Wound Care Nurse

Description

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This job description is a record of the essential functions of the listed job. The job description provides the employee, CEO, Human Resources, applicants and other agencies with a clear understanding of the job, where it fits into the organization, and the skill and work requirements in relation to other jobs. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job description is not intended to limit normal change and growth. The hospital will make reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals who are capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

POPULATION SERVED

The position involves direct patient care for a population of patients between the ages of 18 and older. Age specific experience and/or special training and/or expertise is not required to serve this population.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Wound Care Nurse is responsible for implementing, coordinating, monitoring managing the hospital wound care program. Monitors and works to improve clinical outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of Wound Care Nurse:

Implements wound care program to include patient care protocols, documentation tools and wound care formulary. Establishes standards of care, competencies, policies and procedures in quality, cost-efficient, and effective skin care wound management for all clinical staff, including: Registered Nurses, Physical Therapist, Nursing Assistants, Dietician, and Medical Doctors. Empowers all clinical staff to effectively assess wounds, recommend appropriate protocols, and advocates with physicians. Educates staff on protocols that preserve integrity of the skin and promote wound healing. Oversees the ulcer prevention and management program including tracking and reporting pressure ulcers. Acquisition and appropriate use of specialty beds and other pressure reduction devices, compression devices and wound vacuum systems. Identifies patient’s needs and communicates that need to the patient’s physician.

Provides basic wound care training and orientation to all new nursing and therapy staff on hire; provides ongoing in-services and training relating to skin and wound care. Works with vendors to maintain cost effective wound care formulary. Participates in performance improvement activities. Participates in marketing programs as needed. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a valid State Licensed Nurse. The individual must have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, be dedicated to the provision of quality patient care, and use sound judgment in decision-making. Wound experience and CPR certification required. WCC is preferred or three (3) years of experience in Wound Care Management. Advanced cardiac life support certification required upon hire.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PATIENT

Based on their scope of practice and license/certification.

A. Initiates an on-going systematic assessment of the patient wounds through interview, observation, and physical examination.

1. Provides, plans, coordinates or manages nursing care, nursing services, and health education to patients/residents.

B. Interprets assessment data and information to develop a nursing care plan which contains problem identification, nursing diagnosis, nursing orders, approaches, interventions, short/long term goals, and discharge planning.

1. Develops nursing care plan utilizing nursing diagnosis
2. Assesses safety and fall risk levels for patients

C. Assures that medical orders are transcribed and processed accurately, and integrates the medical care plan into the provision of nursing care.

D. Assures that medication/I.V. administration is correct and according to the established nursing policies and procedures.

1. Looks up unfamiliar medications
2. Processes medication orders
3. Administers medications as ordered
4. Evaluates effectiveness of PRN medications
5. Verbalizes process for self-administered medications
6. Verbalizes patient education on identified medications
7. Verbalizes standing orders
8. Verbalizes policy and procedure for maintenance and care of central line catheters
9. Administers I.V. drugs

E. Provides for personal and environmental safety in accordance with hospital and nursing policies and procedures

F. Demonstrates skills in handling emergency and life-threatening situations

1. Locates and uses crash cart items
2. Calls Code Blue and Medical Emergency
3. Initiates CPR
4. Follows P&P and DNR

G. Assures that documents in the medical record are complete, factual, accurate and timely.

1. Documents materials and equipment used.
2. Verbalizes method to noting orders.
3. Documents discharge in chart.
4. Initiates and updates care plan as appropriate.
5. Provides discharge instructions.
6. Completes interagency transfer form.

H. Provides nursing care to meet patient needs:

1. Performs a complete head-t—toe assessment of each assigned patient per shift using proper documentation tools.
2. Acts promptly on changes in patient condition, utilizing proper documentation tools.
3. Performs basic ventilator management and trouble-shooting.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES TO UNIT STAFF

A. Provides direction and leadership in patient care to assigned personnel.

1. Acts as a team leader.
2. Makes assignments for team.

B. Prioritizes activities and plans for effective use of time for patient needs.

C. Communicates the plan of nursing care for each patient through reports, conferences, rounds, and patient care records.

1. Shift to shift report and shift huddle with aides
2. Delegates tasks to aides; monitors to make sure delegated tasks are completed appropriately.

D. Demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of nursing assistants in areas of new techniques, policies, and procedures.

1. Preceptor

E. Participates in the quality improvement activities of nursing.

1. Attends appropriate meetings

F. Communicates identified learning needs of self and others to the DON.

G. Adheres to established policies and procedures of the hospital and Nursing Department.

H. Actively participates on nursing committees.

I. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES TO SELF

A. Evaluates own performance and seeks opportunities for growth and expansion of skills

B. Takes initiative in upgrading and maintaining skills necessary to provide quality care to patients and leadership to assigned staff.

C. Acquires continuing education sufficient to maintain licensure and certification

1. Maintains current nursing licensure
2. Provides Human Resources and DON with a copy of current nursing license.
3. Maintains required competencies
4. Completes assigned program tracks assigned by DON/DSD.
5. Completes appropriate level of Clinical Advancement within established timeframes.

D. Membership in appropriate professional organizations.

E. Assumes responsibility for maintain/enhancing physical health and alleviating stress

1. Attendance

F. Demonstrates competency in a variety of nursing skills as demonstrated and evaluated on at least an annual basis.

1. Attends Annual Skills Fair

G. Displays a “customer service” attitude toward patients, visitors, and other staff members at all times.

1. Demonstrates basic telephone skills (how to answer, place on hold, and transfer a call.)
2. Utilizes intercom
3. Demonstrates how to page physicians or others on call.

H. Abides by all safety, infection control, and other guidelines as required.

1. Follows guidelines for caring for patients in isolation.
2. Utilizes hand-washing techniques.
3. Cleans equipment between patient usage.
4. Reports personal symptoms of suspected illness or contagious disease to the Employee Health Nurse.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of universal blood and body fluid precautions.

I. Promotes an ethic of continuous quality improvement in all matters associated with the position, and documents specific quality improvement implementation.

J. Performs all other tasks and duties as may be assigned.

K. Provides a level of competency to treat patients 18 and older.

1. Adults: 
2. Involves them with care planning by meeting any needs they identify during assessment.
3. Identifies their normal patterns of living and strives to attain them.
4. Geriatric
5. Strives to obtain understanding by speaking distinctly and moving slowly.
6. Involves family as much as possible.

IV. DRESSES AND PRESENTS SELF IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER AT ALL TIMES. ADHERENCE TO THE CORPORATE APPEARANCE POLICY IS REQUIRED

V. WEARS HOSPITAL ISSUED NAMETAG AT ALL TIMES WHILE ON DUTY

VI. CONDUCTS SELF ETHICALLY AT ALL TIMES

VII. UPHOLDS ALL SERVICE STANDARDS

A. Safety- We do no harm and create an error-free environment.

1. Follow environment of care plan
2. Follow established clinical practices
3. Routine assessment of the environment for high risks with immediate correction (look for dangerous things and fix them; identify high risk issues and fix them)
4. Pay attention to detail

B. Communication- We engage our customers in exchanging clear, timely and accurate information.

1. Listen carefully
2. Ensure understanding of treatment and services
3. Timely follow-up on commitments
4. Constantly learn about the customers and identify their needs

C. Courtesy-We treat everyone with respect, social sensitivity and professionalism.

1. We acknowledge our customers with a smile and treat them as welcomed guests
2. Listen to our customers
3. Look at each interaction as an opportunity to promote courtesy with our customers
4. We treat each other as we treat our guests
5. We strive to exceed our customer’s expectations

D. Presentation- We provide a positive customer experience through the appearance of our environment and employees.

1. Maintain a clean and organized environment, including workspaces
2. Control hospital odors
3. All employees are compliant with the dress code
4. All employees communicate in a professional and courteous manner , including body language
5. Protect the privacy of patients
6. Maintain a quiet atmosphere

E. Efficiency- We use resources appropriately to benefit the customer and the organization.

1. Availability, assessment and application of the resources 
2. Do it right the first time
3. Pay attention to details
4. Save steps through planning
5. Timely responses

Requirements

DEMANDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK, EQUIPMENT USAGE, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

PERCENTAGE OF WORK TIME 1-33% 34-66% 67-100%

Standing/Walking X 

Sitting X  

Twisting X  

Lifting/Carrying X  

Pushing/Pulling X  

Climbing (Ascending/descending) X  

Bending/Stooping X  

Using arm muscles frequently or for extended periods X  

Using leg muscles frequently or for extended periods X  

Using back muscles frequently or for extended periods X  

LIFTING REQUIREMENTS – Individuals in patient care positions are required to lift a patient with or without assistance.

2-10 Pounds X

11-20 Pounds X

21-30 Pounds X

31-40 Pounds X 

41-50 Pounds X  

51 Pounds or More X  

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Working in hot, cold, wet surroundings X  

Working outdoors X  

Working with or near chemicals X 

Working near radiation sources X  

Potential exposure to communicable diseases X  

Working with hazardous waste materials X 

Utilizing essential upgraded or adaptive equipment as industry standards require X 

Using hand tools X  

Operating vehicle X  

Potential for cuts and bruises X  

EXCHANGE OF IDEAS

Ability to express or exchange ideas X

Ability to understand communication of others with or without adaptive devices X

Ability to perform advanced level mathematics X

Ability to read at a secondary level X

WORKPLACE BEHAVIORS

I. RESULTS ORIENTATION – Meets current objectives and positions the organization for future growth. Completes daily tasks and assignments and processes large volumes of work associated with the operation of the department.

II. SOCIAL SENSITIVITY - Builds positive relationships based on respect for others. Demonstrates a helpful, positive attitude. Maintains effective communication with peers, medical staff, patients, visitors, and families.

III. QUALITY OUTCOMES – Meets and exceeds expectations of internal and external customers. All organizational and departmental standards regarding quality of performance are met. Demonstrates a strong commitment to confidentiality. Participates in quality improvement programs as directed.

IV. SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT – Demonstrates an awareness of and adherence to safety and legal requirements established at the facility with an emphasis on maintaining a safe environment for all persons working in the facility.

A. Accident/Injury Reporting – Reports any accidents, injuries, and unsafe equipment and conditions to supervisor by the end of the shift and reports any pre-existing conditions as identified by the ADA.

B. Unsafe Conditions – Immediately reports and corrects, if possible, unsafe conditions or equipment.

C. Workplace Standards – Compiles with relevant regulations, standards and policies governing safe workplace environment (OSHA, Accreditation, etc.)

D. Safety Techniques – Maintains current knowledge of all aspects of the facility’s safety program by attending safety-related training as mandated upon hire and thereafter as required by facility.

E. Modified Work – Accepts modified work assignments after receiving the physician’s release to return to work following an accident/ injury. 

F. Follows Prescribed/Recommended Treatment – Follows the prescribed/recommended treatment given by treating physician(s) after an accident/injury.

V. EDUCATION – Participates in required in-services and educational programs on an ongoing basis.

VI. ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY – Follows all facility guidelines outlining standards of attendance and punctuality. Responsible for reporting to and completing work at assigned times.

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS

Universal precautions will be observed in order to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials. All blood or other potentially infectious materials will be considered infectious regardless of the status. The category shown below is designed to communicate the risk of exposure for this particular position.

? Category I

Tasks involve light contact with moist body substances, non-intact skin or mucous membranes. Department procedures define and require use of minimum protective measures to perform the task.

? Category II

Tasks involve no contact with moist body substances, no-intact skin or mucous membranes; however employment may require performing unplanned Category I task. Appropriate protective measures are readily available.

? Category III

Tasks of employment involve no contact with moist body substance, non-intact skin or mucous membranes.