Licensed Practical Nurse

JOB TITLE: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE

DEPARTMENT: NURSING

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF CARE

Job Summary

Under the work direction of the Registered Nurse the Licensed Practical Nurse is expected to function within the full scope of professional practice and is responsible for: providing daily nursing care; ensuring the safety and well being of the residents; administering medications; performing nursing procedures; providing routine personal care to residents; dealing with emergency situations; making decisions and carrying out nursing interventions in accordance with the guidelines for professional scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses.

Duties & Responsibilities

Resident Care:

• Administration of prescribed medications and treatments. This includes:
• Medications
• Oral, including prn and oral narcotics
• Subcutaneous: insulin, following demonstrated competency
• Intramuscular: following demonstrated competency.
• Procedures
• Assessment and vital signs monitoring
• Catheterization and bladder irrigation, after R.N. direction
• Sterile/nonsterile dressings and wound care
• Glucometer testing
• Ensures the care environment provides minimum risk to residents and staff. Follows the security procedures for the facility.
• Ensures residents receive adequate nutrition and fluids according to individual care plans noting and reporting changes in appetite and food and texture preferences.
• Participates in the admission, discharge, and transfer of residents, according to facility policies and procedures.
• Observes and reports any changes in a resident’s condition, functional, and cognitive behavior, and reports changes to the attending physician.
• May accept a telephone order from the physician and process Doctors Orders.
• The Resident Care Coordinator will be notified of changes in a resident’s condition and physician orders.
• Documents in the resident’s progress notes using the Focus Charting method and records information on the care plan.
• Identifies, communicates, and documents the resident’s needs for assistance with their activities of daily living.
• Promotes and assists residents to participate in social, spiritual, and recreational activities.
• Maintains respectful communication with residents and their families/support persons.
• Ensures nursing equipment and supplies are used and stored in a safe and efficient manner.
• Reports unsafe or faulty equipment to the Resident Care Coordinator and activates a requisition with Maintenance.
• Ensures resident’s rights of privacy and confidentiality are maintained, including handling and storage of confidential information.
• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with the facility policies and procedures.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary care planning conferences and medication reviews.
• Attends in-service programs.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Graduate from an approved Practical Nursing program, which includes a pharmacology module (post 2000) or has completed the recognized pharmacology upgrade module.
• Holds a current license to practice from the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of B.C.
• Holds current certification in CPR and First Aid
• Previous experience in a complex care facility.

Skills & Abilities

• Must possess the personal qualities and attitudes that respect the spirit, dignity and individuality of the residents.
• Must be in good health, free from communicable diseases and physically and mentally capable to carry out the assigned duties in the work environment.
• Must communicate competently in oral and written English and understand work information in English.
• Must be able to perform job activities that require lifting, bending, stooping and stretching.
• Must be able to safely and efficiently operate all equipment related to the job.
• Must have the ability to work in a team environment and work effectively with others.
• Has the ability to be self-directed and is able to provide leadership and direction for others in the team.