Licensed Practical Nurse

POSITION SUMMARY :

Working in an Assisted Living environment, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides care to tenants requiring nursing assessment, service planning, care planning, interventions, and evaluation of the outcomes.

The LPN is also responsible for medication management and monitoring and provides guidance to Community Health Workers (CHWs) in medication management and complex care.

Responsibilities / Duties :

ü Assesses care plans, implements, and evaluates care to meet the needs of clients in accordance with competency guidelines and within the established standards of practice and current legislative scope of practice.

ü Acts as a health care professional and an active member of the Assisted Living Team by :

ü Working collaboratively with the Mental Health teams, Occupational Health Teams and other team members involved in client care

ü Assisting the team with assessing, development, implementation and evaluating tenant care plans to meet the care needs of tenants as directed by Vancouver Coastal Health Case Manager and supported by the Manager of Supportive Living Services

ü Attending regular team meetings and case conferences

ü Observing tenants in their environments and reporting unsafe conditions, behavioral, physical and / or cognitive changes to the Manager Supportive Living Services

ü Shares knowledge, provides direction, assignment, and supervision to unregulated care providers as appropriate

ü Is familiar with the Personal Assistance Guidelines as established by Vancouver Coastal Health.

ü Provides medication management and administers medication to tenants in accordance with established guidelines and policy. This includes :

Ø Ensuring that tenants receive medication as prescribed by their physician

Ø Liaising with pharmacists for the purpose of medication ordering and storage

Ø Providing guidance to CHWs in medication management

ü Ensures care is provided or delegates in accordance with established program policies, including encouraging and assisting clients in activities of daily living :

Ø Bathing and / or showering Skin care

Ø Oral hygiene

Ø Toileting

Ø Personal grooming

ü Performs nursing care and procedures and evaluates outcomes. Provides complex care and services to tenants, with stable and predictable health status, according to established care plans within the LPN scope of practice.

ü Provides guidance to CHWs in complex care situations and ensures CHWs have the appropriate skills necessary to safely administer personal assistance tasks.

Reports on problems and / or concerns to Manager, Supportive Living Services.

ü Completes and maintains related records and documentation pertinent to Tenant Care, such as progress notes, observations, Kardex, and client charting.

ü Provides input regarding clients’ needs, performance, and progress. Attends multidisciplinary care meetings. Provides emotional support and feedback to clients and families.

ü Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Typical Education, Training, and Experience

ü Graduation from a recognized program for Practical Nurses

ü Current full practicing licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (CLPNBC)

ü Certificates in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and First Aid

ü Recent, related experience of 2 years or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the work

Knowledge and Abilities

ü Demonstrated medication administration skills as outlined in the LPN Scope of Practice.

ü Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and coach team members to promote an efficient and effective team-based environment.

ü Demonstrated ability to analyze, resolve problems efficiently, and be resourceful.

ü Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with coworkers, physicians, other health care staff, clients, and their families, one to one and in groups.

ü Demonstrated ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team approach to tenant support, care, and service provision.

ü Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, organizes and maintain priorities.

ü Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.