Description

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) shall, through the nursing process, determine and provide the professional care needed by the residents, while under the supervision of the Manager, Resident Care and the direction of the Registered Nurse. As part of the interdisciplinary team, the RPN contributes to the development, implementation and communication of the resident’s care plan and reports any substantial findings and/or changes in resident’s condition and actively contributes to solutions. The RPN provides high quality end of life care utilizing highly honed observation, assessment and communication skills. The RPN participates in the interdisciplinary team providing direction and supervision for the care given by the Personal Support Worker and Hospice Volunteers. In addition, the RPN will liaise with all other health care providers to develop and maintain a resident and family centered plan of care.

Requirements

Essential Responsibilities:
      Assume responsibility for all aspects of resident care in accordance with the Regulated Health Professionals Act and the College of Nurses of Ontario Practice Standards

      Act as the team leader when the RN is not available

      Determine if delegation of care to other members of the team (PSW and Hospice Volunteers) as required

      Participate in resident review and be available to assist visiting physicians or other members of the interdisciplinary team

      Monitors and assumes responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy environment

      Ensures all medications are processed and recorded according to legislative and regulative requirements, e.g., counting of opioids at shift change

      Other duties as required

Assessment:
      Performs physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and emotional assessment of the resident, including their families as appropriate, as determined by the residents’ individual needs

      Recognizes, assesses, and responds to resident health status changes

      Summarizes and reports clinical and other situations with other team members including shift report

      Acts upon reports of resident status change as received by other members of the team

Planning:
      Determines resident care requirements and establishes a comprehensive plan of care dependent on the goals of care

      Works collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team to determine the plan of care

      Consults with the residents, family members and/or the substitute decision maker regarding needs, wishes and preferences for care

Implementation:
      Implements and coordinates interventions in order to meet the goals of care as outlined in the treatment plan

      Ensures effective written and verbal communication to other service providers

      Administers medication and treatments as required/ordered, monitors for effectiveness and side effects

      Documents accurately and in a timely manner according to the College of Nurses Practice

Standard and Carpenter Hospice’s policy

      Identifies and reports unusual incidents in the delivery of care in the hospice to the Manager, Resident Care or clinical supervisor in a timely manner

      Delegates and /or teach skills and techniques to other staff and /or resident families in compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations

Evaluation:
      Reviews, evaluates and/or revises the care plan on an ongoing basis

      Evaluates nursing and medical interventions for effectiveness and ability to meet the goals of care

      Confers with residents and families re satisfaction with changes and goals of the plan of care

      Assists with the writing of clinical policy and procedure when asked

      Any other duties as assigned

      Other duties as required