RN - PCU

Wound and Ostomy RN

The Wound and Ostomy RN is responsible for providing direct and indirect patient care in inpatient care areas. The RN is expected to competently perform the patient care responsibilities within the assigned work setting. Responsibilities include the systemic collection and assessment of data in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to provide therapeutic care for the patient and family. The RN performs all required elements of a nursing assessment, functional assessment, and utilization of patient/family specific assessment as required. The RN considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering care. Decisions and actions on behalf of patients are determined in an ethical manner. Care is provided in collaboration with other nursing staff members. The RN delegates and supervises care in accordance with nurse practice acts and the professional nursing role. Provide wound and ostomy nursing care. Demonstrate expertise in wound and ostomy nursing and the nursing process through the provision of nursing care. Provide direct care in the hospital while systematically assessing the needs of the patient through interview, observation, and physical examination. Secure information about the medical plan of care and previous healthcare experience when applicable. Note progress in meeting defined outcomes on the multidisciplinary plan of care. Plan and organize individual nursing care for an identified group of patients. Administer individual nursing care, independently applying both simple and complex techniques and processes that are specific to the needs of the patient. Evaluate the nursing care administered to patients by self. Delegate care in accordance with Nurse Practice Acts and care guidelines. Evaluate and document patient responses to prescribed interventions. Complete delegated patient and family teaching, including providing information about unit and hospital policies, procedures, and provisions for self-care and participation in decision-making. Elicit patient and family participation in care in keeping with physiological and psychological readiness. Instruct the patient and/or family on disease process, risk factors, and prevention of complications to help them plan for care in the hospital and after discharge. Anticipate potential nursing and/or medical problems that may arise and initiate preventive measures. Assess the nutritional status of patients and communicate with the healthcare team. Report patient and family progress in meeting defined outcomes to physicians and other healthcare disciplines. Skillfully use the range of equipment, medicines, and other modalities relevant to the assigned work area. Demonstrate knowledge of purpose and expected outcomes. Provide concise communication regarding the patient's progress to nursing staff members and other healthcare practitioners. Possess knowledge of the principles of growth and development for the appropriate age group. Demonstrate the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status in relation to age-specific needs. Demonstrate abilities to interpret relevant information needed to identify each patient's nursing care requirements relative to age-specific needs. Demonstrate the ability to provide nursing care relative to the patient's age-specific needs. The Wound and Ostomy RN establishes satisfactory interpersonal relationships with co-workers, colleagues, patients, families, and significant others. Initiate communication with patients and family to determine individual needs. Initiate communication with co-workers and colleagues in other disciplines and departments to share and exchange information. Provide detailed patient education to patient and family members during the inpatient stay and at the time of discharge. Respond effectively, both verbally and non-verbally, to communications from patients, families, and colleagues. Decisions and actions taken on behalf of patients are determined in an ethical manner. Demonstrate sensitivity to the values of self and others. Involve patients and families in the plan of care, incorporating cultural and spiritual belief systems. Physical demands involve standing, walking, sitting, talking, hearing, and bending. This position may include some repetitive motions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care. The RN systematically collects and assesses data in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to provide therapeutic, evidence-based care for the patient and family. The Wound and Ostomy RN works collaboratively with the team to develop plans of care and documents progress toward achieving defined outcomes. Continuity in patient care is achieved through concise communication with patient care providers. Qualifications include the ability to prioritize and problem-solve and the ability to relate collaboratively with the healthcare team. A Bachelor's Degree is required, and a Master's Degree in nursing is preferred.