Wound Care Coordinator FT

Kindred Hospital Houston Medical Center and Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) provide specialized care for patients with complex medical needs. Our long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) offers advanced, hospital-level treatment for chronically and critically ill patients requiring extended stays. In addition, our Acute Rehabilitation Unit is dedicated to helping patients recover from the effects of acute injuries, impairments, or illnesses. With a focus on personalized care, both the LTACH and ARU collaborate with your physician to provide 24/7 clinical care, ensuring continuous support on your path to recovery.

Job Summary

Manages facility wound care program including standards of care and practice related to wound, ostomy, and continence patient care needs. In addition, will provide direct patient care and assistance to staff nurses, and act as consultative service to affiliated healthcare agencies. 

Essential Functions

• Develops and implements the facility wound care program in conjunction with the national standardization process, to include patient care protocols, documentation tools, wound care formulary and WCC referral criteria. 
• Establishes standards of care, competencies, policies and procedures in quality, cost efficient and effective wound care for all clinical staff. 
• Acts as primary consultant to Wound Care Clinicians. Serves as a consultant to facility staff and advocates with physicians; through training and support, enables clinical staff to effectively assess wounds, recommend appropriate protocols, and initiate plans of care. 
• Provides ongoing education to staff on products available for use in hospital. 
• Evaluates all wounds upon admission and ongoing to determine treatment plan and provide early problem identification. 
• Provides consultation and/or assessment on patients with pressure injuries. Consults on any wound that does not show measurable signs of healing within two weeks. 
• In consultation with the physician, assists the primary nurse in developing an appropriate plan of care for comprehensive wound management and wound prevention. 
• Makes recommendations to the physician for changes to wound care orders and provides evidence-based research support as needed. 
• Reviews medical records of patients with wounds. Ensures that wound assessments, care plans, and treatments are clearly and correctly documented and that appropriate wound related treatments are being provided. 
• Investigates all cases with adverse events related to wounds through the completion of root cause analysis (RCA) and develops, in conjunction with nursing leadership, action plans based on RCA findings. 
• Participates in clinical outcome monitoring, follow-up and agency performance improvement initiatives. 
• Participates in CMS quality data reporting through completion of wound related LTRAX data set records. 
• Collaborates with Support Center Clinical Operations staff to maintain a cost-effective wound care formulary. 
• Assists as needed with training of new hire Wound Care Coordinators within the Hospital Division. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills sufficient for establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with all hospital departments, and for the effective instruction of individuals and groups including patients, their families 
• Ability to adapt to new situations, set priorities, and use problem-solving techniques. 
• Knowledge in wound care consistent with NPIAP, AHCPR, WOCN, and CDC guidelines. 
• Knowledge in wound debridement's as indicated within level and scope of practice. 
• Ability to serve as resources to nursing staff in complex wound management. 
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop others individually and as a team. 
• Program management skills. 
• Must read, write and speak fluent English. 
• Must have good and regular attendance. 
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0% 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Degree from an accredited nursing program. 

Licenses/Certifications

• Current state RN license; BSN preferred.
• Professional certification WOCN CWS, or WCC or obtain certification within 12 months of employment.
• BLS required

Experience

• 1-3 years licensed professional nursing experience with previous experience as an acute care nurse.