Enterostomal Therapist CWOCN - Full-Time

Enterostomal Therapist CWOCN

A registered professional nurse employed by Erlanger Medical Center is responsible for coordination of direct and/or indirect care of the Enterostomal Therapy (Wound, Ostomy and Continence) patient. The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures.

Education: Required: BS required with completion of a course in training at an accredited school for Enterostomal Therapy (Wound, Ostomy & Continence) within 1 year. Board Certification in Enterostomal Therapy (Wound, Ostomy and Continence, Wound and Ostomy) within 1 year. Preferred: Master's.

Experience: Required: Knowledge of general nursing principles and practice skills; knowledge of organizational functions, policies and regulations; knowledge of current trends and new developments; knowledge of principles and practices of nursing, applicable to those areas requiring special education. 2 Years minimum as Enterostomal Therapist or Wound Care Team.

Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration Required: Current licensure to practice nursing in the State of Tennessee. BLS completed prior to going to the unit/department and maintained going forward. Board Certification in Enterostomal Therapy (Wound, Ostomy and Continence, Wound and Ostomy) within 1 year.

The Enterostomal RN sees both in-patients and out-patients. Assists with development of wound care program, updates and educates regarding wound care management. The E.T. nurse will occasionally see patients at other Erlanger campuses or other facilities with which Erlanger has agreements, including North Seniors, East, Children's. He/she will be called on to see pre-operative patients to mark the ostomy site and will do intense post-op teaching to prepare patient to care for himself at home. These patients may come back on an out-patient basis for further teaching or for assistance with appliances. In-patient pressure ulcer prevention education is part of this nurse's responsibility as well as providing suggestions to physicians on a variety of wound care issues, instructing the bedside nurses in basic wound care, and managing the more complex patients during their hospital stay. The E.T nurse works very independently and is responsible for evaluating and treating wounds of multiple etiology. The E.T. nurse is also responsible for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy dressing changes.

Responsibilities of the E.T nurse include: Assists with routine care that promotes skin integrity. Identifies patients at risk for pressure ulcer development and provides appropriate preventative care using established protocols. Recognizes patients at risk for skin tears and incontinence associated dermatitis and assists with the preventive care and treatment. Identifies and addresses causative and contributing factors to skin breakdown. Assesses and addresses systemic factors affecting wound healing. Provides ongoing and comprehensive assessment and documentation of wound status and wound healing progress. Selects appropriate dressings to maintain a physiologic environment for wound healing. Identifies patients who may need a referral for surgical debridement or with a wound treatment center. Applies compression wraps when ordered and appropriate. Provides education regarding skin, wound care, and ostomy care to patients, families, and staff. Maintains appropriate inventory of products for skin and wound care. Participates in quality improvement programs. Leading the wound care committee meetings. Monitoring and updating policy and procedure via evidence-based practice. Evaluating and treating wounds of various etiologies. Applying and maintaining Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (vac) dressings.