The Registered Nurse is responsible for the application of the nursing process, in planning and providing care for individuals, families or groups, based on the Standards of Nursing Practice, within a total patient care delivery framework.  

He/she demonstrates critical thinking skills and sound decision making based on scientific principles in theory. Is responsible and accountable for all activities in which he/she engages.  

The Registered Nurse will be assigned duties and responsibilities in line with the scope of practice determined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.  The Registered Nurse will Assist the unit Registered Practical Nurse in planning and supervision of patient care including reassessment of the unstable patient with changing acuity/deterioration of condition and responsible to communicate changes to the most responsible physician.

Duties and Responsibilities (Subject to Change)

·      Promotes quality nursing care; ensuring patient’s needs are recognized and met

·      Ability to lead team and assist the RPN to assess, share information, plan and implement and evaluate nursing care

·      Actively participates in all aspects of patient care

·      Reports inappropriate or unacceptable performance, takes initial corrective action and communicates with

·      Manager, Patient Care Services

·      Head to toe assessments – knowledge of normal vs. abnormal findings and reporting findings to physician/charge nurse

·      Critical thinking to intervene with appropriate intervention of the acute and chronically ill patients

·      Care of patients whose care and condition is complex or whose outcomes are unpredictable

·      Collects information from a variety of sources using skills of observation, communication and physical assessment to enable the provision of appropriate nursing care.

·      Acts as an advocate to protect and promote patient and family rights to autonomy, respect, privacy, dignity and access of information.

·      Participates in continuous quality improvement and program evaluation, committees, orientation of new staff; ongoing education; ongoing self-learning and education; policy and procedure development.

·      Provides care in accordance with hospital policies and procedures and standards of practice

·      Develops and maintains knowledge, skills and judgment needed to continually broaden scope of practice

·      Prioritizes for assigned patients or other needs that arise with patients on the unit

·      Consults with all members of the interdisciplinary team to provide optimum care

·      Admits/receive patients and discharges patients according to policy and protocol

·      Responsible for medication delivery, safe practices, medication reconciliation at all points of transfer, transcription and awareness of patient medications

·      Central line skills and yearly certification

·      Proficient in Peripheral Venous Access

·      Proficient in PCS/Meditech computer system

·      Analyzes and reports significant findings from diagnostic tests to the Resource Nurse/ Charge RN and to the physician

·      Documents timely and accurate reports of relevant observations including patient and family teaching and evaluation of nursing care

·      Responsible to review chart both paper and electronic, test results, physicians orders and transcribing physicians orders in assisting Resource Nurse/Charge Nurse

·      Promotes an atmosphere of dignity and respect towards patients and all members of the team

·      Provides leadership support and guidance to the RPN and all members of the team

·      Maintains confidentiality

·      Assists in maintaining a safe environment for patients, families, staff and all members of the health care team by adhering to established safety and emergency practices as well as polices and procedures and by following the regulation of the Occupational Health and safety act

·      Assist and/or fulfil duties of the Resource Nurse when required

·      Annual review of all emergency codes and core competencies

·      Is self directed and identifies appropriate educational needs

·      Adheres to infection control standards

·      Must be willing to be assigned to other nursing areas as required

·      Other duties as assigned

·      Maintain unit specific yearly certification/core competencies

·      Complete Professional Development Tool yearly and the CNO QA

Additional Responsibilities

·       Maintain updated lists of questions on physicians lists

·       Ensure adequate supplies and medications are ordered for the next shift, holidays and weekends by contacting MDRD during regular working hours Mon. – Fri. and after hours by faxing stores using the KDH stores form. After hours and on weekend, supplies that are needed urgently; nursing staff is to obtain and sign out the master key at Central Registry for KDH stores, sign for any inventory taken out of the department and return the key to Central Registry

·       Ensure rooms are adequately stocked and all equipment, O2 and suction is working properly

·       Ensure time during shifts, not required for direct patient care, charting or duties is used for continuing education and unit appropriate work

·       The charge RN on night shift is to coordinate breaks for the evening and night RNs and RPNs

·       Ensure all equipment is functioning and initiate work order when required

·       Coordinate replacement of staff for sick calls as per the collective agreement

·       Coordination of emergency activities

·       Ensure all equipment is plugged into wall outlet and returned to appropriate area when not in use

·       Hallways should be free of clutter and a safe environment be maintained

·       Attends and participates in interdisciplinary committee meeting and attends OTN appointments for assigned patients when required

·       Transfer of patients to other facilities when required

Qualifications

Education:

Certifications and Registrations

·       Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered nurses without disciplinary actions or investigations

·       Current BCLS – ACLS an asset

·       Bilingualism an asset

Skill, Ability & Experience:

·       Proficient in medication administration

·       Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively with patients and all members of the health care team

·       Ability to meet physical demands of the job

·       Able to organize and prioritize

·       Ability to work in a fast paced environment with frequent interruptions

·       Ability to multi task

·       Ability to work alongside all members of the health care team

·       Highly developed problem solving and conflict management skills

·       Well developed interpersonal skills

·       Highly developed team building skills

·       Proven good attendance record with the capability of maintaining this same standard

·       Able to demonstrate knowledge, skill and judgment necessary to competently perform

·       Proficient with the use of computers and PCS documentation a preference