The Registered Practical 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 Practical Nurse will be assigned duties and responsibilities in line with the scope of practice determined by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Day-to-day assignments will be determined by the Resource Nurse/Charge Nurse. The RPN is responsible to quickly identify when the patient’s condition has gone beyond the scope of the RPNs practice or has unexpectedly changed to the RN for assessment.   

Duties and Responsibilities (Subject to Change)

·       Promotes quality nursing care, ensuring patient's needs are recognized and met

·       Actively participates in all aspects of patient care

·       Reports inappropriate or unacceptable performance and takes initial corrective action and communicates with the Manager, Patient Care Services

·       Head to toe assessments - knowledge of normal vs. abnormal findings and reports findings to the

·       RN/Resource Nurse and Physician

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

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

·       In collaboration with the RN, assesses, shares the information, and then plans, implements and evaluates nursing care of assigned patients with team input; the RPN identifies actual or potential challenges

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

·       Identifies/recognizes care that requires an increased level of know ledge or expertise and acts accordingly by making the RN and Resource Nurse aware

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

·       Communicates and consults with members of the interdisciplinary care team

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

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

·       Responsible to review charts, test results and physician orders and may enter orders in order entry when required and with appropriate skill level

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

·       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

·       Proficient in Peripheral Venous Access

·       Proficient in PCS/Meditech computer system

·       Is self directed and identifies appropriate educational needs

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

·       Maintains confidentiality

·       Other duties as assigned

·       Must be willing to work with all team members and provide support and guidance to the team

·       Adheres to infection control standards

·       Assist Resource Nurse when required

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

·       Maintain unit specific yearly certification and core competencies

·       Complete Blanche River Health Professional Development Tool yearly and the CNO QA

Additional Responsibilities

·       Responsible to communicate all patient concerns to the physician using the Hospitalist Communication Board at each Hospitalist work station on the Medical/Surgical Unit

·       Ensure adequate supplies 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 BRH stores form. After hours and on weekends, supplies that are needed urgently; nursing staff is to obtain and sign out the master key at Central Registry for BRH stores, sign for any inventory taken out of the department and return the key to Central Registry

·       Ensure each assigned patient has adequate medication in each medication drawer. Contact pharmacy during regular working hours Mon. - Fri. After hours medication can be obtained from the

·       Medical/Surgical Unit medication room or by contacting pharmacy on call

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

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

·       Assist with 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 when required and attends OTN appointments for assigned patients when required

·       Transfer of patients to other facilities when required

·       Assist the Resource Nurse/Charge nurse coordinating the replacement of staff as per the collective agreement

Education:

Certifications and Registrations

·       Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse in good standing

·       Current BCLS

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 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

·       Proficient with the use of computers and PCS documentation

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

·       Certified in IV administration an asset or willingness to expand competency

·       Any other course or education relevant to patient care on the Fourth Floor

·       Bilingualism an asset