ABOUT THE HOSPICE OF WINDSOR AND ESSEX COUNTY INC.
Founded to provide compassionate, clinical, end-of-life care, The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. (Hospice) has been caring for our community since 1979. Hospice believes in equitable access to care for all. We provide specialized wrap-around services to adults, children, and their caregivers, in the setting of their choice – whether it be in our Residences or in their home.
With only partial government funding, it has been through the generous support of our volunteers and our community that we have continued to provide memorable care, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones.
ROLE OVERVIEW
This role will appeal to a caring and compassionate individual who values hospice palliative care and who is eager to support the organization and an energetic team. The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) is dedicated to the vision, mission, and values of Hospice, and puts their best efforts forward to promote the interests of the organization as well as contribute to a positive work culture.
The RPN of the Hospice Residences (Windsor and Erie Shores) will support and work towards achieving the strategic directions set out by the Board of Directors of the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. Hospice’s strategic directions, mission, vision and values will be the basis of annual employee performance evaluation.
This role will function as a front line RPN alongside other registered nursing staff, PSWs, supporting the Hospice Residence Manager in fulfilling the needs of the residence.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Responsible for a patient case load within their scope of practice with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
2. Communicate, implement and ensure that Hospice’s responsive and holistic culture is maintained and evident within the residences.
3. Support individuals to make informed decisions on the depth of information about diagnosis, prognosis and disease progression they wish to receive and share with their families.
4. Develop and nurture professional and therapeutic relationships with community partners.
5. Communicate and implement any of the Hospice’s support services as appropriate for patients and families.
6. Demonstrate openness and sensitivity to social, spiritual and cultural values and practices that may influence individuals and family preference and ensure beliefs are acknowledged and accommodated.
7. Support the Hospice Residence Manager with daily management of the residences, including administrative tasks as required.
8. Work in collaboration with the Coordinator of Volunteers to ensure adequate volunteer services within the Hospice residences.
9. Work in collaboration with the Hospice Residences Manager and community services to manage processing of the Hospice residence waitlist and admissions.
10. Actively collect statistical and clinical quality improvement data, under the direction of the Hospice Residence Manager, thereby meeting the required timelines for monthly, quarterly, and annual report needs.
11. Identify, assess and manage palliative care emergencies including, but not limited to: biliary, bowel and urinary obstruction, catastrophic bleed, delirium, hypercalcemia, pain crisis, seizures, spinal cord compression and superior vena cava obstruction.
12. Aware of best practices for expected death, such as the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario's Best Practice Guidelines, as well as local and organizational policies and processes.
13. Accurately assess and manage individuals and families’ loss, grief and bereavement needs, through interventions or referring to members of the interdisciplinary team.
14. Demonstrates knowledge of and proficiency with relevant legislation and policies, e.g. Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Adult Protection Act, the Health Care Consent Act, 1996, and the Substitute Decision Act.
15. Welcome and orient new patients and families into the Hospice Residence, in order to achieve a fulsome understanding of the environment and support system available within the home.
16. Maintain a safe environment for patients, family, visitors, staff and volunteers, by completing ongoing surveying of the environment and actively addressing issues as they are identified and/or reported.
17. Participate in planning with the Hospice Residence Manager, by providing suggestions related to education and support needs of patients/families, Hospice residence personnel, volunteers, and other employees, with a focus on continuous quality improvement.
18. Communicate and collaborate effectively as a member of the Hospice Residence multi-disciplinary team which includes RN, PSW, physicians, residents/fellows, Social Work, Spiritual Care, and volunteers.
19. Provide orientation and mentorship to new staff and students within the organization, as appropriate for their role, to ensure they are well orientated to their roles within the organization.
20. Adopt a leadership role in ensuring patient report/communication huddles occur at (or about) the prescribed times during the shift.
21. Chart audits.
22. Documentation.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS & INTERACTIONS
1. Patients, families, and caregivers.
2. Hospice residence manager(s).
3. Physicians, residents, fellows.
4. Hospice residence staff – RN, PSW, Social Work, Spiritual Care.
5. Students.
6. Volunteers.
7. Coordinator of Volunteers.
8. Housekeeping.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Accountable to the Hospice Residence Manager.
2. Adherence to the expectations identified within the mission, vision and values of Hospice.
3. Accountable for adhering to the Hospice policies, professional behavior, and for ensuring a review of such as required.
4. Accountable to maintain clinical competence through continuing education and required reflective practice protocols as established by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
5. Provide proof of annual registration from the College of Nurses to Hospice by January of every year.
6. Conduct practice in accordance with the guidelines identified by the College of Nurses Ontario and all applicable provincial and federal laws.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
o Actively registered as an RPN with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
o Evidence of a Vulnerable Police Clearance completed within the past 6 months.
o CPR Certification and annual maintenance.
o Ability to speak fluently in the French language is an asset.
o Proficient computer skills including Cerner or EMR, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook as a minimum.
o Excellent oral and written communications skills.
o Personal phone is required for scheduling, payroll and MFA application access.
2. EXPERIENCE
o Minimum of 1-2 years of RPN experience in a comparable setting (e.g. long-term care, complex care).
o Experience in oncology and/or palliative care is preferred.
3. EDUCATION
o Completed “Fundamentals of Palliative Care” course, or completed Hospice’s “Patient Care Volunteer Training” course with a plan to complete the “Fundamentals of Palliative Care” within one year of employment.
o Completed the “Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education” (CAPCE) course or completion within one year of employment.
o Completed the “Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative and End of Life Care” (LEAP) course or completion within one year of employment.
4. SPECIFIC SKILL REQUIREMENTS
o CADD Solis Pump: programming CADD pump correctly to doctor’s orders, checking reservoir volume and documenting, checking bolus attempted and given, ensuring concentration, rate, dosage, lock out time, and bolus amounts are correct.
o Catheterization: Assessing client’s last status, explain catheterization procedure to patients, organize sterile field, and insert catheter properly.
o CVAD Care: de-accessing/accessing port; proper insertion and removal of Huber needle.
o ISI Insertion (BD Saf-T-Intima): Explain purpose of the medication and any other relevant information, properly inserting needle as required by procedure, documentation using Cerner Powerchart.
o ISI Insertion (Cleo): Explain purpose of the medication and any other relevant information, properly inserting needle as required by procedure, documentation using Cerner Powerchart.
o PICC Line Dressing Change: Remove old dressing, measure external catheter length and arm circumference, apply sterile Tegaaderm IV dressing, report signs of or symptoms of infection, complete documentation using Cerner Powerchart.
o Subcutaneous Injections: Explain purpose of the medication and any other relevant information, properly inserting needle as required by procedure, documentation using Cerner Powerchart.
o Suctioning a Tracheostomy/Tracheostomy Care: Checking order/policy, frequency of last suctioning, assess respiratory effort, lung sounds, O2 source, O2 sat, secretions, cough, trach site, and need for trach care, explain procedure, properly connect suction tubing as according to procedure.
This position must work a minimum of 1 shift per 6 weeks to keep job status.
Applications will be accepted until 9:00am on February 11 2025.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted. The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Hospice throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.
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