Registered Practical Nurse (ongoing recruitment)

The Role

Delivers resident care, including the administration of non-judgmental medications (in collaboration with and under the direction of Registered Nurses at Sunnyside Home), and ensures resident care is provided in the absence of the Registered Nurse.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assesses the resident physically, including need for multidisciplinary assessment, safety risks and health teaching needs each shift.
• Provides resident care including all aspects of personal care such as nail care, bathing, dressing and toileting residents.  Serves resident meals and assists with feeding, as required, supervising in the dining room.
• Gives enemas and suppositories.
• Dispenses all non-judgmental medications, including scheduled narcotics (with the exception of injectable narcotic drugs). Tests Visual Blood Glucose (VBG) and gives insulin injections as ordered. Signs Medication Administration Record immediately upon dispensing medications. Adheres to College of Nurses medication standards.
• Ensures daily drug records are accurate and up-to-date. Ensures medication rooms and drug cart are clean and orderly.
• Administers “as necessary” (PRN) medications to residents on instructions of the Registered Nurse and documents appropriately according to policy.
• Participates in narcotic counts each shift, according to policy.
• Participates in rounds with the Home physician, with or without the Registered Nurse. Provides resident health status information to the Registered Nurse.  
• Prepares for and leads shift report with entire house team. 
• Makes arrangements for residents to take proper medications when away from the Home by giving instructions and the necessary prescription drugs, under the supervision of the Registered Nurse.  Documents appropriately.
• Ensures all physician orders, including medication orders, are processed according to policy and standards.  Keeps accurate day to day drug records.  Checks monthly Medication Administration Records (MARs) and medication quarterly summaries according to policy and standards.
• Participates in the preparation of the multidisciplinary care plan, individual to each resident. Involves resident and family in planning their health care goals, plans and objectives. Evaluates residents’ progress toward goals and updates care plan as it occurs with relevant, current, individual, multidisciplinary action items and goals.
• Provides professional nursing care to residents in accordance with physician’s orders, College of Nurses Standards, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Program Standards, and Regulated Health Professions Act.
• Provides safe, efficient, cost effective, professional nursing services.
• Promotes and provides appropriate resident and family health teaching, incorporating the restorative care model and philosophy.
• Maintains resident confidentiality. Maintains professional standards of practice, behaviour and appearance.
• Documents nursing and resident information daily, according to College of Nurses standards and policy.
• Assists with the completion of infection surveillance line listings in accordance with policy.
• Collects specimens from residents under the direction of the Registered Nurse.
• Performs clerical duties such as filing, answering the phone, or replacing staff, as required.
• Assists the Recreation Therapist with resident programs, under the direction of the Restorative Care Coordinator.  Actively participates in and encourages resident participation in recreational, restorative, and other resident program activities.  Transports residents to programs, meals, church, and various other events.  

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Assists with sorting laundry at the source and providing clean beds.  Makes resident beds, sorts and stores laundry and obtains supplies as required.
• Provides and documents dressings and other treatments in the Treatment Administration Record, in accordance with policy.
• In the absence of the Coordinator, Resident Care or Registered Nurse, assumes delegated responsibilities for the assigned unit.
• Reports changes in resident condition to the Registered Nurse.
• Assists in the orientation of new staff, students and volunteers.
• Upgrades skills by attending in-service programs, staff meetings, care conferences and seminars.  Reads and stays current with communication distributed.
• Participates in quality assurance programs such as data collection for performance indicators.
• When assigned to the part-time, weekend position, assists with recreational programs developed by the Recreation Therapist.  
• Performs other related duties, as assigned within the scope of Registered Practical Nurse practice as set out by the College of Nurses.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic knowledge, skill and judgment related to nursing methods and procedures as a Registered Practical Nurse with current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario and current gerontological nursing experience.
• A tuberculosis (TB) test and annual influenza immunization are required.
• Practices in support of the Restorative Care Philosophy with a focus on team work.
• Certification in medication administration from an approved community college.  Certification in advanced foot care techniques from an approved community college, or equivalent training and experience, or willingness to obtain within a reasonable time frame. 
• Knowledge of Regional policies and procedures established for Sunnyside Home as well as Standards of Nursing Practice (College of Nurses of Ontario), and Ministry of Health and Long Term Care standards.
• Human relations and communication skills in order to respond pleasantly and professionally to demands; to communicate effectively with staff, residents and families; to interact with and have a basic understanding of the geriatric population; and to participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to participate in the development of resident care plans, document on progress notes, medication records, requisitions, flow sheets, treatment records, and shift reports as delegated; to document nursing and resident information according to College of Nurses of Ontario standards of Practice and Home Policy; to transcribe medications orders, write reports, and complete forms.
• Ability to read policy and procedure manuals, medications information, and resident charts.
• Communicates in a clear and effective manner, orally and in writing
• Organizational skills to plan resident care.
• Ability to operate mechanical lifts and transfer devices in accordance with established policy.
• Must provide an acceptable Police Vulnerable Sector Check-Level 3. 
• Ability to travel to various locations within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization.