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ORTHOPAEDICS, DENTISTRY, ENT

Program Description:

Level 9 University Hospital provides patient centred care to orthopaedic, dentistry and ENT patients. Eighty percent of our patient population reflects our specialty of lower limb arthroplasty, total hip and total knee both primary and revision surgery.

General Information:

Number of Beds

• 38 acute care beds including:
  
• 36 Orthopaedic beds: 8 to 10 of these beds make up the postoperative observation unit
  
• 1 Dentistry bed
  
• 1 ENT bed

Average Length of Stay:

The length of stay for the orthopaedic patient is 3-5 days for lower extremity primary arthroplasty patients, 1-2 days for the ENT and Dentistry patients.

Team Composition:

The orthopaedic/dentistry/ENT program delivers patient/family centred care within a collaborative interdisciplinary team approach. The team is composed of:

• Physicians/Residents
  
• Registered Nurses/Registered Practical Nurses
  
• Nurse Practioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist
  
• Social Worker
  
• Physiotherapists
  
• Occupational Therapist
  
• Dietician
  
• Respiratory Therapists
  
• Communication Clerks
  
• Clinical Educator
  
• Pastoral Care
  
• Pharmacist
  
• Patient Service Associates/Technical Service Associate
  
• Clinical Unit Assistant
  
• Administrative Staff-Director, Manager, Coordinator

Nurse to Patient Ratio:

The program’s model is a modified Total Patient Care. There is skill mixing within the program with the ratio of RN to RPN not exceeding 80/20 ratios.

General Floor

• Day shift: 1:4
  
• Night shift: 1:6

Postoperative Observation Unit

• Days: 1:3
• Nights 1:4

Scheduling Information:

• Shift times-
  
• 0730-1930, 1930-0730, 0730-1530, 1530-2330, 2330-0730
  
• Shift options- rotations offered for 2 days, 2 nights, 5 off.
  
• 12 hour shifts, days and nights
• 8 hour shifts days, evenings, nights

Background Essentials:

• General Surgical experience preferred.
  
• Venipuncture preferred.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team
  
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
  
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of patient-centred care
  
• New graduates are encourage to apply to the program

Professional Assets:

· Registration with the college of Nurses of Ontario-required
· BCLS required
· Member of RNAO preferred

Professional Development:

• The Othopaedic/Dntistry/ENT program supports and encourages RN participation in LHSC and professional practice initiatives.
  
• The program offers a comprehensive orientation program including formal classroom sessions and clinical time with a preceptor. The amount of orientation is geared to
  the unique needs of the RN/RPN.
  
• The program encourages participation in the Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association –Forest City Regional Chapter. (F.C.R.C.)
  
• The Clinical Educator facilitates educational opportunities in an adult learning environment.

Student Consolidation:

The Surgical Care Program- Orthopaedics, Dentistry /ENT, supports the role of the student learner and offers a structured consolidation experience for the graduate. Level 9 offers consolidation experiences for the graduate of both the RN and RPN programs.

Program Links:

• Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association
  
• Canadian Orthopaedic Association
• Fowler Kennedy Sports Clinic
  
• Arthritis Society
  
• NAON
  
• Canadian Nurses Association- Orthopaedic Certification
  
• RNAO
  
• College of Nurses of Ontario

Contact Information:

Krista Morrison, Coordinator, Recruitment Services
(519) 685-8500 ext 32303
krista.morrison@lhsc.on.ca

Date Last Updated: September 2009

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