POSITION SUMMARY

The Undergraduate Nurse (UN) works as a member of the care team, collaborating on the delivery of client care to meet individual needs and within his/her level of competency.  He/She integrates and applies the knowledge, skills, judgment and interpersonal attributes required to provide a safe and ethical professional service to clients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN).

The UN will be assigned duties reflective of his/her level of education preparation, demonstrated skill level, AgeCare policies and procedures and the collaborative care model.

Within the scope of this position, the UN takes on a key role to continually provide an environment promoting a culture of client safety and freedom from harm and injury.

The UN promotes health and safety awareness in the workplace, promotes teamwork and spirit, encourages client independence, respects clients’ rights and individuality, assists them to meet their basic needs and applies understanding of life cycle and aging to current practice.

VALUE BASED WORK

All positions must work demonstrating AgeCare’s values of Trust, Respect, Quality and Teamwork. AgeCare is committed to providing a respectful environment, and we believe that when we work together and live our values, we honour our rights and responsibilities.  

CORE OUTCOMES

Assessment

Collects relevant data and contributes to the comprehensive assessment of the health status of each assigned clientAssesses client and collaborates with the RN by providing a physical assessment of major body systems for which he/she has had instruction and has demonstrated competence in his/her education program:Respiratory (pneumonia)Circulatory (possible MI, CHF)Integumentary (risk of skin breakdown)Sensory (hearing, visual losses)Muscular – skeletal (mobility, pain)Elimination (bowel, bladder)Ensures all newly admitted clients and those clients with changing, complex, unpredictable, unstable health care needs have a comprehensive nursing assessment including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and well being

Planning

In collaboration with the client, family, members of the care team, identifies, relates, interprets, and integrates the client’s needsUtilizes data collected from assessments to establish a plan of care in collaboration with the RNRecords identified needs on the client’s care planContributes to the establishment of client goals and outcome measures for the identified interventionsEnsures revisions to car plans are made, in collaboration with the RN

Implementation

Provides care in accordance with AgeCare policies and procedures under the direction of the RNModifies nursing actions according to changes in client health status under the direction of the RNProvides care to stable clients to further assess individual clients and/or to coach other nursing staff in the provision of quality careDocuments nursing actions in the 24-hr report and TTR indicating collaboration with the RNAdministers medications which are not considered restricted activities, to assigned clientsEvaluates the effectiveness of all medicationsDocuments administration of medications according to AgeCare policies and procedures

Evaluation

Assists the RN in the evaluation of client care regularly based on expected outcomes: monthly, quarterly, annually, after significant changes to a client’s conditionCollaborates with the RN to evaluate the care of groups of clients based on best practice standards established for the group

Documentation

Assists the RN in maintaining accurate, clear, concise documentation that meets legislative and legal requirements as well as the standards identified by AgeCare

Communication on the Nursing Team

Assists the RN to ensure that all relevant information is communicated to the next shifts – verbal shift report  / 24 hr report (along with documentation on the clinical record)Collaborates with the RN to assess nursing workloads and plans staff assignments to best meet the overall needs of clients (group assignments, unit / neighborhood assignments relative to overall Nursing Department workloads/needs)

Collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team

Consults with other members of the professional health care team as appropriate

Continuing Competence

Maintains individual, specialized and workplace specific competencies to carry out the functions expected in the GN role at AgeCareAttends mandatory and continuing education inservices provided by AgeCare and ensures number of education hours meet AgeCare guidelinesIdentifies own learning needs by soliciting feedback from othersSeeks ways to address own learning needs to ensure personal professional competence to provide client care required by AgeCare, current legislation and professional colleges (CARNA, CRPNA)

Restricted Activities:

The UN under the supervision of a RN may perform duties for which he/she has had instruction and has demonstrated competence in his/her education program.  Competencies are determined in collaboration with the Unit Manager, Director of Care or designate.  UN’s are not to take verbal telephone physician orders and cannot perform any specialized clinical competency

