POSITION: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
DEPARTMENT: Nursing
RESPONSIBLE TO: RN-Charge Nurse and Director of Clinical Services
Under the direction and supervision of the Supervising RN, the LPN the provides resident focused, holistic care, within an interdisciplinary team consistent with the Mission, Vision, Values and philosophy of care of the RK Mac Donald Nursing Home. Within the LPN Scope of Practice, the LPN is accountable for the coordination and delivery of quality nursing and personal care on the care team. Through the use of the nursing process, therapeutic relationships, and collaboration, the LPN delivers, oversees, and participates in the planning, implementation, evaluation, and modification of resident care to medically stable and predictable residents. Every employee of the RK Mac Donald Nursing Home has a responsibility to be involved in providing a stimulating environment for the residents and to serve as a positive role model; as a partner in the provision of care and support of our Residents, and to represent the home in a positive, professional, efficient and confidential manner.
Key Responsibilities
To deliver Safe, Competent Personal Care: Responsible to deliver resident focused care within the full scope of practice of an LPN, in a home-like environment respecting the individuality and dignity of each resident and family
- Performs the responsibilities of the position within the legislative and regulatory standards set out by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Nova Scotia
- Demonstrates a clear understanding that this facility is the Home of our Residents and we have been honored with the privilege of being invited to participate in the delivery of care to meet their needs
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of the recognition of the vulnerability of the resident and their family as they entrust themselves to our care
- Required to be are aware of, participate in the development of and follow the Registered Nurse developed plan of care for each resident
- Provides basic assessments and treatments, personal care and medication administration to ensure the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of each resident are met
- Utilizes therapeutic communication by establishing a working relationship with residents / families and coworkers for the purpose of meeting the residents needs; ensuring respect, dignity and individuality of each resident and staff person
- Knowledgeable of and provides for the “simple pleasures” of each resident such knowing a resident likes to have the morning paper with coffee or likes to sit in the sun in the afternoon.
- Participates with other team members in formulating, delivering and reporting the daily resident care needs and personal preferences by:
- Attending and gathering pertinent data from report
- Administers medications in a safe and competent manner.
- Assists in the delivery of personal care and attends to the ADL’s of all residents in a respectful, private, dignified and professional manner
- Delivers effective and efficient care that promotes resident/family choice and acknowledges the resident’s strengths, limitations as well as their need for safety and the safety of others
- Respects the knowledge, awareness, dignity and the right to choose of the individual resident and their family, i.e. SDM
Consistent with a resident-focused approach will meet resident needs by partnering with the Continuing Care Assistant to:
- Transport and transfer residents as required
- Actively promoting resident and family involvement in activities within the Home
- Accompanying and actively participating with residents, in activities of their choosing
- Respond to any resident in need by answering bells, alarms telephones and by partnering with all staff until all care is complete
- Assist with serving meals, feeding, providing nourishment supplements to all residents until the needs of all residents are met
- Hourly resident checks and rounds (including but not limited to vitals, incontinent rounds, safety rounds)
Task list of duties include but not limited to:
- Medication Administration
- Completes nightly safety & equipment checklist
- Participating in care conferences as directed
- Participating in care area meetings, general staff meetings and LPN meetings
- Other tasks as required
Documentation of Care
- Responsible to clearly, legibly and objectively document care delivered according to facility policy / practices
To maintain and enhance KNOWLEDGE: to practice safely and competently every LPN must demonstrate understanding and compliance with:
- Gentle Persuasion Approach
- Teepa Snow Approach to Care of Persons with Dementia
- Resident Centered Philosophy of Care
- Crisis Prevention Intervention methods
- Fall prevention methods
- Lift/transfer techniques & Body mechanics
- Infection Control and Prevention Procedures
- All Emergency plans
- Risk management / Quality program
- Environmental Hazards (WHIMIS)
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Palliative care guidelines
- Medications Administration
To maintain and practice those skills, abilities and attributes required on hiring:
- Critical thinking
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem solving
- Organizational skills
- Stress management
- Confidentiality
- Patience
- Supportive of residents and co-workers
- Time management
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Maturity
- Positive attitude
- Respectful
- Communication Skills
- Nursing Skills
- Mentoring
- Flexibility
Is able to consistently demonstrate proficiency in practice the following CORE COMPETENCIES:
Resident centered focus (builds positive family relations)
- Follows up on services, solutions &/or products to ensure that the needs of residents and their families have been met. Makes adjustments as required.
- Understands issues from the resident’s perspective
- Responds efficiently and effectively
- Takes action beyond explicit request
- Meets needs in a respectful, helpful and responsive manner
- Understands the dynamics that result from cultural differences and similarities
Communication (adapts communication to others)
- Seeks comments or feedback to continually move towards excellence in care
- Adapts content, style, tone and medium of communication to suit the target audience’s language, cultural background and level of understanding
- Takes others perspectives into account when communicating, negotiating, or presenting arguments
- Openly and constructively discusses diverse perspectives that could lead to misunderstanding
- Responds to and discusses issues/questions without being defensive and while maintaining the dignity of others.
- Supports messages with relevant data, information, examples and demonstrations
Conflict Management (anticipates and addresses sources of potential conflict)
- Anticipates and takes action to avoid/reduce potential conflict by encouraging and supporting the various parties to get together and attempt to address the issues themselves
- Refocuses team on the work and end-goals and away from personality issues
- Listens to differing points of view and emphasizing points of agreement as a starting point to resolving differences
Self & Community Awareness (recognizes emotions & being pro-active)
- Recognizes the situations that arouse strong emotions and personal bias or preference, but resists temptation to act on them immediately
- Accepts feedback from others without being defensive
- Communicates clearly, minimizing misunderstandings
- Uses accurate observation and understanding of local culture contexts to improve overall performance
- Seeks out, recognizes and uses creatively what different people have to offer
- Recognizes when a social “mistake” has been made and takes steps to avoid long term negative impact
Teamwork (fosters Teamwork)
- Assumes responsibility for work activities and coordinating efforts
- Promotes team goals
- Seeks others input and listen to their perspectives
- Acknowledges the work of others
- Shifts priorities, changes style and responds to new approaches as needed to meet team goals
5. Responsible to maintain and demonstrate in practice the following Job-Specific Competencies:
Adaptability/Flexibility (adapts to a variety of changes)
- Adapts to new ideas and initiatives across a wide variety of issues or situations
- Seeks guidance in adapting behaviors to the needs of a new or challenging situation
- Accepts alternative ways of doing things
Decision making (guided by interpreting policies, standards & guidelines)
- Through interpretation and application of policy able to consider exceptions
- Able to consider the risks and consequences of a decision(s)
- Communicates decision(s) in a straight forward, clear manner
- Able to provide clear support for decision(s)
Leading & Developing (seeks to improve personal effectiveness & individual development)
- Orientation and mentoring of staff
- Provides feedback and participates in performance reviews of CCA staff
- Reinforces strengths and identifies areas for improvement for self and CCA staff
- Tries new approaches to maximize learning
- Takes advantage of learning opportunities (courses, in-services, watching others, etc.)
- Integrates new learning into work methods
- Understands the role of culture in the helping process
Initiative (addresses imminent issues)
- Takes action to avoid problems
- Looks for ways to achieve greater results or add value
- Works persistently as needed and when not required to do so
Quality, Risk and Safety Management (employees at every level are responsible and accountable for safe work practices & adhering to the practices outlines in the NS OH&S Act)
- Strives for excellence
- Makes decisions based on risk analysis
- Reports safety issues to supervisor
- Supports a culture of safety by following safe work practices and policies
- Actively participates in quality initiatives
- Completes safety audits as assigned
- Is familiar and adheres to policies and procedures related to resident safe lifting and transfers
- Participates and promotes usage of personal protective equipment
- Forwards any unresolved safety concerns
Values & Ethics
- All interactions, care delivered and presentation of self to others is congruent with the Mission, Vision and Values of the Home
- Recognizes how professional and personal views may conflict and seeks assistance to avoid &/or resolve presentation of this conflict
- Identifies and considers different ethical aspects of a situation when making decisions.
Education
- Graduate of an accredited LPN school with pharmacological training
- Licensed with the CLPNNS
- Certification in CPR, WHMIS, Food Handlers, Dementia/Alzheimer, Palliative care courses and gentle persuasion approach
Experience
- Recent clinical experience, including medication administration and leadership duties
- Experience in geriatric setting an asset
Approved by: Director of Clinical Services
Please note: This is not a job listing, this is a job description. For current opportunities click here.
