Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)

REGISTERED PRACTICAL NURSE (RPN)

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: REGISTERED NURSE

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Registered Practical Nurse is responsible and accountable to the Registered Nurse for the provision of professional care to residents in accordance with the Compendium of Standards of Practice for Nurses in Ontario, and the direction, organization and supervision of the daily work routines of the PSW’s in accordance with the standards and criteria as outlined in the Ministry of Long Term Care, and the policies and procedures of Albright Manor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Within the established policies and procedures of Albright Manor, and the Standards of Practice as set forth by the College of Nurses of Ontario, and the Standards and Criteria as set forth by the Ministry of Long Term Care, the Registered Practical Nurse will:

• Provide professional leadership to those staff reporting to him/her within the assigned unit. This will include decision making and problem solving as appropriate; direction, delegation and assignment of duties/work routines, always putting residents first; staff orientation/training; participation in staff performance evaluations;
• Establish and maintain collegial relationships to promote team cohesiveness and ensure positive outcomes for residents/family, always ensuring that resident’s safety and well being come first
• Adhere to, direct, and supervise the staff in accordance with the established policies, procedures, and standards, covering infection control, health and safety; and internal/external emergencies;
• CompleTe all pertinent resident charting documentation, using the electronic records documentation system;
• Complete all pertinent resident charting documentation related to RAIMDS, as assigned by the RAI Co-ordinator and required by the Ministry of Long Term Care;
• Maintain confidentiality relating to any resident information obtained, at all times, and enforce the importance and practice of confidentiality and security of resident information with the staff;
• Provide direct care and daily monitoring of all residents experiencing acute episodes of biopsychosocial conditions, that is beyond the scope of practices of the PSW and document on the resident chart regarding the same;
• Consult with the Registered Nurse/Physician in all cases of uncertainty with respect to health status/condition of residents, and implement remedial health measures as may be delegated by the RN or Physician and/or make the necessary arrangements for transfer to hospital at the request of the RN or Physician;
• Report any and all changes in health status to the RN regarding those residents who are under active care of the RN;
• Document on the resident’s chart regarding all nursing observations and care;
• Ensure the safe and effective administration of medications to the residents always with the resident’s consent. This will include:
• Administration of all medications and related documentation with the exception of medications administered by means of intra muscular injection or intravenously; receive, transcribe all doctor’s orders and review same with RN before faxing to medical pharmacies;
• Order, receive, check, and store for safekeeping all medications and narcotics;
• Accurately prepare and maintain each resident’s medication administration record and treatment administration record; • immediate reporting of medication errors to the RN;
• Be responsible for the immediate day to day needs of every new resident admitted upon consultation and direction as provided by the Registered Nurse. This will include:
• An initial review of the resident’s chart;
• Provision of direction to the Personal Support Workers concerning the resident’s immediate and short term care plans including any family issues to ensure the resident’s needs are met in a timely manner;
• Participation in the initial multidisciplinary care conference and all subsequent care conferences where there has been a significant change in the biopsychosocial status of the resident; • charting as required and appropriate;
• Coordinate and participate in all subsequent regular annual multidisciplinary care conferences, where there has been no significant change in the biopsychosocial status of the resident, and document in all cases as required and appropriate;
• Develop and implement and monitor the effectiveness of resident care plans where the complexity of the presenting issue is within the scope and practice of the RPN, always addressing any uncertainties with the RN;
• Provide quality assurance activities and in consultation with the Registered Nurse implement continuous quality of service delivery improvements, within the parameters as established by the Chief Nursing Officer. This will include:
• On-going monitoring of staff to ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, and standards with respect to the delivery of care and services;
• Monitoring of meal times to ensure compliance with all meal practices as established jointly with the nursing and dietary department;
• Assignment of staff duties, breaks, to ensure maximum coverage of each resident home area at all times;
• Regular inspection(s) of the resident/staff environment including equipment and hazardous materials to ensure safe operation and storage, and cleanliness;
• On going teaching and supervision of PSW’s regarding their assigned tasks;
• Be familiar with each resident’s health care directives including resuscitation wishes;
• Maintain competency in, and perform CPR at a basic cardiac life
• Support level, in accordance with the resident’s health care directives;
• Monitor all residents for whom restraints have been implemented.
  • This will include:
  • Hourly evaluation and documentation;
  • Continuous collaboration with the Registered Nurse and the resident’s physician;
  • Safe application of restraint at all times; and participation in development of plans to reduce or eliminate the use of the restraint;
  • Comply with all aspects of the Manor’s Health and Safety programs including: the WHMIS Program, the Infection Control Program, the Waste Management Program, the First Aid Program, the Safe Handling of Residents Program, the Early Return to Work Program, and all Safe Operating Practices specific to the Nursing/Resident Care Department; and report all unsafe or unhealthy conditions, all accidents/illness; cooperate in health care treatment(s) and in all aspects of the early return to work/modified program; seek out first aid and comply with all work safety requirements;
  • Address all family concerns in a sensitive and timely manner, and report all unusual concerns or occurrences to the RN for further follow up; in the absence of the RN, be responsible for the implementation of the Manor’s fire safety plan procedures.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Exposure to pets, plants, perfumes, cleaning agents, dust, etc.;
• Unpredictable resident behaviour;
• Exposure to communicable diseases;
• Emotional impact in dealing with residents with deteriorating health.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Constant (67-100%,of shift): standing; walking;
• Frequent (34-66% of shift): lifting; pushing; pulling; neck motion; back motion; elbow motion; shoulder motion; gripping; twisting; bending/stooping; forward reaching;
• Occasional (0-33% of shift): carrying; wrist motion; crouching; reaching above/below shoulder, reaching backward.

QUALIFICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

• RPN Certificate and Current Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario;
• Possess interpersonal, creative problem solving, conflict resolution, and leadership skills;
• Read, write and understand to follow/carry out instructions in English independently;
• Ability to meet the required physical demands of the job as outlined in the physical demands analysis;
• Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance (current within the past 6 months);
• 2-Step TB Test (chest x-ray is acceptable as an alternative).

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience in geriatric nursing;
• Completion of a university/college course in geriatrics;
• Knowledgeable of requirements of College of Nurses of Ontario;
• Computer skills in resident administration/charting.
  

PROFICIENCY PERIOD: 450 Hours
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative sample of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.