Registered Nurse (RN) - Wound, Ostomy & Continence (WOC)

Major Responsibilities:

• Develops, evaluates, coordinates and/or provides educational programs and/or materials related to ostomy and wound care management to meet the interests and needs of patients, family, staff, physicians, and the community. 

• Coordinates and provides care along the continuum with appropriate disciplines to establish and provide quality patient care. 

• Performs ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and documentation of patient care provision in response to ostomy care and modalities of wound care management therapy and recommends change to treatment protocols as needed. 

• Coordinates development and revision of policies and protocols as related to ostomy and wound care management in collaboration with nursing and other disciplines and medical staff based on evidence-based practices. 

• Serves as a consultant providing expert knowledge related to ostomy and wound care management support to physician, staff, patients, families, and instructors and students of nursing and allied health programs. 

• Tracks and supports outcomes to improve the quality of care along the continuum. 

• Evaluates and appropriately incorporates evidence-based findings in wound, ostomy, and continence care into clinical practice. 

• Plans, implements, evaluates and provides direct patient care plans based on the individual patient and family needs, situational and procedural complexities. 

• Consults with appropriate members of the healthcare team as indicated. 

• Sets priorities in planning and organizing patient wound and ostomy care. 

• Attends a minimum of 12 contact hours of education annually. 

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Registered Nurse licensure from the State of applicable state 
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required  
• Certification must be obtained within two years unless determined otherwise by the department leader . Additional education, training, certifications, or experience may be required within the department by the nurse leader.  

Education Required:

• Associates in Nursing required.

Experience Required:

• 3 years of clinical nursing required .  
• 1-year clinical specialty/subspecialty required .  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Ability to effectively manage a high stress environment resulting from patient volume 
• Is an effective team player 

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently throughout the workday .  
• Must be able to lift and support the weight of 35 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies .  
• Must be able to: push/pull with 30 lbs. of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.  
• Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine hand manipulation skills for IV insertion and other procedures/functions.  
• Maneuver foot pedals on carts or machines .  
• Perform physical safety interventions such as patient restraint and verbal de-escalation, if needed.   
• May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease. Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary .  
• Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or unit conditions .  
• Physical Abilities Testing may be required .  
• Additional department specific physical requirements may be identified for unique responsibilities within the department by the nurse leader.   

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.