Registered Practical Nurse, Women's Health Care Centre

The Registered Practical Nurse in the ambulatory Obstetrics, Gynecology/Urogynecology/Colposcopy clinics within St. Michael's Hospital's Women's Health Care Centre will provide exemplary patient and family centered care in partnership with gynecology and obstetric patients within an Interprofessional Collaborative Model of Care, in order to best meet the needs, values, and preferences of patients and their families. As a member of the team, the Registered Practical Nurse applies practical nursing theory in the assessment of patients, development of the nursing care plan in collaboration and partnership with the patient, family and entire interprofessional team, implementation of the care plan and ongoing evaluation of the patient.

This position will support needs in both our OB and Gyne Clinics with variation of assignment from week to week depending on operational needs.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Performs relevant initial and ongoing nursing assessments using appropriate sources specific to the clinical practice setting.
• Provides nursing care that supports clinical goals, patients needs and flow, appropriate to the obstetrics and gynecology population including supporting procedures, administering IM injections etc..
• Documents and communicates pertinent patient information in a timely manner.
• Ensures patient and family needs, values and preferences guide clinical decision making and are integrated into care planning.
• Recognizes deviation from normal health status; communicates assessment to the Registered Nurse and/or other appropriate interprofessional team members and takes appropriate action as required.
• Collaborates with the interprofessional team to develop the plan of care in partnership with the patient and their family.
• Identifies patient's learning and transition planning needs and communicates this to the interprofessional team including Charge Nurse/Team Leader.
• Coordinates patient care/services with the appropriate interprofessional team members.
• Independently provides nursing care to stable, predictable patient populations with low risk of negative outcomes, in a safe, competent, and ethical manner.
• Provides accurate and consistent patient teaching in a flexible and creative manner and supports the learning mandate of the organization working with learners
• Maintains an accurate account of care given through clear and concise verbal communication and written/electronic documentation.
• Processes orders and seeks verification of orders from the ordering physician, nurse practitioner or other health care provider if needed.

The RPN has 4 key areas of responsibility:

Patient Care:

• Accurately and efficiently acquires information to assess patient care and learning needs;
• Documents observations, assessments and care provision in a timely manner to facilitate a current and accurate record of the patient's status and enable effective inter-professional communication;
• Engages patients and families to assess the level of involvement of the patient/family in their care and integrates into care planning;
• Develops a plan of care and integrates nursing activities with other inter-professional activities;
• Engages in critical inquiry and reflection to select evidence-based interventions;
• Organizes nursing care based on patient care needs and priorities;
• Continuously gathers and analyzes clinical and other relevant data to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care and adjusts the plan as needed;
• Anticipates and recognizes rapidly changing situations; and a patient's transition from stable to unstable, establishes priorities; and takes immediate appropriate action to collaborate and consult with the Registered Nurse;
• Provides health education using effective teaching strategies that takes into account the patient/family's learning needs, readiness, and motivation to learn;
• Collaborates with appropriate team members on patient care needs;
• Processes orders and seeks verification of orders from prescribers;
• Contributes to discharge and transition planning and other planning activities to facilitate care continuity and coordination; advocates for care needs to be met in most appropriate setting;
• Participates in daily/weekly/monthly equipment and supply checks;
• Cleans and stocks examination rooms with required supplies.

Collaboration & Coordination

• Organizes patient care activities while working collaboratively with patients, families and the inter-professional team to achieve agreed-upon outcomes and optimize resource utilization for individual patients.
• Establishes and maintains respectful, collaborative, therapeutic and inter-professional relationships within and across the program/ hospital units (and externally where appropriate for his/her patient population).
• Coordinates and communicates patient care activities for a safe and seamless transfer of accountability from one care provider to another.
• Participates in program/organizational committees and other groups to represent the RPN perspective and serve as a bridge to the clinic/program and patient needs.

Leadership & Professional Development

• Is accountable for his/her actions and decisions and practices in accordance with professional, legal and accreditation standards and evidence-based practice.
• Aligns behavior with Unity Health Toronto's vision, mission and values and code of conduct; promotes nursing as a knowledge-based profession; and, supports the advanced of professional practice plans and initiatives.
• Engages in self-reflection, performance review and ongoing learning.
• Participates in mentoring, teaching and /or coaching students, co-workers and other regulated and unregulated health professionals.
• Embraces change that leads to improved nursing practice and better patient outcomes.
• Advocates for a safe and healthy work environment.

Research

• Participates in or supports research projects
• Supports and participates in evidence based practice implementation and quality improvement initiatives

Qualifications:

Education

• Successful completion of a Practical Nursing Diploma Program.
• Current BLS/CPR Certificate required.
• Fetal Health Surveillance certification preferred, or willing to complete within 3 months of hire
• Health assessment course essential
• Currently registered as a Registered Practical Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario

Required Experience

• Recent Obstetrics/Gynecology experience required
• Recent ambulatory nursing experience preferred

Required Skills/Competencies

• Excellent physical assessment skills, critical thinking skills and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, summarize and document assessment data in an accurate, concise and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated understanding and champion of patient and family centered care.
• Demonstrated ability to practice in a self directed way, organize patient care demands and set priorities in a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and educate patient and family.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing education and professional development.
• Excellent computer skills (electronic health record, MS Outlook, intranet) .
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within an interprofessional team as well as independently.
• Must have an excellent attendance record.

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.