Description

The Wound Care Nurse is responsible for the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of patients, specifically those with acute and/or chronic wounds, ostomy management and education as well as management of fistulae, tubes, skin, and incontinence issues. Works in conjunction with physicians, nursing staff and ancillary staff to evaluate, propose, plan and perform patient assessment and treatments.

Schedule: Full-Time, Weekdays; Weekends, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Becomes familiar with plan of treatment and current doctor’s orders prior to visit.
• Manages wound care program and oversees all wound treatments.
• Performs skilled nursing care, and patient teaching as needed.
• Adheres to agency, payroll, billing, and documentation policies and procedures.
• Turns in paperwork in at timely manner
• Participates in the company’s other mandated activities: e.g. In-services, staff meetings, mandatory online training modules.
• Knowledgeable of current federal, state, and agency regulations concerning patient care.
• Obtains all necessary physician orders and collaborates with physician as patient’s needs dictate.
• Confers with primary nurse and/or Team Leader re: referrals to other disciplines and/or community resources.
• Documents multi-disciplinary case conferences if they occur while covering for primary nurse.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Interprets data about the patient’s status and demonstrates skills necessary for each specific age group.
• Addresses and supports cultural practices, as long as such practices do not harm others or interfere with the planned course of medical therapy.
• Applies knowledge of ethical and legal aspects of care.
• Uses equipment and supplies safely and efficiently, and utilizes principles of cost containment.
• Follows all principles of infection control.
• Assesses clients with wound ostomy and continence issues and develops plan of treatment in conjunction with the patients, physician, case manager, and DON.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1-2 years of experience preferred.
• Must be an RN or LPN with Wound Certification Occupational and/or Physical Therapy and current licensure in the State of Virginia as a healthcare professional. 
• CPR certified and Certified Wound Care Specialist (CWS) and/or Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN).
• Requires tact, discretion, diplomacy, and ability to work effectively with others.
• Reads and writes in English, possesses an ability to communicate with patients, families, staff, physicians, support agencies, vendors, and others; has an ability to evaluate and/or interpret information and make independent decisions.
• Must have sensory skills to differentiate clinical signs and symptoms and the emotional stamina to deal with a variety of stressful situations including emergency response to patient incident.
• The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the lifespan and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status.
• The individual interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age specific needs.
• Must have temperament to deal professionally with disabled, disadvantaged, sick and injured persons.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 30 pounds.
• Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Must be able to reach, stoop, kneel, bend, lift and move intermittently throughout the work day throughout the facility.
• Must be able to work outside of normal work hours including nights, holidays, and weekends as needed to meet facility and position demands.
• Must be free of diseases that may be transmitted in the performance of job responsibilities during the stage of communicability.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times hostile people within the facility.