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We provide services in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, group homes and private homes.

Service levels include Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), personal care workers (PCW), home support workers (HSW), homemakers (HMK) and hospital sitters (SIT). All staff are required to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to attain and maintain competency.

Click any of the services below to read more.

The registered nurse uses nursing process to apply knowledge and skill from nursing and related health fields to promote, maintain and restore health, to prevent illness, to alleviate suffering, and to care for the dying. The (RN) identifies health problems with the individual, family and health care team, in order to define the client's needs. The nurse and the client work together to establish priorities and set realistic goals when planning and implementing nursing care to meet the identified needs. In order to do this, the nurse assumes responsibility for assessing, diagnosing, planning, coordinating, teaching, implementing, and evaluating nursing care in accordance with physician's orders and established nursing standards. The nurse cooperates with other members of the health team to provide optimum physical, emotional and spiritual care.

List of duties:

  • Carries out the physician's orders, using nursing judgement.
  • Prepares, updates and evaluates a client's care plan according to his/her needs. Recognizes the need for and utilizes opportunities for health teaching of client and family members.
  • Assumes legal responsibilities for the nursing activities he/she performs.
  • Documents all pertinent client information according to current documentation guidelines and standards.
  • In home care the nurse is able to wash / bath the client, help client get dressed, nail care, administer medications - oral and injections, catherization’s, enemas, establish and maintain intravenous infusions, sterile dressings, etc.
  • Light housekeeping duties and meal preparation are also included.
  • Completes additional duties as assigned.

The (LPN) shall provide all those services as based on the assessment of client needs and in accordance with company policies and procedures. Functions outside those assigned herein maybe on an emergency basis. The LPN performs all duties assigned to homemakers and home support workers as well as the following: More client assistance, mechanical lift transfers, administration of oral medications and s/c subcutaneous injections, enemas, non-sterile and sterile dressings, application of Ten's machine, application of slings, measures and records intake and output of fluids, chemastrips, tube feeds, etc.

The LPN can administer subcutaneous injections only if they have taken the pharmacology course and have been certified to do so. The LPN cannot take a verbal order from a doctor. The doctor must write the order. Physio/exercises ie. range of motion, post operative hip, etc. are included duties when ordered by a physician. Observation and teaching skills are also exercised daily.

The Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) classification is certified by the Province of NS.

Continuing care assistants perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Answer call signals; supply and empty bed pans; bathe, dress and groom patients; serve meal trays, feed or assist in feeding of patients and assist patients with menu selection; weigh, lift, turn, and position patients; shave patients prior to operations; supervise patients' exercise routines, set up and provide leisure activities for patients, accompany patients on outside recreational activities and perform other duties related to patient care and comfort.
  • Take patients' blood pressure, temperature and pulse; report or record fluid intake and output; observe or monitor patients' status and document patient care on charts; administer first aid in emergency situations; collect specimens such as urine, feces or sputum; administer suppositories, colonic irrigations and enemas and perform other procedures as directed by nursing and hospital staff.
  • Transport patients by wheelchair or stretcher for treatment or surgery.
  • Carry messages, reports, requisitions and specimens between departments.
  • Make beds and maintain patients' rooms.
  • Maintain inventory of supplies.
  • May perform maintenance tasks such as assisting with the set-up and maintenance of traction equipment, cleaning or sterilizing equipment, maintaining and repairing equipment, and assembling, setting-up and operating job-related equipment.
  • May transport patients between care facilities.

The personal care worker shall provide service including all duties of the homemaker and home support worker. The PCW can provide care to more than one client including floor duty in an institution. In addition, all PCW's must be able to work with a wide variety of clients with vastly different attitudes and needs. PCW training allows for more training in all areas of care.

The sitter/HSW performs all the duties assigned at the homemaker level and in addition performs the following duties: Mobilization activities transfers from bed to chair or reverse, from wheelchair to commode, turning and positioning, arm support or stand by assistance, assists client in walking, stair climbing, guidance and wheelchair operation. Hygiene activities: Bed bath, tub or shower assistance, help and supervision with shower aides, shaving, dressing and oral care, reminds client to take medications, etc.

The Homemaker (HMK) is an entry-level position in home care and is designed to perform activities the clients are unable to do for themselves. Many home care needs can be met by the homemaker. Their duties include meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship. They provide other essentials as well including escorting to an appointment or outing, supervision, or errands.

Do you have a loved one in the hospital that you would like someone to check on each day? Maybe someone to get them a newspaper, bring them a coffee, or just someone to hold their hand. Sitters are available to provide that companionship and supervision that can put your mind at ease. Sitters are available for any duration of service you may request. All staff are trained and experienced to provide the care that is needed to bring comfort to both client and family.

Qualified staff are available to provide foot care and cut fingernails and toenails on request. These staff have completed a 30-hour Foot Care - Basic course. The prerequisite to this program is to hold a current license as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. In order to check the condition of the feet and observe any abnormalities or changes that may occur, foot care should be done every 4-6 weeks. Equipment necessary for this procedure will be supplied by NNS.

