Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Foot Care - Casual

Position at VON Canada (Ontario)

Requisition Details:

Employment Status: Casual
Program Name: Foot Care Program
Work Schedule: Days
Union/Bargaining Unit: LiUNA
On Call: No
Existing Vacancy: Yes – we’re currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position

The Foot Care Nurse with VON is expected to build therapeutic relationships with the clients served. The Foot Care Nurse will provide care according to the established care plan or medical directive of each person. The footcare nurse is expected to use the skills of observation, assessment, nursing diagnosis and counseling to support the whole person, ensuring safety at all times. Client care includes utilizing skills included but not limited to foot hygiene, routine maintenance of the feet, cutting and filing of toe nails and additional skills related to assessments associated with diabetes and peripheral vascular diseases; care of diabetic foot ulcers. Ideally, the candidate has basic footcare certification or is willing to obtain it. Experience would be an asset but is not required.

Job Summary:

The Registered Practical Nurse is responsible for the provision and management of client and family centered, evidence-based, efficient nursing care to individuals and families in their homes and community. The Registered/Licensed Practical Nurse ensures care is provided within the framework of quality & risk management and the standards and scope of practice set by VON and the relevant provincial regulatory body. The Registered/Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for safe and appropriate teaching, assignment and delegation of tasks to different categories of workers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides nursing care to predictable clients who have less complex care needs via an established plan of care. When providing care to clients with more complex needs and unpredictable health outcomes, must consult with an RN (or other appropriate health care provider).
• Manages and facilitates care via an established nursing care plan and evaluate client responses to interventions.
• Provides cost-effective, organized, outcome directed care on an ongoing basis.
• Provides complete, relevant assessment of the client and family and their environment utilizing established procedures.
• Obtains relevant information for care from the client, family and appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Documents all relevant information clearly, concisely, accurately and appropriately according to VON standards.
• Describes and documents assessment findings utilizing established procedures. This includes the documentation of a client’s and family’s reaction to care.
• Documents problems identified using a specified framework and focuses care on appropriate problem areas utilizing established procedures.
• Contributes to clients’ care plans in collaboration with the health care team.
• Selects and implements strategies or interventions from established care plans in consultation with the client and/or caregiver and health care team.
• Documents and provides rational for modifications to the care plan, such as changes to the visit schedule.
• Negotiates with client and the family during delivery of care while respecting client choices.
• Incorporates current research findings into clinical practices.
• Provides rationale for referrals, increase or decrease in visits and for discharge based on relevant, sound data and established guidelines.
• Identifies and utilizes tools and resources for relevant work and manages these resources.
• Assigns care to other workers and involves the client and family in client care as appropriate.
• Refers clients to appropriate category of nursing care provider and to other disciplines utilizing established guidelines.
• Promotes client-directed care, self-care and independence through teaching.
• Shares clinical knowledge to enable clients, family and the community to make informed choices in determining health and service needs.
• Utilizes adult learning principals and established teaching materials to provide health teaching to clients and families.
• Promotes involvement of the client family in determining health and service needs.
• Participates in the development of heath policies and nursing practice standards through involvement in VON, professional organizations and community organizations.
• Practices in accordance with the quality and risk management framework of VON Canada and Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
• Plans, implements, evaluates and adjusts care in accordance with customer focused expectations by seeking input from clients to assure that service meets needs.
• Participates in decision making and follows up to promote continuous quality improvement.
• Functions in accordance with the VON policies, procedures and strategic direction of VON Canada.
• Collaborates with management staff and colleagues in the evaluation of own practice and maintains competence through continuing education and self-reflection.

Common Responsibilities:

• Promotes the goals and values of VON and their role as an integrated community care provider.
• Promotes a safe and healthy workplace ensuring workplace conduct and activities are in accordance with the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and compliant with the VON Safety Management System, including all Policies, Safe Work Practices and Procedures.
• Abides by all VON policies and work practices.
• Abides by all confidentiality and protection of personal information policies, regulations and practices and ensures appropriate safeguards are in place within their role.
• Works in collaboration with other staff in a team approach to service delivery.

External and Internal Relationships:

• Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and acts as a clinical resource and mentor for other care providers, staff and students.
• Engages regularly with clients, their families and caregivers. Provides education and support to engage clients and families in independence.
• Participates actively with other healthcare professional organizations and the community to promote nursing best practices.

Education, Designations and Experience:

• Must have a License as a Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse in the province of practice.
• For positions requiring expertise in a specific field of clinical practice additional degrees or certificates may be required.
• Clinical practice experience is an asset.
• Experience in community health is an asset.

Skill Requirements:

• Ability to observe and make effective assessments of clinical issues.
• Able to initiate and support health teaching, facilitation and development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with particular proficiency in interviewing relevant stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal relationship building skills with the ability work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to problem solve and to adapt to nursing interventions as appropriate.
• The capacity to adhere to strict confidentially.
• Able to articulate effectively knowledge of components of quality and risk management principles as they relate to clinical practices.
• Effective time management skills that allow for the independent planning and organizing of daily work activity.

Other:

• Must have personal vehicle and possess both a current driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance
• A current and original copy of a satisfactory Criminal Records Check.
• A Vulnerable Sector Search and/or a Child Abuse Registry Check may be required.
• Available to work flexible hours.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.

Attention Current Employees (Internal Applicants): If you are applying to a unionized position and you are a member of its bargaining unit, please be aware that this posting may remain open beyond the deadline if there are not enough applicants to fill the position(s). If the posting remains open after the initial deadline, VON may close the posting at its’ discretion or a rolling deadline equivalent to the posting period specified in your Collective Agreement will be deemed, and each successive period will be treated as a separate posting for purposes of comparing seniority between candidates.

VON Canada is committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities and to providing accessibility accommodations for candidates who require them. If you are in need of accessibility support, please visit our website at for further details.

VON Canada is committed to embracing and celebrating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as fundamental to living out our values of Respect, Compassion, and Excellence in all that we do.