Registered Nurse (RN)-Wound Care

Job Description

Job Description

Position SummaryThe Wound Care RN provides skilled nursing care to patients with acute, chronic, and complex wounds under established clinical protocols and provider-directed plans of care, including wound assessment, treatment, patient education, documentation, care coordination, and infection prevention, working closely with physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and the interdisciplinary team.A national wound care certification is not required but is ideal. RNs without certification who have a strong desire to specialize in wound care are encouraged to apply; the organization offers precepted clinical hours to help build wound care competency toward certification.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesWound Assessment & TreatmentPerform comprehensive wound assessments; document location, measurements, drainage, tissue appearance, odor, surrounding skin condition, and pain.Monitor healing progression and recognize abnormal findings, promptly reporting changes to the treating provider.Implement treatments per provider orders and protocols: cleanse wounds, perform dressing changes, apply prescribed dressings/products, and assist with debridement and advanced procedures within RN scope.Monitor patient tolerance and response to interventions.Clinical Support & Care CoordinationPrepare patients, treatment areas, and supplies for wound care visits; assist providers during exams and procedures; obtain vital signs and relevant history.Facilitate provider orders for labs, imaging, cultures, home health, DME, and specialist referrals; follow up on results and route significant findings.Communicate and coordinate care with physicians, NPs, home health agencies, SNFs, hospitals, pharmacies, and other care partners, including transitions of care.Documentation & ComplianceComplete accurate, timely documentation of wound measurements, interventions, patient response, and education provided at each encounter.Maintain records in compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, state Board of Nursing requirements, and CMS and other payer documentation/coverage requirements.Participate in wound outcome monitoring, quality initiatives, clinical audits, and ongoing wound care education.Patient & Caregiver EducationEducate patients/caregivers on provider-directed wound care, infection warning signs, dressing-change technique, and factors affecting healing (offloading, compression, nutrition, glycemic control, mobility, etc.).Assess understanding of home care instructions and reinforce treatment adherence and follow-up.Infection Prevention & SafetyFollow standard precautions, infection prevention protocols, and requirements for cleaning, disinfection, and disposal of supplies/instruments.Monitor for signs of infection or systemic deterioration and escalate immediately; follow sharps/biohazard/exposure procedures.Certification: Ideal, Not RequiredA current, active national wound care certification (e.g., CWCN, CWON, CWOCN via WOCNCB; WCC via NAWCO; or CWS via ABWM) is ideal but not required to be considered for this role.For RNs who join without certification but have a strong desire to specialize in wound care, the organization offers precepted clinical hours with a wound care nurse or provider to help build the hands-on competency and experience relevant to national wound care certification eligibility.Minimum QualificationsCurrent, unrestricted RN license in the state of practice; graduate of an accredited nursing program; current BLS certification.Ability to maintain required facility credentials and professional requirements.Preferred QualificationsCurrent national wound care certification (or strong desire to specialize in wound care and build toward certification through precepted hours); previous wound care experience (diabetic ulcers, pressure injuries, venous/arterial wounds, surgical or traumatic wounds).Experience in outpatient wound care, hospital, home health, skilled nursing, or post-acute care; EHR experience; knowledge of CMS/payer documentation expectations.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesStrong nursing assessment and documentation skills; knowledge of wound healing and infection prevention principles; excellent patient/caregiver education and communication skills; effective interdisciplinary coordination; strong organization and time management. Candidates interested in building toward certification should bring motivation and self-direction to complete precepted hours.Physical Requirements, Work Environment & Scope of PracticeMay require prolonged standing/walking, bending, positioning/transferring patients, and lifting or moving equipment/supplies (with or without reasonable accommodation), across outpatient clinics, hospitals, SNFs, assisted living, patient homes, or other approved settings. The RN does not independently diagnose, prescribe, or establish a medical treatment plan; all services are performed per the state Nurse Practice Act, organizational policy, provider orders, and applicable facility/payer requirements. This description reflects the general nature of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties.