RN - Wound Ostomy Continence

One million people in North American have ostomies, and 70,000 new ostomy surgeries are performed each year. Recognizing that people with ostomies, fistulas, pressure ulcers and incontinence have special needs, Cleveland Clinic pioneered the Enterostomal Therapy (ET) Program, now called Wound, Ostomy Continence (WOC) Nursing.

Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing is a specialized field of nursing involving the care of patients with abdominal stomas, dermal wounds, pressure injuries, incontinence, and related skin conditions. WOC nurses are in demand in colorectal surgery, urology, pediatrics, oncology, and rehabilitation departments, to name a few. Their expertise makes them valuable not only in the hospital but also in outpatient clinics, private practice, home care, at extended care facilities, in industry and research, and in nursing education programs. Our department will giver you 2 years to obtain Wound Ostomy Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB) and will reimburse using tuition assistance program!

A caregiver in this position works days,7:00am—5:30pm. 

A caregiver who excels in this role will: 

• Perform comprehensive nursing assessment for those patients within scope of practice.  Collaborates with the physician and multi-disciplinary care team to coordinate ongoing patient care. Uses data to develop and implement nursing interventions as appropriate to meet patient care needs and facilitate the discharge process. Performs wound/ostomy/continence/skin care based on sound nursing theory, scientific principles, evidence-based practice, professional judgment, and individual patient needs.

• Follow patient along continuum of care. Assesses and triages patients appropriately.  Within scope of practice, monitors and documents patient's condition, effectiveness and timeliness of care and/or interventions; evaluates, updates and revises plan of care to facilitate achievement of planned and expected outcomes. Delegates appropriate components of the nursing care plan to other members of the nursing team. 

• Assess the educational needs of the patient and family/significant other considering cultural issues, age appropriate and other special concerns.  Provides teaching and educational material to patient and/or family members/significant others concerning subject matter as appropriate for the specific patient need which may include diagnosis, safe and proper use of equipment, medications, self-care, or nutritional needs.  Validates and documents patient and family understanding of teaching.  

• Design, direct, implement, and evaluate educational offerings based on knowledge, skills and learning levels of nursing staff for wound/ostomy/continence/skin patient care.  Works with the Nursing Institute to identifylearning needs of nursing personnel.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include: 

• Graduate from an accredited school of professional nursing

• BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

• Current licensure as an RN (Registered Nurse)

• Ostomy continence certifications through the Wound Ostomy Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB) within 2 years of hire. Incumbent will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the class and certification

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) certification

• One year of recent RN experience

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include: 

• Two years of recent RN experience