Nurse Practitioner

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Resident Care, the Nurse Practitioner is a primary care provider to residents and works within their legislative scope of practice as described and outlined by the College of Nurses Ontario. The Nurse Practitioner collaborates with the resident and family/caregiver, along with the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the resident’s plan of care; provides leadership and mentorship to staff that enhances their knowledge, assessment skills, and ability to care for residents in place; and participates in the research, education and evidence-based practice initiatives to optimize the resident and health system outcomes.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Provides comprehensive primary care to residents as part of the interdisciplinary team. Increases continuity of care through collaboration, consultation and referral as appropriate 

2. Utilizing the nursing process (assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating) within the scope of practice, and working in partnership with the LTC staff and the attending or Physician, to assess acute and chronic illness and/or sudden changes in a resident’s health status to determine if resident can be managed medically within the Home by: 

• Analyzing resident’s condition through physical assessment of resident. 
• Reviewing and analyzing documentation and lab results.
• Consulting with staff, family and physician as required. o Ordering blood work and diagnostic testing, and 
• Prescribing treatment and follow-up care for resident. 

3. Assesses and evaluates a resident’s condition, document findings and prescribes appropriate treatment that falls within the professional scope of practice. Collaborate with physician as appropriate. 

4. Conducts person-centered comprehensive health histories and health assessments of residents. 

5. Collaborates and consults with Physicians, the Director of Resident Care, nursing staff (including the Nursing Coordinators), interdisciplinary team members and external resources regarding resident’s plan of care. 

6. Reviews, and evaluates care plans for residents and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team. 

7. Consult with physician when encountering resident care situations beyond the scope of practice and/or individual competency. 

8. Evaluates changes in resident’s health status in consultation with health care providers and resident or power of attorney for personal care, recommend comprehensive treatment options available and expected outcomes and instruct treatment options for resident as appropriate. 

9. Participates in the initial and annual care conferences, as required/requested.

10. Participates in interdisciplinary rounds, as required/requested. 

11. Assists with care co-ordination and the resident’s safe return to the Home as soon as possible when a resident is transferred to hospital. 

12. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to provide palliative and end-of-life care. 

13. Delegates clinical and administrative responsibilities to the appropriate nursing staff. 

14. Provides clinical leadership and education to the nursing and personal support care team members centered on the resident care needs as directed by the Director of Resident Care. 

15. Participates in identifying, analyzing, and interpreting trends in resident care and professional nursing practice to determine priorities for educational programming for team members, residents and families. Contributes to the development and delivery of education to caregivers, residents and families as required. 

16. Maintains resident records in compliance with established standards and legislative requirements. 

17. Participates in the orientation and training of new staff and students. 

18. Participates in the Home’s Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) utilizing research and best practices. 

19. Perform other related functions as directed by the Director of Resident Care.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Baccalaureate in Nursing program, with current registration in the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.

• Completion of the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program.

• Two years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner in gerontological nursing and/or as a primary health care nurse practitioner.

• Current CPR certificate.

• Knowledge and understanding of the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Employment Standards Act.

• Current Vulnerable Sector Check and TB Testing that is satisfactory to Strathmere Lodge/Middlesex County.