Team Leader (Resident Care)

The Role

Ensures that the complex physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs of residents are met in an interdisciplinary environment with a resident focused approach and within a restorative model of care; to ensure 24 hour clinical and administrative operation of assigned resident home areas in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Practice, the Long Term Care Facilities Program Standards, and the Accreditation standards; to coordinate effective multi-disciplinary team function to best meet the needs of residents.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Coordinates resident care through an interdisciplinary team, including Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Personal Support Workers, Food Services Assistants, Resident Home Assistants, and Unit Clerks.
• Assesses health status and completes a written, individualized plan of care for each resident, as assigned. Continues to assess residents' health status on an ongoing basis and institutes appropriate medical health care measures, as required.  Monitors documentation for each resident, including the initial assessment, quarterly care plan, master profile, and ongoing progress notes, to ensure it is current; provides recommendations for improvement of documentation.
• Ensures coordination of multi-disciplinary care for residents, including providing direction concerning resident and family issues.  Acts as resident advocate.  Communicates information about resident care needs to internal and external agencies, staff, volunteers, families, and students, including information about assessments, education needs, treatment/intervention, and evaluation of resident outcomes.  Ensures appropriate positive communications with families and/or designated decision makers.  Ensures all related standards are met.
• Provides Coordinator, Resident Care with input into matters of resident care and makes recommendations for changes in nursing practices, policies and procedures.  Makes recommendations to other managers for changes in support services practices which impact on residents.
•  Administers medications as necessary.  Approves the use of as necessary "PRN" medications.  Informs resident and/or family of any change in medication, its uses and side effects.  Ensures pharmacy and medication policies and procedures are followed.  Ensures correct procedures for handling and control of medications are followed by all registered staff.  Works collaboratively with Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in checking medication administration records and the quarterly medication reviews.
• Coordinates weekly physician's rounds, monthly care conferences, and clinics.  Ensures admission and annual medical assessments are completed.
• Provides health education related to residents’ specific conditions and care required to residents, family members, students, staff, and others.
• Provides input into screening and approving admission applications in conjunction with Coordinator, Admissions & Social Work and Coordinator, Resident Care.  Performs admission, discharge, and transfer functions in the absence of these incumbents.
• Provides direct resident care, as required, including complex treatments, feeding, and assessments.
• Reports infection control issues to the Coordinator, Staff Education & Infection Control or Director, Resident Care.  In the absence of these incumbents, notifies Public Health.
• Schedules, notifies appropriate participants, and chairs multi-disciplinary team meetings and care conferences.  Arranges and chairs staff meetings jointly with the Coordinator, Resident Care, as required.
• Investigates family, resident, and volunteer complaints; consults with Coordinator, Resident Care as required; takes corrective action to ensure appropriate interventions; and prepares appropriate documentation.
• Participates in educational courses, workshops, or in-service presentations as required to ensure continued professional growth and development.  Acts as a mentor to multi-disciplinary team members and encourages continued individual staff development and team development.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Assists the Coordinator, Resident Care in the collection of quality assurance audit data and in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives.
• Participates on and/or chairs various committees, such as Accreditation Care Teams or Resident Care Clinical Teams.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of resident care and gerontological nursing, psycho-geriatric and palliative care, long term care, and community resources, normally acquired through the attainment of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing or equivalent, and current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Nurse, plus current gerontological nursing experience.
• A tuberculosis (TB) test and annual influenza immunization are required.
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures, applicable standards and legislation, including Occupational Health and Safety Act, Mental Health Act, Home for the Aged Act, Long Term Care Program standards of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, and other related standards and legislation, such as housekeeping and food services standards.
• Assessment, analytical, and problem solving skills to plan and develop objectives, including administrative, technical, operational components normally acquired through a certificate program in management.  Ability to organize and coordinate staff activities to achieve established goals and objectives.
• Human relations and leadership skills to lead a multi-disciplinary team; provide advice and guidance; model positive, professional behaviour; motivate team members to work together to achieve a level of care that is in the best interests of the resident; tactfully communicate pertinent resident care information to families, physicians and other multi-disciplinary team members; communicate clearly with staff and volunteers; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret various journals, charts, memorandums, reports, resident files, policy and procedure manuals, collective agreements, and staff schedules. Ability to develop individual resident care plans and to revise plans as required; as well as to compose and write progress reports, letters, minutes, and performance appraisals.
• Computer skills using software such as Point Click Care and Microsoft Word.
• Ability to work weekends and some flexibility in work schedule is required.
• Must provide an acceptable Police Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3).
• Ability to support and project the Region’s values.