for the next 24 hours, recording your activity. When you return for your second appointment, the monitor is removed. The results are downloaded and sent to your family doctor.

Foot Care

Problems with feet can be the first sign of more serious medical conditions, particularly among older adults. Health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve issues, and circulatory disorders, may first be manifested in the feet. So, it’s important to pay attention to your feet and seek medical attention as soon as you notice a problem

If left untreated, small cuts and sore spots on the feet can lead to more serious infections. Foot ulcers (open wounds on the feet) are common among senior citizens who fail to notice minor foot injuries early on. Reduced nervous sensation and circulation in the feet mean that the feet need to be inspected visually

Our foot care services are administered by qualified LPNs, and include:

  • Callous and/or corn reduction
  • Nail cutting and filing for those with complications that make it unsafe or impossible for them to do it themselves (for example: nerve damage due to diabetes, dementia, arthritis, etc.)
  • Examining for potential issues
  • Education regarding ongoing foot care, proper footwear, etc.

Healthy feet are essential to continued mobility and independence!

Data Quality Team

Our data quality team supports our physicians and nurse practitioners with:

  • measuring number of patients treated,
  • improving work flow processes in physician offices, and
  • advancing information technology.

A goal is to ensure doctors have “clean panels.” A panel is the list of patients under a physician’s care. Clean panels mean that doctors have identified the patients whose care they are responsible for, and clinics can use the electronic medical record (EMR) to provide proactive care for patients. This could mean identifying care gaps and addressing them. Care gap examples are a 55-year-old woman failing to have a mammogram for four years, or a diabetes patient who is overdue for a foot or eye exam.

Community Development Coordinator

Our success lies not just in the work we do in our clinics, but the work we do in our communities

Community development is just that - “community” plus “development.” The community itself engages in initiatives aimed at developing and improving their community

Our Community Development Coordinators work to increase positive community connections, develop networks of support, and build engagement opportunities for community members, alongside partner organizations. They help communities work on initiatives that contribute to health and wellness, focusing on four key areas: Early Childhood Development, Seniors, Physical Activity & Nutrition; and, Mental Health. As a couple of examples, our Community Development Coordinators were instrumental in the creation of an Older Adults Resource Handbook in Chestermere, and a Youth network in Wheatland County

Our Community Development team helps drive us towards our Vision, which is Optimal health in our communities.