POSITION DESCRIPTION

Lutheran Aged Care - Overview

Lutheran Aged Care (LAC) Albury is a significant service organisation providing a range of aged care services across a number of facilities and the community designed to meet customer needs. LAC is an independently run, not for Profit Company primarily funded by the Commonwealth. The organisation has a business structure incorporating the Lutheran Church of Australia (NSW district), the Board of Governance and Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to this structure is Administration & Finance, Hotel Services, Property & Maintenance, Pemberton View and Nicholson Park Retirement Villages, Support Services (including pastoral care and volunteer coordination), Community Care, Dellacourt, Yallaroo and Emily Gardens locations. LAC employs approximately 340 staff (including casuals) comprising nursing, personal care, maintenance, management and administrative staff.

Role Objective

The Enrolled Nurse is responsible for (within a specified unit of the Facility) leading and assisting the activities of Care staff (Personal Care Workers) in the provision of high quality care for care recipients in line with Lutheran Aged Care’s Mission, Philosophy and Values. In addition, the Enrolled Nurse will ensure that recognised standards are adhered to in line with quality and accreditation standards and LAC Organisational Policies and Clinical Procedures.

Key Result Areas & Responsibilities

Care

• In conjunction with the Registered Nurse, provide clinical leadership to care staff to ensure care recipients receive safe, effective and appropriate care interventions.
• In conjunction with other staff, the care recipient, family members and a multidisciplinary team, plan and communicate care interventions based on a comprehensive assessment of care recipient needs for support, nursing and personal care needs.
• In conjunction with the Registered Nurse, ensure positive care recipient outcomes in line with care plans.
• Provide person centred individual care to care recipients that reflects a non-institutional approach and encourages independence, honours care recipient dignity and privacy while displaying empathy toward the care recipient.
• Monitor care recipient condition; report on changes to all parties and undertake appropriate actions.
• Implement initiatives designed to maintain or improve the quality of care and the quality of life outcomes for the care recipient.
• Act as a care recipient advocate to assist individuals to make choices and informed decisions.
• Assist with the collation of assessment and care information, as required, to complete the funding claim process.
• In conjunction with the registered nurse, as required, provide an effective handover of care recipient issues to change of shift staff.
• Maintain the confidentiality, dignity and respect of care recipients at all times.
• Ensure the safe and effective management of medication, infection control and Work Health and Safety practices.
• Actively participate in accreditation audits and ensure all activities in the workplace comply with accreditation requirements.

Compliance & Systems

• Ensure that systems that are in place are utilised by all staff to document care recipient care needs in line with LAC policy and government requirements.
• Actively evaluate care services and assist to develop systems to enhance the standards of care.
• In conjunction with the Facility Manager, Deputy Facility Manager, Unit Manager (Clinical Care Coordinator) and Registered Nurses, monitor and review care and service Clinical Procedures in line with standards.
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of contemporary practice in response to clinical issues identified within the unit/facility.
• Actively participate in and implement continuous improvement and quality processes.
• Effectively utilise management systems to accurately record and research data.
• Ensure the upkeep of the environment is maintained through regular inspection and reporting systems as part of your Work Health and Safety duty of care.
• Ensure equipment is in good working order, utilising maintenance systems to promptly report any defects or need for replacement.

Human Resources

• In conjunction with the Unit Manager (Clinical Care Coordinator) and Registered Nurse, manage the work practices of Carers (Personal Care Workers) and other staff (as appropriate) within the unit.
• Assist the Facility Manager, Deputy facility Manager, Unit Manager (Clinical Care Coordinator) and Registered Nurse with ongoing assessment of staff performance and provide regular feedback in line with LAC’s performance appraisal process.
• Ensure relevant staff comply with the Aged Care Code of Conduct, Nursing Code of Ethics, the Australian Nursing Council Competencies Standard and legislation affecting nursing practice.
• In conjunction with the Unit Manager (Clinical Care Coordinator) and Registered Nurse, ensure relevant care staff comply with appropriate Work Health and Safety practices, care standards and LAC policies and procedures.

