Registered Nurse - Wound Care Specialist

Summary The Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent— evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants—as appropriate to the setting. Identifies and institutes preventive and treatment measures and monitors results of wound care delivered. Provide colleagues with useful tools to improve wound care knowledge— assessment—and management skills. Qualifications English Language Proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program Upon achievement of a State license – the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing – possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State – Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States – or the District of Columbia Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements – but do not possess the required licensure – may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision – All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification Grade Determinations: The following Scope – Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates – and if appropriate – the level within a grade The Dimension requirements (Practice – Veteran/Patient Driven Care – Leadership – Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I – Level I Delivers fundamental – knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing – with no additional professional nursing required Nurse I – Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts – cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required Nurse I – Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I – Level 2 OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level 2 OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3 OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3 OR a Master’s degree in a related field with BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3 OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership – experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience – one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Master's degree in a related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience – one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over) Straight Pulling – Pushing – Walking – Standing – Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands and legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other Both eyes required Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) Emotional/Mental stability Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift) Duties The Wound Care Specialist RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: 1 Provides expert hands‑on care for individual patients with acute or chronic wounds (e.g., advanced treatment modalities, conservative sharp instrumental wound debridement of devitalized tissue or chemical cauterization per physician order – etc.) 2 Serves as a consultant to provide insight and potential solutions for complex clinical cases to improve patient care and outcomes 3 Uses judgment and critical thinking skills to assess – diagnose – and identify outcomes, develop and implement an individualized care plan and evaluate care of the patient with an acute or chronic wound 4 Uses evidence‑based assessment techniques – instruments – tools – and available data and information to identify problems and needs of the patient with an acute or chronic wound 5 Collects pertinent data (e.g., biological – physical – functional – psychosocial – etc.) using a systemic process to identify the patient’s needs 6 Synthesizes and prioritizes assessment data to provide focused care for the patient with an acute or chronic wound 7 Assess the impact of family dynamics – and cultural and religious beliefs on the patient’s care needs 8 Formulates culturally sensitive – expected outcomes based on the assessment and diagnosis 9 Uses evidence‑based knowledge and research findings to guide practice and develop strategies/interventions to manage care to achieve appropriate goals and outcomes for patients with acute or chronic wounds 10 Assists the patient with an acute or chronic wound identify options for care 11 Conducts an ongoing evaluation of the goals and outcomes for management of the patient with an acute or chronic wound and uses assessment data to revise/modify the diagnosis – outcomes – plans – and strategies as warranted 12 Engages the patient with an acute or chronic wound in self‑care to maximize independence and achieve goals for quality of life 13 Articulates the role and responsibilities of the WOC nurse to team members 14 Leads interprofessional teams to communicate – collaborate – and consult effectively and ensure that safe – effective – efficient – timely – patient‑centered – and equitable care is provided for the patient with an acute or chronic wound 15 Coordinates care for the prevention and management of complications 16 Develops and implements evidence‑based educational programs for patients – staff – and other healthcare providers 17 Evaluates and updates processes – policies – procedures – and protocols/guidelines for care of patients with acute or chronic wounds and recommends revisions when warranted or annually 18 Provides leadership and execution in the design of quality improvement initiatives to optimize outcomes of care for patients with acute or chronic wounds 19 Advocates for the patient with an acute or chronic wound (and for the specialty and professional practice) to ensure the availability and access for the patient to specialty care services – resources – and supplies including insurance coverage 20 Facilitates/coordinates use of systems and community resources to implement and enhance care of patients with acute or chronic wounds across the continuum of care 21 Other duties as assigned Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience in wound ostomy care Wound Certificate as either a WOCN – WOCNCB – or CWS VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary – regular salary increases – potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr