Overview
Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. Operating room technicians prepare patients and provide assistance to medical practitioners prior to and during surgery. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are employed in hospitals.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Licensed practical nurses
Provide nursing services, within defined scope of practice, to patients based on patient assessment and care planning procedures
Perform nursing interventions such as taking vital signs, applying aseptic techniques including sterile dressing, ensuring infection control, monitoring nutritional intake and conducting specimen collection
Administer medication and observe and document therapeutic effects
Provide pre-operative and post-operative personal and comfort care
Monitor established respiratory therapy and intravenous therapy
Monitor patients' progress, evaluate and document effectiveness of nursing interventions and collaborate with appropriate members of health care team
Provide safety and health education to individuals and their families.
Operating room technicians
Prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving and sterilizing the patients' operative areas
Assist in surgery by laying out instruments, setting up equipment, assisting surgical teams with gowns and gloves and passing instruments to surgeons
Monitor patients' status during surgery, such as intake, output and loss of blood, and communicate and document any changes
Clean and sterilize the operating room and instruments.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$50,054
$64,654
$68,825
Job openings
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Strong job outlook
British Columbia
1,979expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of a vocational, college or other approved program for licensed practical nurses is required.
Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
Completion of a registration examination is required in all provinces and territories.
Additional information
- Working under the direction of a medical practitioner or registered nurse is not required for licensed practical nurses in all jurisdictions.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Licensed practical nurses in B.C.
- BCCNM Registration - LPNs
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Licensed practical nurses in B.C.
- Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - LPNs
BCCNM Registration - LPNs
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a licensed practical nurse in B.C., you need to register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives. Eligibility is achieved by completing a recognized practical nursing education program and successfully writing the Rex-PN regulatory exam.
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - LPNs
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a licensed practical nurse in B.C., you may choose to become certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Eligibility is achieved by being a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or nurse practitioner, work experience, and/or specialty education.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.