The Role

Delivers safe, efficient, professional nursing care for clients in the Community Alzheimer Day Programs and Overnight Stay Program, including tasks within the scope of practice according to divisional interdisciplinary standards, College of Nurses Standards and the Regulated Health Professions. Supports clients with social recreational programming.

Supports care approaches that are evidence-informed, recognize the uniqueness of each person, put people before tasks, and support an awareness of one’s contribution to the relationship, including personal attitudes, values, and actions.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Works as part of an interdisciplinary team to create a caring, person-centred environment where people feel listened to and cared about.
• Uses a biopsychosocial lens to assess clients and understand their physical, cognitive, and social needs and risks, including multidisciplinary assessments from internal and external team members. Completes and documents assessments per policy, provides information to supervisor and other team members, makes referrals to other disciplines as appropriate, and provides directions for care.
• Complies with privacy and confidentiality policies and practices as outlined by the College of Nurses, organizational policies, and any other applicable legislative requirements.
• Leads the development of service plans, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary health care team both internal (e.g., recreation staff) and external (e.g. physiotherapist, speech/language pathologist etc.), clients, and their care partners. Maintains, monitors, and evaluates service plans, including action items and goals. Communicates service plans (including changes) to staff.
• Communicates verbally and in writing with staff, health care partners, and others regarding any changes to client needs. Ensures follow up is in place and the supervisor is aware of changes.
• Administers medication for the day and overnight stay program. Complies with best practices and requirements as set forth in the College of Nurses Standards and regulated health care professions Act. Follows physician orders as received and creates the Medication Administration Record for participants in the Day Program and Overnight Stay.
• Ensures the safekeeping of medication, nursing/medical supplies, and the medications cart while dispensing medication to clients. Ensures nursing equipment (e.g., mechanical lifts, pagers, phones, glucometers) are properly maintained and secured. Ensures medical supplies are ordered according to quotas. Ensures medications and supplies are properly dated and medications left by clients are disposed.
• Assists with the admission and discharge process for participants in both day and overnight programs, including preparing client information sheets for filing.
• Assists with recreational programming. Uses a person-centered approach to engage client participation in recreational, restorative, and other program activities.
• Ensures client safety and wellbeing at all times and conducts regular rounds for safety, assessments, and general overseeing of care.
• Provides personal care for clients alongside other team members to ensure the safety and well-being of clients (e.g., nail care, bathing, enemas and suppository, dressing, toileting).
• Encourages meaningful, relaxed, social mealtimes for clients and team members. Serves meals and assists as required, including supervising in the dining room. Assists in feeding and monitoring dietary compliance as required. Completes meal orders and maintains diet lists.
• Provides client and care partner health teaching, education, and support, incorporating person-centered approaches.
• Maintains infection control precautions and provides leadership in ensuring infection control precautions are in place per policy and/or direction.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs clerical duties (e.g., filing, faxing, photocopying, answering phone, booking appointments and transportation).
• Provides on-the-job training, orientation, preceptor duties, and demonstrates and explains procedures to other staff, students, and volunteers as directed. Leads positive, person-centred shift reports. Models meaningful, person-centred care (e.g., environment, mealtime experience, meaningful and purposeful activities).
• Provides guidance to PSWs and recreation staff as it relates to client care, and to Supported Living Assistants as needed.
• Maintains professional competence by participating in in-service programs, staff meetings, care conferences, and seminars. Reads and stays current with communications distributed.
• Participates in quality assurance programs such as data collection and a variety of audits for performance indicators as required.
• Provides assistance, guidance, and support to Supported Living Assistant staff during weekends and off-business hours.
• Plans and prioritizes own work on the unit to deliver appropriate nursing care. Reports unusual occurrences to the Supervisor or RN but deals immediately with emergency situations before reporting. Has regular contact with the Supervisor and Manager for issues related to staffing, clients, policy interpretation, and approvals. Completes incident reports and notifies families of incidents.
• Performs related duties as assigned within the scope of practice set out by the College of Nurses.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must hold a current Certificate of Registration as a Registered Practical Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario. Knowledge of the nursing process and nursing theory.
• Must have recent related gerontological nursing experience, and recent related experience working with individuals living with advanced dementias in a community or designated setting.
• Must have certification in medication administration from an approved community college.
• Must have current CPR certification, tuberculosis (TB) test, and required immunization(s).
• Ability to demonstrate compassion, validate emotions, support dignity, and promote understanding of those attending programs or receiving care and those living with dementia.
• Human relations and communication skills to interact pleasantly and professionally with clients, care partners and other health care providers, engage individuals using positive language to support emotional wellbeing, and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to provide non-judgmental inclusive service to clients.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and related legislation and standards (e.g., College of Nurses Standards, Regulated Health Professionals Act, health and safety, privacy).
• Knowledge of best practices in care for individuals with physical and cognitive/mental health needs, such as current training in PIECES, Montessori, and/or Gentle Persuasive Approach.
• Ability to read and understand policy and procedure manuals, medication information, and client charts and use data to provide education/consultation to clients and health professionals.
• Ability to write clearly using appropriate format and language for reports, clinical records, medication orders, client care plans, and progress notes per College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Practice and policy.
• Organization, problem-solving, and time management skills to plan client care, handle and resolve issues presented (e.g., behavioural); organize supplies and schedule; and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to operate medical equipment including oxygen administration, mechanical lifts, and transfer devices per policy and ensure others use same per policy.
• Computer skills with ability to use Microsoft Office, electronic records (e.g., Point-Click Care) and Internet-based searching and networking.
• Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector police check.
• Ability to work day, evening, night, weekend, and statutory holiday shifts and call-in hours.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.