Director of Staff Development & Wound Care Nurse
Ryders Health Management · Waterford, CT · 2 mo ago
On-siteEducation$85k–$110k/yrFull-time
Job Summary
Are you an experienced and compassionate nursing professional with a passion for both clinical education and wound care management? We are seeking a dedicated Director of Staff Development / Wound Care Nurse to join our skilled nursing and rehabilitation community. This leadership role is ideal for a nurse who is committed to promoting excellence in resident care through staff education, clinical support, and effective wound management practices.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the facility’s orientation and ongoing education programs for nursing and care staff, ensuring employees are properly trained and prepared to provide high-quality resident care.
- Plan, conduct, and evaluate in-service and competency training programs in accordance with facility policies and state and federal regulations.
- Maintain accurate records of orientation, in-service attendance, skills assessments, certifications, and educational documentation to ensure compliance.
- Conduct educational needs assessments in collaboration with nursing leadership to identify opportunities for staff development and clinical improvement.
- Monitor staff competency through observations, skills checks, and performance evaluations; provide remediation and additional education as needed.
- Serve as a mentor and clinical resource for nursing staff, promoting professional development and reinforcing best practices in resident care.
- Cook up specialized training initiatives including wound care education, infection prevention, emergency preparedness, safety protocols, and compliance-related training.
- Conduct comprehensive wound and skin assessments for residents and document findings accurately and timely.
- Develop, implement, and update individualized wound care treatment plans in collaboration with physicians and interdisciplinary teams.
- Perform wound treatments and dressing changes in accordance with physician orders, facility protocols, and evidence-based practices.
- Monitor and track wound healing progress, identify changes in condition, and communicate concerns promptly to providers and nursing leadership.
- Lead and participate in weekly wound rounds and skin integrity meetings.
- Ensure accurate and compliant documentation related to wound assessments, treatments, measurements, and outcomes.
- Provide education and guidance to nursing staff, residents, and families regarding wound prevention, skin integrity, and treatment protocols.
- Collaborate with the Director of Nursing and Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI) committees to support quality improvement initiatives, survey readiness, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure availability and proper use of wound care supplies and equipment.
- Stay current with industry regulations, standards of practice, and evidence-based approaches related to staff education and wound care management.
- Provide leadership during facility surveys related to staff education, competency, wound care, and clinical compliance.
Qualifications
- Valid, unrestricted RN license in Connecticut.
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program (BSN preferred).
- Minimum clinical nursing experience, ideally 2–3 years in long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or related healthcare settings.
- Experience in staff development, nursing education, wound care management, or clinical leadership preferred.
- Wound Care Certification (WCC, CWCN, WOCN, or equivalent) preferred, or willingness to obtain certification within a designated timeframe.
- Current CPR/BLS (or equivalent) certification as required by facility policy.
- Strong clinical assessment, wound management, and documentation skills.
- Knowledge of pressure injury prevention, wound treatment protocols, infection prevention, and skin integrity management.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills with the ability to educate, mentor, and motivate staff.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and maintain accurate records.
- Comfortable working in a long-term care or skilled nursing environment (experience preferred).
- Be able to read, write and understand English.
- Able to work independently while serving as a clinical leader and educational resource throughout the facility.