Other related topics:

Clients can pay Nightingale by various methods

  • Direct Deposit (corporate clients)
  • Cheque or Money Order (via mail)
  • Cash (directly to care provider or at office)
  • Email funds Transfer (internet email transfers, call Nightingale to organize)

A call out visit is an hour of service or less. If the service that is needed requires only one function / procedure that can be completed in an hour or less the callout can be used. Some examples of functions / procedures that would require a call out visit include: foot care, medication administration, pre-pouring medications, a bath, meal preparation, etc. Door to door transportation costs may apply in addition to the hourly rate.

Must be done on a daily basis and any changes in the client's condition must be reported to the Nursing Supervisor immediately. All staff must exercise a high level of concern for client safety.

Include assisting and supervision of various personal aides (ie. raised toilet seat, commode, chair, foot cradle, bed cradle, other aides as prescribed by an appropriate professional. Assisting client with bowel and bladder maintenance (ie. bedpan, urinal, emptying colostomy and or catheter bags, changing depends etc.

Include meal preparation in accordance with Canada's Food Guide as well as special diet requirements (ie. diabetic. Meal planning, grocery shopping and recording how well client is managing his/her diet are all part of the PCW duties.

Employees can help client to make out grocery lists and accompany them or go alone to shop for groceries, or other household items. Staff can accompany clients on appointments or outings at any time. Staff do not utilize their vehicles in providing client transportation.

Total personal care of the client from simple measures to clients who are physically/mentally handicapped and require greater assistance.

It is the responsibility of the client to have the service requested and pre-approved before NNS can direct bill. A doctor's certificate with the request for service will be needed by the client to finalize this with their individual insurance company. Insurance forms are available at our office locations to be completed by NNS for submission to your company for payment.

NNS will require the following information to direct bill any insurance company:

  1. Name and address of insurance company
  2. Policy and/or contract numbers
  3. Signed authorization form
  4. Medical claim form (where applicable)

Any costs not covered by existing plans will be forwarded to the client for payment.

 

All NNS staff are bonded and insured under a comprehensive company liability insurance policy. This blanket coverage is designed to further safeguard the interests of Nightingale's valued clients.

Light housework involves a range of basic household duties performed to support daily living. Cleaning the bathroom, making the beds, changing the linen, preparing a meal, vacuuming the carpets are such examples. Laundry, ironing, and dusting are also included.

Some clients require 24-hour coverage but have good sleeping patterns. They may only be up once or twice through the night. A live-in may be requested. A live-in staff stays for at least one day at a time with the client. During the course of a live-in staff must never leave the client alone unless instructed differently by the office personnel. The client is to provide all meals for the staff on a live-in. Staff will eat and sleep at the client's home. Staff should bring their own snacks. Staff must ensure that the client is settled for the night before retiring themselves. Client is to provide a bed or a cot for the staff member to sleep on. Staff must meet the client's needs during the night for example - assistance to go to the bathroom. Staff must abide by the client's wishes at all times for example - no watching TV after a certain time.

Employees are responsible for their own transportation except in cases where the client lives in a non accessible location. The client in these circumstances will be billed the current NS provincial approved mileage rate to and from their residence to the location designated as non accessible.

Mileage Rate – 44.15 cents per kilometer 2018 (subject to change).

In addition to transfers and lifts the personal care worker is trained to use mechanical lifts and walking aide appliances (ie. braces, canes, crutches, walkers, etc.)

Nursing Assessment constitutes a process, which identifies the immediate and long term needs of the client. It is usually the first component of home care initiated by the request for service. The nursing supervisor completes the comprehensive needs assessment in the privacy of the client's home. It is at this time in collaboration with the client and or family the needs are introduced and the care planning is set into motion. The assessment includes the client's medical history, allergies, medications, present health condition, and daily routines. The care required is based on the assessment and varies for each individual client. A record of care is left at the home for the caregiver, doctor, and also for the family members to feel free to read at anytime.

Various service levels have different rates for billing purposes. During the intake or inquiry for service the rate of billing will be given by the Nightingale representative. If service is requested a service contract with the defined rates will be defined. Federal Goods and Services Tax is applicable to all non-registered services unless exempted by law.

This is heavy cleaning including ceilings, walls, ovens, floors, windows, ceiling fans and light fixtures, and blinds. Cupboards and refrigerators can be cleaned at this time. Other duties can be requested and client will be instructed as to what service category the request falls into.

Designated statutory holidays are billed as per Nova Scotia Labor Standard board regulations. The law requires that staff must be paid at 2.5 times the regular hourly rate and billing is also done at 2.5 times the regular rate.

The following (6) six days are designated as Statutory Holidays by Nightingale Nursing Services:

  • New Years Dat
  • Heritage Day
  • Good Friday
  • Canada Day
  • Labour Day
  • Christmas Day

Nightingale Nursing Services provides a staffing service to clients but we are not organized to procure medical supplies for clients. Should we be requested to purchase, supply & deliver medical products the client will be billed at an appropriate service rate.

All NNS staff are protected from work related injury through the Nova Scotia Workers Compensation Board.

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