Nurse Practitioner

SUMMARY

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a primary care provider to residents and works within her/his legislative scope of practice as described and outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario. The Attending NP role will contribute to continuity of care, improved care coordination across the care continuum, creation and implementation of quality improvement plans and supporting the implementation of evidenced-based practices. This role has a 70% focus on direct resident care and 30% focus on education, quality improvement, leadership and research. 

LINES OF REPORTING

The Nurse Practitioner   role falls within the Nursing Department budget The Nurse Practitioner reports directly to the Director of Care with accountabilities to the Medical Director; who provides clinical oversight.  HOURS OF WORK

This is a “flexible hours” position that follows the ONA collective agreement, with flexible hours and weekend scheduling.  ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintains confidentiality and acts in an ethical manner, consistent with professional expectations, and the policies of River Glen Haven Nursing Home  Is a member of the primary care team and seeks appropriate consultation as required. Engages in on-going professional development, maintains clinical competence and currency with legislation affecting her/his practice Develops in-depth expertise in care of older persons. Ensures 70% of time is dedicated to the provision of direct care to residents

Provides comprehensive primary care to residents (including substitute decision- makers as appropriate) as part of the interdisciplinary health care team. Interdisciplinary health care team includes unregulated health care professionals. Increases continuity of care through collaboration, consultation and referral as appropriate:

1. Collaborates and consults with physicians, director of nursing and personal care, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members and external

resources regarding resident plan of care.

Assists, supports, guides and provides consultation to director of nursing and personal care, nursing staff and interdisciplinary team members regarding challenging clinical situations. Makes referrals to specialized consultants, services and other health providers. Accepts referrals from interdisciplinary team members. Performs a person-centered health assessment of residents on admission, annually and as needed (including quarterly medication reviews). Conducts person-centered comprehensive health histories. Engages with the resident in regular dialogue about their care plan. Participates in regular care conferences. Orders and/or performs appropriate screening and diagnostic investigations, interpreting results and assuming responsibility for follow-up. Diagnoses acute and chronic health conditions. Manages the care of residents by providing pharmacological, complementary and/or counselling interventions, and performs procedures within the NP scope of practice. Advocates for and provides palliative and end-of-life care. Documents clinical data, assessment findings, diagnoses, plans of care, therapeutic interventions, resident responses and clinical rationale in a timely and accurate manner. Engages residents in dialogue to determine what is important to them for health and quality of life. Provides person-focused health education. Collaborates with the resident to develop a person-centered plan of care. Provides outreach and transitional services to LTCH residents who return to the community. Liaises with discharge planning services for hospitalized residents to ensure a smooth transition back to the LTCH. Participates in providing after hours and on-call coverage in accordance with the on-call policy of the LTCH.  

30% Research, Education, and Leadership

Participates in creating an organizational environment that supports the safety and quality of resident care and life, collaborative practice, and professional growth. Participates in internal (e.g. Professional Advisory Committees, Quality Committee, Wound Management ) and external committees. Identifies, develops and implements practice innovations, in collaboration with the LTCH’s senior leadership team. Provides leadership and involves the interdisciplinary team in quality improvement initiatives. Provides leadership in developing and implementing strategies to optimize the integration of illness and injury prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, rehabilitation and restorative care activities. Provides formal and informal teaching and coaching in the management of clinical care to interdisciplinary team members, serving as resource person, educator and role model and contributes to the performance appraisals of registered nursing staff. Participates in identifying, analyzing and interpreting trends in resident care outcomes and professional nursing practice issues to determine priorities for educational programming. Contributes to planning, implementing and evaluating learning resources and health education programs for residents, families and substitute decision makers.

Promotes knowledge development of clinical staff by integrating best practices in resident care. Engages in evidence-informed practice by critically appraising and applying relevant research, and theory in providing health-care services. Identifies and implements research-based innovations for improving resident care. Collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team and/or community to identify research opportunities and to conduct and/or support research. Acts as a change agent through knowledge translation and dissemination of new knowledge that may include formal presentations, informal discussions, the development of best practices, policies and procedures. QUALIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class (Primary Health Care or Adult) and entitled to practice Post-graduate education and experience in gerontology (an asset) Specialty certification in gerontological nursing (an asset) Post-graduate certificate and experience in palliative care (an asset) Holds professional liability   protection Maintains a current CPR certification.