Complexity and Scope of the Position 

Reports to the Director of Care, Assistant Director of Care or Registered Nurse of the Long Term Care residence. Provides professional nursing care to residents in accordance with required medical care and professional nursing practice. Provides direction to the Personal Support Workers as defined by the College of Nurses Standard of Practice Working with Unregulated Health Care Workers. Assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for residents, visitors and other staff members. All duties are performed in the best interest of the residents and their families, and in accordance with AgeCare’s vision, mission and values statements. 

Key Activities 

Resident Relations: 

• Promotes and respects the Resident Bill of Rights. 

• Assists with the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualized care to meet residents’ holistic care needs. 

• Contributes to the development and evaluation of residents’ plan of care. 

• Implements nursing care as outlined in the resident specific plan of care. 

• Communicates resident care needs and changes in resident status to the Registered Nurse and key resident contacts. 

• Provides input regarding the appropriateness of resident transfers into or out of the unit. 

• Provides direct resident care as outlined in the resident plan of care including but not limited to administration of medication, completion of treatments, and resident teaching related to care needs. 

• Encourages residents to actively participate in therapy programs and recreational activities. 

• Liaises with physicians and other internal and external members of the health care team to ensure resident care needs are met. 

• Respects and uses sensitivity in the spiritual, cultural and ethnic aspects of resident care. 

• Responds to resident or family member concerns and ensures appropriate action is taken within decision-making authority and/or brings to the attention of the Director of Care. 

Leadership: 

• Ensures standards as set by AgeCare policies are implemented on the unit. 

• Participates in the development of unit goals and objectives (annually). 

• Serves as a resource person for Personal Support Workers providing resident care. 

• Provides input into the performance review process of non-registered staff. 

• Delegates tasks and duties to non-registered staff in accordance with their job description and AgeCare policies. 

• Promotes team building among members of the unit care team. 

• Assists team members in identifying learning needs. 

Marketing & Occupancy: 

• Represents the residence when attending workshops, in-service sessions and other scheduled meetings as authorized by the Director of Care. 

• Provides assistance as required to enhance the volunteer and public relations program. 

• Effectively communicates and interacts with residents, family members, visitors and volunteers in a courteous and professional manner. 

Regulatory Compliance: 

• Ensures work performed is conducted in a safe manner in accordance with AgeCare policies and procedures including established Occupational Health and Safety procedures. 

• Works safely to reduce the risk of injury to self, other staff members and residents. 

•  Promptly reports all actual or potentially hazardous situations. 

• Ensures work performed is conducted in accordance with The Nursing Home Act and College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Practice. 

• Ensures the maintenance of a clean working environment. 

• Conducts duties in accordance with AgeCare policies and procedures, as well as, government regulations, laws and policies. 

• Maintains confidentiality of residents’ personal information. 

Operational & Administrative Systems: 

• In collaboration with the Registered Nurse, implements AgeCare policies and procedures on the unit.  

• Provides input into the revision of procedures within the residence and the unit. 

• Liaises with physicians and other members of the health care team including external health care partners. In the absence of the Registered Nurse, immediately notifies the physician of any significant changes in resident status. 

• Works with other members of the health care team to ensure residents’ care needs are met. 

• Provides direction to Personal Support Workers on the care team. 

• Participates in shift report with members of the health care team, ensuring that all team members are informed of changes in resident status. 

• Records significant changes in residents’ condition; ensures documentation in the residents’ chart adheres to AgeCare policies and procedures and College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Practice. 

• Reviews and processes physician orders as per procedure, ensuring orders are implemented as soon as possible. Immediately communicates difficulties in processing physician orders to the Registered Nurse. 

• Provides first aid to staff members when necessary, initiates Employee Incident Reports and ensures completion. 

• Ensures all medications required by residents are received on the unit; administers medications and treatments to residents as per residence procedures. 

• Ensures narcotic medication is stored and accounted for according to AgeCare policies and procedures. 

• Participates in orientation and on-the-job training of staff as required. 

• Communicates supply requirements to the Registered Nurse. Completes supply requisition forms in the absence of the Registered Nurse. 

• Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities within the residence. 

• Participates on residence/unit committees which affect service. 

• Participates in resident care conferences as requested. 

Qualifications 

Experience: 

• A sound knowledge and background in geriatric, rehabilitation or long term care nursing including activation, nursing, and personnel administration.  

• Knowledge of the Long Term Care Act, Program Standards for Long Term Care, the appropriate sections of the Health Disciplines Act, Occupation Health and Safety Act, Pharmacy Act, Food and Drugs Act (Canada), Narcotic Control Act (Canada), Coroners Act, College of Nurses of Ontario Standards of Practice and other pertinent Federal, Provincial and Municipal Statues which influence the operation of the Nursing Home and more specifically the nursing department. 

Education: 

• A current Certificate of Competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario and a member in good standing. 

Skills & Abilities: 

• Must be mature and possess good communication (verbal and written), leadership and interpersonal skills.  

• Must be in good physical and mental health.  

• Must be knowledgeable about the nursing process as well as developments and trends in the geriatric care field. 

Special Requirements 

• Work is of an active nature involving periods of prolonged standing and working.  

• Work involves periods of substantial bending, carrying, and lifting associated with resident care activities.  

• There is a risk of infections and contamination through clinical activities (e.g. giving injections including intravenous administrations and aggressive resident behaviors). 

• Consistent mental stress is associated with the performance of work due to strict adherence to schedules, organizing information, and interaction with residents, staff and the general public. 

• Must be prepared to respond to emergency situations. 

• Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Persons Check.