Wound Care Clinician

Wound Care Clinician Position

Position at Norwalk Hospital Association

Summary:

The Wound Care Clinician performs skilled nursing assessment and specialized care, including interventions, treatment and education to patients at risk for or with actual deficits in skin integrity, such as those with pressure ulcers, arterial, venous, diabetic and other types of wounds. The role includes case finding, consulting, making referrals, formulating treatment plans, educating the nursing staff and physician staff, auditing charts, collecting data and developing / managing quality improvement processes, developing / updating skin care policies and procedures. Reports to the Director of Nursing Quality and Professional Practice.

Responsibilities:

1. Wound Care Patient Management. Criteria A: Uses diagnostic skills to assess effectiveness of patient care decisions, performs wound therapeutic modalities with a full understanding of pathophysiology and indication for therapy and takes appropriate action if such therapy is contraindicated or side effects develop. Wound Care Patient Management. Criteria B: Assesses effectiveness of wound treatment, involves the physician in the plan and delivery of care, and makes referrals as necessary. Wound Care Patient Management. Criteria C: Instructs staff and develops staff member's wound care skills in managing the skin integrity and troubleshooting issues specific for each patient. Wound Care Patient Management. Criteria D: Teaches the patient and family about prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and other skin integrity issues.

2. Wound Care Procedures Criteria A: Prepares, evaluates, and instructs patients in wound management plans. Instructs the patient and family in new therapies and allows for questions to verify patient/family understanding. Wound Care Procedures Criteria B: Performs basic patient assessments, wound measurements and assessments, documentation, photography, etc., per policies. Wound Care Procedures Criteria C: Evaluates and recommends appropriate therapies in an objective, assertive, and professional manner; demonstrates critical thinking skills, assessment skills, and proper technique in identifying, diagnosing, staging, and treating skin integrity problems. Wound Care Procedures Criteria D: In collaboration with Wound Care Specialist reviews all policies, practice guidelines, and products at least annually to ensure that treatment remains state-of-the-art, and makes recommendations for changes as necessary.

3. Documentation Criteria A: Documents information in the appropriate record in complete detail. Documentation Criteria B: In collaboration with Wound Care Specialist will assist in developing and documenting wound care, determining quality indicators, analyzing data for trends, graph data and develop written and verbal reports. Documentation Criteria C: Implement competency checklists and teaching plans to assist in developing RN skin care and to develop skills of staff nurses and PCTs, commensurate with the scope of each discipline's practice. Documentation Criteria D: In collaboration with Wound Care Specialist reviews policies, guidelines, and forms for documentation of skin integrity issues, at least annually, and updates/makes revisions and recommendations as needed, and develops and/or revises teaching materials for patients and families.

4. Supports in implementation of a comprehensive Wound Care Program for Inpatient Services, the Emergency Department, and OR Services. Criteria A: Implements written plan for scope of services and updates on an annual basis, with standards and target goals for quality and process improvement. Assist in measuring goal progress and providing appropriate data/information to provide a written report delivered quarterly and for inclusion on the Nursing dashboard. Supports in implementation of a comprehensive Wound Care Program for Inpatient Services, the Emergency Department, and OR Services. Criteria B: In collaboration with Wound Care Specialist sets, revises, and reviews all policies and protocols related to prevention, diagnosis, case-finding, treating, and monitoring wounds and wound care. Supports in implementation of a comprehensive Wound Care Program for Inpatient Services, the Emergency Department, and OR Services. Criteria C: Will assist the Wound Care Specialist conduct trials and evaluations of any products and equipment prior to purchase or rental. Supports in implementation of a comprehensive Wound Care Program for Inpatient Services, the Emergency Department, and OR Services. Criteria D: Makes self available for consults to all services in the Hospital.

5. Provides Instruction and Clinical Supervision to Nursing Staff Members on Prevention, Treatment, and Management of all Patients with Skin Integrity Issues. Criteria A: Coordinates educational experiences for nursing employees related to wound care / skin integrity/and works closely with the clinical Nurse Educators in providing orientation to Wound Care program and in defining competencies related to wound care. Provides Instruction and Clinical Supervision to Nursing Staff Members on Prevention, Treatment, and Management of all Patients with Skin Integrity Issues. Criteria B: In collaboration with Wound Care Specialist develops teaching plans with measurable goals and outcomes, for staff members in need of remedial education and develops, evaluates and revises the design and effectiveness of wound care training module. Provides Instruction and Clinical Supervision to Nursing Staff Members on Prevention, Treatment, and Management of all Patients with Skin Integrity Issues. Criteria C: Evaluates nursing care delivered by Nursing Staff members, in identification, documentation, treatment, and management of wound care, and provides education as needed, serves as a resource and shares expertise with nursing / hospital personnel as requested. Provides Instruction and Clinical Supervision to Nursing Staff Members on Prevention, Treatment, and Management of all Patients with Skin Integrity Issues. Criteria D: Provides at least one formal inservice for the Division of Nursing each year.

6. Effectively utilizes supplies and equipment. Maintains a safe wound care environment. Criteria A: Review supplies available, standardizes unit based supplies for wound care. Criteria B: Complies with infection control, aseptic technique, handwashing and equipment changes. Criteria C: Keeps a neat, clean, working environment.

7. Performs other duties as assigned.

8. Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.

Education Skills Experience:

BACHELOR'S LVL DGRE

Other Information:

Required: Bachelor's Degree required. Currently licensed in CT as a Registered Professional Nurse. 5 years experience in an acute care area. Minimum Experience: five years Desired: Certified by Wound Ostomy Continence Society (WOCN) as a Wound Care Nurse (or certification must be achieved within 12 months of hire)

Credentials:RN,BLS

Company: Norwalk Hospital Association

Org Unit: 385

Department: Nursing Unit Wound Care

Exempt: Yes

Salary Range: $45.93 - $85.29 Hourly