Job Description

Responsible for working with other healthcare professionals to help treat patients with various injuries, illnesses or disabilities. Monitors patients, administers medications, keeps records, consults with healthcare providers, educates patients and more.


Principal Accountabilities:

1. ASSESSMENT Performs patient assessments, implements care plan, adheres to established standards of care. Identifies the physical, psychosocial and teaching/ learning needs of Outpatients/Inpatients with wounds and/or ostomy patients. Maintains a systematic approach to pertinent data collection from the patient or family/caregiver as appropriate and documents data in the electronic medical record. Collaborates with patients, physicians, family, significant others and other healthcare professionals to obtain pertinent data to help develop plan of care. Reports all data to physician.

2. CASE MANAGEMENT The RN will have a physician(s) assigned to manage the patients needs. This will entail the following: weekly meetings with assigned WHC physician to go over patients not meeting benchmarks-4 week 20% healed, 8 week 60% healed, 12 weeks 90% healed, 16 weeks 100%. Accepts accountability for meeting patient care needs including but not limited to: home care, DME orders, communication with all providers involved in the patients care. Discuss and change plan of care as needed to obtain ultimate wound outcomes. Answer patient/VNA calls regarding wound care, supplies or other issues and report back to assigned physician as necessary. To review all test results with assigned physician and revise plan of care as necessary. Has a working knowledge of and adheres to the policies and protocols of the department. Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills for non-routine issues.

03. PLANNING Develops an individual plan of care and goals with patient, family, significant other and physician. Identifies and prioritizes expected outcomes and goals in planning patient care based on wound healing best practices and program guidelines. Identifies and involves the multidisciplinary team to meet each individual patients needs and concerns through the development of goals and anticipated outcomes. Maintains communication between interdisciplinary team to carry out plan of care, ie: Hyperbaric medicine, visiting nurses, primary physicians and other healthcare professionals as needed.

04. IMPLEMENTATION Implements plan of care, adheres to established wound healing program guidelines for care and provides care as ordered by the wound healing physician. Performs all procedures and treatments according to established wound healing policies, protocols and best practice guidelines. Encourages patient and family to participate in activities of daily living. Administers medication, dressings and treatments according to wound healing physician orders. Contributes to the development of Standards of Care. Serve as a resource to hospital staff, physicians and other healthcare professionals. Orients members of the healthcare profession to the current standards for wound or ostomy care using best practice.

5. EVALUATION Evaluates effectiveness of the plan of care and revises as appropriate utilizing best practice guidelines, the program policies and protocols. Recognizes and evaluates patient response to treatment and nursing interventions. Revises and updates patient plan of care as needed and readily recognizes and evaluates family/caregiver response to treatments and nursing interventions.

6. DOCUMENTATION Maintains complete and accurate documentation in the electronic medical records. Documents all aspects of the patients encounter including response to treatment, family/caregiver response to treatment/nursing interventions. Documents patient/family teaching and their responses, discharge information and revised plan of care (if needed).

7. SAFETY Maintains a safe environment, recognizes emergency situations and takes appropriate action, demonstrates good hand hygiene and infection control as per program policy. Demonstrates essential knowledge of pharmacology when administering medications. Demonstrates essential knowledge of safety plan, emergency equipment and procedures. Adheres to the National Patient Safety Goals such as two patient identifiers (name and DOB). Avoids use of prohibited abbreviations. Performs daily checks of Glucometer and crash cart. Maintains safe, clean environment for patients, visitors and staff.

8. COLLABORATION Collaborates with physicians, care managers and staff in both the acute care setting and outpatient setting to facilitate the continuum care spectrum and to optimize positive patient outcomes. Participates in Shared Governance committees as assigned and shares the information within the unit during staff meetings.

9. EDUCATION Demonstrates professional practice responsibility; fulfills mandatory education obligations. Identifies areas for clinical and professional growth such as attaining national certification, attending pertinent education offerings, attaining specialty certification, and achieves RN PACT. Fulfills professional responsibility for mentoring all staff and sharing knowledge.

10. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE RESPONSIBILITY Demonstrates professional manner is all aspects of role. Works cooperatively with staff to maintain an efficient functioning unit. Participates in unit meetings, in-services and projects. Seeks new information to broaden knowledge base and keep practice current. WOCN share clinical expertise with colleagues. Set daily acute care schedule that meets departments productivity expectations. Applies new knowledge/research to modify and improve practice. Provides orientation to floor nurses and patient care technicians as delegated by the WHC nursing educator.

Qualifications

Required:
1. Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program.
2. Current state licensure as a Registered Nurse.
3. BLS certification.

Preferred:
1. Bachelor's degree in nursing.
a. All ASN must complete their BSN studies within five years of their start date.

2. Wound Care Certification
3. Master's degree in nursing or related field.
4. 1+ year of experience in Nursing or relevant area.
5. ACLS certification.

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