Responsible Organizational Behavior

Participates in and supports the development and implementations of the service area/program’s plans (including Emergency Response Plan), goals and objectives Guides and supports students and other personnel as appropriateMaintains a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality to all clients and staff to ensure individual rights are respected and protectedPromotes a positive work environment by:Respecting other’s opinions, judgments, and abilitiesUsing proper channels of communicationManaging conflict effectivelyDemonstrating flexibility and reliabilityTreats other team members, clients and families with dignity and respectRecognizes when to seek assistanceProvides input into the development of AgeCare policies, procedures and practicesParticipates actively in meetings, attends assigned teams, as able, and carries out assigned responsibilitiesParticipates in quality improvement activities (TQM Program)Promotes health and safety awareness, establishes, instructs and monitors staff for safe work practices and compliance with all regulationsConducts environmental safety inspections on a daily basis, including monitoring of equipment and hazard identification and hazard controlCorrects unsafe conditions and practices among employees including investigation and Disciplinary action according to AgeCare policies and procedures and in collaboration with the Director of Care / Clinical Resource Nurse / Unit ManagerSupervises client care assigned to appropriate, competent nursing staff, including the supervision of restricted activities supported by AgeCare that are assigned to other regulated health care professionalsSupervises competent unregulated workers (HCA’s) to provide client care interventions supported by AgeCare as defined as “activities of daily living”Reassigns care, as required, based on the changing needs of the client or the assessed deficit of competence of the particular staff assigned to carry on the careMonitors the care provided by the entire team to ensure the client care plan is followed

Client Safety

Perform all duties in a manner in which client safety is the focusReport any unsafe activities that may cause harm or injury to a clientEducate other co-workers / colleagues on the proper safety techniques when there is a possibility of endangering a clientObserve and correct any unsafe behavior demonstrated by clients

QUALIFICATIONS

Special Job Characteristics

Job flexibility in the work assignedGood communication and interpersonal skills dealing with clients, families, physicians and other staffDemonstrates a caring and empathetic attitude in a professional, mature mannerCritical thinking skills, within the scope of the practice (including clinical judgment and problem solving) and in collaboration with the RN

Experience

Prior health care experience in a long-term care facility preferred

Education / Designation Requirements:

Completion of year 3 of nursing program in accredited schoolProof of completion of 3rd or 4th year nursing program or proof of enrollment in refresher program

        PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires a significant amount of lifting, bending, and walkingAccording to the Canadian Classification and Dictionary of Occupations, this job is considered “medium”Lifting 50 lbs maximumFrequent lifting and/or carrying up to 20 lbsMay involve sitting with pushing and pulling or arm and/or leg controlsMust be able to handle stressful situations in the workplace

HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS

PhysicalMuscle strain from lifting, transferring, turning clientsDealing with aggressive clientsRepetitive strain injuriesErgonomic concerns re: desk/computer workChemicalWorking with WHMIS and Control productsBiologicalContact with blood and body fluidsExposure to illnesses seen in a communal living environment i.e. influenza, colds, GINeedle stick injuriesEnvironmentalSlippery floorsBed cranksBed railsWorking alone situationsUsing specialized equipmentPlants and animalsRadiationNone

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Is responsible for own health and safety by complying with all policies and procedures.Attends health and safety training and education sessionsReports all incidents, injuries, and illness to Supervisor immediatelyReports all substandard practices, conditions, and potential hazardsWorks within the Occupational Health & Safety Legislation: specific job responsibilities, daily identification of hazards and controls as requiredComplies with OH&S documentation including Near Misses, Employee Unusual Incident Investigation ReportsEnsures equipment is maintained in good working orderUses and operates equipment in a safe and proper manner and for the intended purpose, according to policies and proceduresRefuses unsafe work

If you’re motivated by the privilege of serving our seniors with dignity, respect and compassion, come join us!