DESCRIPTION

Job Summary:

The Registered Practical Nurse is responsible for the provision and management of client and family centered, evidence-based, efficient nursing care to individuals and families in their homes and community. The Registered Practical Nurse ensures care is provided within the framework of quality & risk management and the standards and scope of practice set by VON and the relevant provincial regulatory body. The Registered Practical Nurse is responsible for safe and appropriate teaching, assignment and delegation of tasks to different categories of workers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides nursing care to predictable clients who have less complex care needs via an established plan of care. When providing care to clients with more complex needs and unpredictable health outcomes, must consult with an RN (or other appropriate health care provider).
• Manages and facilitates care via an established nursing care plan and evaluate client responses to interventions.
• Provides cost-effective, organized, outcome directed care on an ongoing basis.
• Provides complete, relevant assessment of the client and family and their environment utilizing established procedures.
• Obtains relevant information for care from the client, family and appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Documents all relevant information clearly, concisely, accurately and appropriately according to VON standards.
• Describes and documents assessment findings utilizing established procedures. This includes the documentation of a client’s and family’s reaction to care.
• Documents problems identified using a specified framework and focuses care on appropriate problem areas utilizing established procedures.
• Contributes to clients’ care plans in collaboration with the health care team.
• Selects and implements strategies or interventions from established care plans in consultation with the client and/or caregiver and health care team.
• Documents and provides rational for modifications to the care plan, such as changes to the visit schedule.
• Negotiates with client and the family during delivery of care while respecting client choices.
• Incorporates current research findings into clinical practices.
• Provides rationale for referrals, increase or decrease in visits and for discharge based on relevant, sound data and established guidelines.
• Identifies and utilizes tools and resources for relevant work and manages these resources.
• Assigns care to other workers and involves the client and family in client care as appropriate.
• Refers clients to appropriate category of nursing care provider and to other disciplines utilizing established guidelines.
• Promotes client-directed care, self-care and independence through teaching.
• Shares clinical knowledge to enable clients, family and the community to make informed choices in determining health and service needs.
• Utilizes adult learning principals and established teaching materials to provide health teaching to clients and families.
• Promotes involvement of the client family in determining health and service needs.
• Participates in the development of heath policies and nursing practice standards through involvement in VON, professional organizations and community organizations.
• Practices in accordance with the quality and risk management framework of VON Canada and Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
• Plans, implements, evaluates and adjusts care in accordance with customer focused expectations by seeking input from clients to assure that service meets needs.
• Participates in decision making and follows up to promote continuous quality improvement.
• Functions in accordance with the VON policies, procedures and strategic direction of VON Canada.
• Collaborates with management staff and colleagues in the evaluation of own practice and maintains competence through continuing education and self-reflection.