RN - Wound Care Days

Must be trained in Wound Care and Ready to See Patients

Under the direction of the medical director and/or hospitalist provider, within the scope of his/her license and scope of training, utilizing age related criteria as needed, and using appropriate nursing processes, evaluates and assesses wounds/ostomies, performs wound care (dressing change, debridement, etc.) and ostomy procedures. Assists, when requested, with performance improvement activities, departmental organization, and supply stocking. Works closely with the inpatient departments for patient care continuity. Participates in departmental and hospital-wide committee/projects. Occasional staffing in wound center as needed.

Inpatient Nurse Responsibilities/Functions:

• Consults on inpatients as requested by physician or nursing order for wound/ostomy care and support surfaces
• Resource/Educator for inpatient nursing staff regarding wound/skin, ostomy, pressure ulcer prevention and continence issues
• Works with inpatient nursing and physician staff to educate patients/families in wound/ostomy/skin/incontinence care
• Engages inpatient nursing staff in a positive manner and empowers them to provide skin/wound/ostomy care to their patient
• Provides ostomy care for patients both inpatient and outpatient
• Maintains clear and accurate documentation of all patient care/education on all outpatients and inpatients seen
• Manages incontinence issues in patients with urinary and bowel dysfunction
• Demonstrates knowledge of staging systems of wounds
• Utilizes appropriate resources for patient care (i.e., VNA, DME, diabetes center etc.)
• Collaborates with other center and hospital staff about patient care to provide most effective care possible
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety.
• Prioritizes patient care effectively and efficiently
• Provides for the safety of the patients through appropriate use of equipment and supplies observing universal precautions.
• Manages outpatient ostomy patient scheduling and clinic visits
• Maintains up to date knowledge of wound care and ostomy products
• Outpatient Wound Center Clinical Responsibilities/Functions [as needed]
• Demonstrates knowledge of the Wound/HBO center patient population, equipment, wound care products.
• Documents nursing care (including education) on new & existing patients consistently within charting guidelines and provides necessary documentation for reimbursement.
• Performs wound care (i.e., dressing changes and debridement) per wound center competency using clean technique
• Outpatient Wound Center Non-Clinical Responsibilities/Functions [as needed]
• Locates emergency devices (i.e., oxygen/gas shutoffs, fire alarms, fire evacuation doors) and can verbalize role during emergency situations (i.e., code red, code blue, code strong, code pink, and disaster).
• Performs other duties as requested by medical director, coordinator, or director
• Seeks out and performs unit specific tasks between patient care visits.
• Attends/Reads and signs off minutes from 90 % of staff meetings

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Education: ASN Required, BSN preferred
• License(s): Current Maine RN license or compact license
• Certifications (s): BLS current or within 30 days of hire
• CWOCN/CWS preferred
• Experience: 1 -3 years preferred

Other Skills Required: Must be a team player, have strong communication skills as well the ability to multi-task