Knowledge

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of contemporary issues relating to the aged care industry.
• Maintain an understanding of the Aged Care Act 1997, Health Services Act (NSW),

Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW) (1998), Nurses Act (NSW) (1991), Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act (2000), Guardianship Act (NSW) and the Aged Care AN-ACC Funding model.

• Maintain thorough knowledge of LAC’s policies and work practices including those related to employment conditions.

Work Health & Safety

• Take reasonable care for his / her own WHS ensuring that actions or omissions do not adversely affect the WHS of others in the workplace.
• Monitor and ensure the Work Health and Safety of all staff, care recipients, visitors, volunteers and work experience participants.
• Understand the operations and general hazards / risks in the workplace and monitor performance regarding incidents, hazards and risks.
• Participate in mechanisms for consultation with staff regarding WHS issues.
• Participate in consultation with staff and take into account their opinions prior to making a WHS related decision.
• Participate with the Management Team to establish a WHS plan and assist with monitoring for the relevant unit.
• Lead by example and provide visible commitment to WHS and procedures.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of WHS procedures.
• Participate in the development of formal Disaster and Emergency Management plans.
• Assist with managing and responding to disasters and emergencies to ensure the WHS of everyone.
• Monitor staff compliance with WHS policies, procedures and practices relevant to the unit.
• Ensure that staff work within their capacity, experience and training.
• Assist with the conducting of/participation in incident investigations, recording findings and making recommendations for improvement, as appropriate.
• Share control of the work environment and take immediate action to rectify any unsafe situations or acts.
• Consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with external agency staff or representatives of another organisation as appropriate.
• Liaise with WorkCover inspectors, union representatives, insurers and external return to work coordinators.
• Immediately advise the Facility Manager and Human Resources Manager of staff injuries, serious incidents and other incidents (including those involving unsafe practice).
• Consult with care recipients and families regarding the WHS implications of housekeeping and any equipment, appliances or personal items brought into the facility.
• Support injured staff working under return-to-work programs.
• Maintain equipment safety through recognised maintenance systems.

Team

• Participate as an active team member in department initiatives and projects as directed.
• Contribute to the effective operation of the team by leading and contributing at staff and team meetings.
• Provide assistance to other team members as identified/required/instructed.
• All other duties as reasonably requested.

Personal Qualities

• Honesty, initiative, reliability and discretion
• Leadership, cooperation and team participation
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathy and consideration for older persons
• Willingness to develop professionally
• Self motivation and organisation
• Flexibility and responsiveness

Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Previous experience in aged care nursing as an Enrolled Nurse including the clinical assessment and management of medical issues relevant to elderly care recipients.
2. Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team to provide positive outcomes in aged care.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary issues relating to the aged care industry.

1. Current knowledge and experience with AN-ACC funding priciples and accreditation standards.
2. Demonstrated leadership and team building experience within a care environment.
3. Ability to plan work, establish priorities and service standards and delegate effectively, relative to the role.
4. Well developed written and verbal communication skills with the ability to relate effectively to a wide range of people.
5. Well developed problem solving skills.
6. Demonstrated commitment to maintaining and developing professional skills.
7. Well developed computer skills.

Desirable

1. Post graduate education in Aged Care.
2. Experience utilising electronic documentation systems (progress notes/client records however termed).
3. Experience in the use of electronic rostering and time in attendance systems.

Relationships

This role has specific responsibility to develop strong internal and external relationships to facilitate the effective management of the role. Key relationships include:

Internal – Care Staff including Registered and other Enrolled Nurses, Allied Health and Lifestyle staff, Facility Manager, Hotel Services Staff, Maintenance Staff and all levels of management.

External – Care recipients and family members, medical practitioners and other external allied health providers, hospitals, pharmacies, contractors, temporary staff, community networks and Aged Care Regulatory bodies and their representatives as appropriate and delegated.