Registered Practical Nurse jobs in Canada

Job Title: RPN – Visiting

Department/Group: Operations

Location: Ontario

Reporting To: Nurse Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The visiting Registered Practical Nurse is responsible for providing 24-hour care to approximately 1-12 patients per day in their homes. As a member of a self-directed nursing team, the nurse drives from home to home and usually provides 0.5 to 2.0 hours of nursing care to the patients. This care is delivered in accordance with the standards of the nursing agency, the LHIN and the College of Nurses. The below noted tasks are to be completed in a manner which builds the business and meets the strategic needs of the organization.

• Patient Care: Functions as a member of an empowered nursing team that is accountable for the nursing care it provides, in accordance with current professional legislation and the guidelines and standards set out by the College of Nurses.
• Makes home visits by car to patients with care requirements appropriate to an RPN level as defined by the College of Nurses.
• Utilizes the patient assignment list, patient nursing needs, patient preferences and patient location to plan the day’s schedule of nursing visits.
• Ensures that all of the equipment and supplies required to deliver the patient’s care will be available when the nursing visit is made.
• Assumes responsibility for on call on a rotating basis and responds to pages promptly and appropriately. Utilizes the nursing process to provide individualized nursing care for each patient.

• Care Plan: Performs a thorough holistic assessment of each patient and identifies the patient’s needs utilizing information from the patient, caregiver(s), the home environment, the LHIN referral and other sources.
• Develops appropriate time-specific, measurable goals and outcomes in collaboration with the patient and/or caregiver(s), and in keeping with the LHIN goal for treatment.
• Develops a comprehensive plan of care that reflects research-based nursing principles, patient-centered goals and outcomes, and the physician’s orders.
• Identifies when the patient’s care requirements exceed the RPN’s scope of practice and, when appropriate, consults with an RN or informs the visiting RN of the need to assume responsibility for the patient’s care.
• Implements the nursing care plan in accordance with the policies and procedures of the nursing agency, ensuring that the plan of care promotes fiscal responsibility and patient empowerment.
• Utilizes effective teaching skills to promote patient decision-making and independence.
• Evaluates the patient’s response to treatment and revises the care plan and goals as necessary in consultation with the patient, caregiver, visiting Registered Nurse, physician and/or LHIN Case Manager.

• Documentation and Communication: Documents the assessment, goals and outcomes, nursing care plan, the care provided and the patient’s response using the documenting policies and procedures set out by the agency.
• Communicates with the LHIN according to its standards.
• Collaborates with other health care team members to develop a comprehensive plan of care for multiservice patients and participates in multi-disciplinary conferences as required.
• Regularly attends monthly team meetings and in-services.
• Demonstrates initiative by continually upgrading nursing scope of knowledge and skills through attendance at courses and workshops and reading of professional journals.
• Actively promotes and participates in the agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement Program.

• Accreditation process and Health and Safety Program: May elect to sit on one or more of these committees as a staff representative. Supports patient safety by practicing according to policy and standards. Participates in patient safety related education. Reports events where patient safety has been compromised and works with management to develop solutions to prevent similar events.

• Works independently while attending to patients
• Abides by CNO guidelines

• Effort (Mental & Physical): Genuine warmth and compassion that are immediately evident to the patient/family are essential.
• The ability to analyze information critically, make decisions independently, collaborate effectively and manage time well is required.
• A high stress level due to the acuity of patient conditions, conflicting demands, odd hours and limited resources is always present.
• The ability to drive in good and bad weather and the ability to walk long laneways in heavy winter conditions is essential.
• Nurses carry a bag containing nursing equipment and resource material that can weigh up to 20 pounds.
• Nursing care is often performed at less-than-ideal height; back muscles are often challenged and kneeling is a common position for care delivery.
• Lifting and moving of patients is frequently required but is performed with assistance or mechanical aids if the patient is heavy.
• Excellent manual dexterity is mandatory, as many tasks require above-average fine motor skills.
• Communicating using multiple electronic devices (i.e. phone, email, fax, computer portal, pager).

• General Working Conditions: Work will require weekend and/or evening work. As a result, high speed internet access is required. Occasional travel beyond service delivery area may be required. Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals. May be exposed to infectious waste, disease, conditions, etc. The nurse travels by car to patient homes, schools and places of employment to deliver nursing care. Delivers nursing care in the patient’s environment which offers a wide range of conditions in terms of temperature, noise, lighting, smell and cleanliness. Required to deliver care 24 hours per day.

• Use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the Employer requires to be used.
• Report safety hazards to the supervisor and not proceed with unsafe activity until safe alternatives are provided.
• Attend safety training as required.
• Apply safety techniques and processes as trained.
• Participate in Joint Health and Safety Committee’s undertakings.
• Request further information and training if safety training is unclear or confusing.
• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, legislation and best practices.

ENSURE THAT WE COLLABORATE WITH PATIENTS AND FAMILY ON RELEVANT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES. FOSTER A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT BY UTILIZING THE PDSA MODEL FOR IMPROVEMENT AS OUTLINED IN THE QUALITY AND SAFETY PLAN. ENSURE THAT IMPROVEMENT IS ALIGNED WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES

ENSURE THAT WE COLLABORATE WITH PATIENTS AND FAMILY ON RELEVANT SAFETY INITIATIVES. RECOGNIZE THAT ERRORS ARE INEVITABLE AND THAT EVERY PERSON IN THE ORGANIZATION IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO ERROR. RECOGNIZE THAT ERROR REPRESENTS LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. ENCOURAGE REPORTING OF SAFETY CONCERNS. ESCALATING AND COMMUNICATING SAFETY CONCERNS AS APPROPRIATE

• Required Qualifications (formal training experience/special skills): Graduate of an approved Registered Practical Nursing program.
• Current College of Nurses RPN Certificate of Competence.
• Proven computer skills, including e-mail, word processor, work scheduling systems.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both oral and written form and must be fluent in English.
• Two years recent acute care/community-based nursing experience, ability to initiate peripheral IVs and experience with central lines are all recommended.

• Valid driver’s license, own vehicle and appropriate insurance