Reporting to the Manager and working in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN):

• is responsible for providing nursing care to an assigned group of patients
• functions as an independent practitioner, while recognizing situations that falls outside the scope of an LPN
• assists patients in meeting their physical, social, spiritual and psychological needs consistent with the mission, vision and values of Providence Health Care (PHC) and established protocols
• participates in developing care plans, conducting assessments, implementing and evaluating interventions, documenting information and acting as an advocate for patients
• Participates in a variety of meetings including care conferences, and assists with orientation of new staff and students as required
• responds and reports incidents according to established procedures and performs clerical duties as needed

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from a recognized program for Practical Nurses or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) as a practicing LPN registrant. Current basic cardiac life support certification.
• One year recent, related experience working in an Urban Health setting including experience with addiction, HIV/AIDS or Indigenous patient populations or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures appropriate for the area of service.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to work as a member in an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to apply decision making and analytical skills.
• Ability to role model conflict resolution strategies.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work.
• Ability to teach and identify patient/resident learning needs.
  
  

Your Day-to-Day

The LPN:

• Provides safe and respectful nursing care to an assigned group of patients/residents, according to established policies and procedures, in combination with evolving individualized care plans and setting care priorities.
• Conducts head-to-toe assessments, monitors and recognizes abnormal signs or symptoms including laboratory values, and communicates with the RN/RPN, if warranted. Consults other members of the interdisciplinary care team as required. Supports and partners with the RN/RPN in the care of patients/residents with complex or unpredictable outcomes.
• Communicates with physician regarding assigned patient/resident and carries out verbal and/or written orders as required. Transcribes orders onto appropriate patient/resident record and processes written orders as needed.
• Documents care provided, such as assessments, status, progress, treatments, changes in condition, medications administered and discharge planning, in manual and/or computerized environment.
• Prepares patient for, and/or receives patient from surgical and/or diagnostic procedures, transfers and admissions. Contacts physician, or other member(s) of the interdisciplinary team for relevant patient orders and information.
• Administers medications, including narcotics and excluding intravenous route, according to established procedures, and monitors medication’s effects. Maintains communication with RN/RPN or other members of the interdisciplinary team as required.
• Uses evidence-based resources such as Nursing Care Standards and drug reference guides, in-services and workshops, to keep nursing knowledge and procedures up-to-date.
• Responds to a variety of incidents such as Codes, injuries or falls, hazardous spills, aggressive behavior and fire alarms. Reports incidents and fills out appropriate forms in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with the orientation of new staff and student preceptors by performing duties such as demonstrating work procedures, proper use/location of equipment, sharing clinical knowledge, using effective communication and acting as a positive role model.
• Identifies patient/resident and their significant other(s)’s actual and potential strengths and limitations including physiological, psychological, socio-cultural and spiritual needs. Encourages involvement of patient/resident and their significant other(s) in decisions that affect them, by respecting personal choices and providing information and opportunities to talk about their concerns.
• Identifies and responds to patient/resident and family learning needs, provides educational and reference materials, incorporates patient/resident and family teaching activities into care plan and nursing interventions, and/or makes referrals to other identified resources.
• Attends, provides input and advocates on patient/resident’s behalf at care planning meetings and family conferences.
• Participates with the interdisciplinary team in the development, modification and evaluation of individualized care plans that support the abilities, preferences and routines of the patient/resident.
• Uses knowledge of patient/resident status, external supports and other relevant factors to assist the team with discharge planning.
• Participates in staff meetings, special projects and relevant hospital committees to provide generalized information and feedback on patient/resident care and nursing practice.
• Operates and/or cleans equipment related to patients/residents care and reports malfunctions to supervisor. Uses appropriate supplies for care in accordance with departmental procedures; handles, stores and disposes of workplace hazardous materials and sharps in accordance with established procedures.
• Performs related clerical duties such as answering the telephone, faxing, taking and relaying messages and assisting in maintaining standardized records.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.