Registered Nurse (RN) Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOCN) - FT

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Full-time, day shift (Monday–Friday). No holidays or weekends required.

About the Role

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Clinical Nurse (WOCN) functions under the direction of the Nurse Manager and provides acute and rehabilitative care for people with select disorders of the GI, GU, and Integumentary systems. The WOCN serves as a resource to nursing and medical staff and is responsible for delivering in-depth, comprehensive patient care in complex, multiple-problem patient care situations. The WOCN independently performs job functions, upholds the voice of the patient, system policies, and procedures while supporting service excellence goals in a shared governance model. Clinical practice is executed using best evidence through continuous learning, formal education, active reading of professional literature, and reflective practice. The WOCN partners in care, anticipating and providing for patient care needs.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a consultant to physicians, providing evaluations of patients and developing individualized, evidence-based plans of care that address wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and continence issues at the specialist level.
• Responds to physician consult requests by writing orders within the WOCN scope of practice and standing orders for other nurses to follow.
• Determines type and frequency of wound/ostomy care using expert judgment, including modifications as the patient’s condition changes.
• Upon receiving a physician order for consult, marks patients for ostomy surgery, selecting optimal and alternative sites for the surgeon’s consideration; provides pre- and post-op education to the patient and family, and guidance for psychosocial, sexual, and body image adaptation to promote optimal outcomes.
• Performs the Nursing Process (assessment, diagnosis, identification of outcomes, planning, implementation, and evaluation) using evidence-based practice, analytical/critical thinking, and individualized care; coordinates care through effective partnerships.
• Provides relationship-based, patient-centered care by partnering with the patient and significant others using comprehensive hand-off communication, interdisciplinary evaluation, planned patient teaching, and keeping the patient’s goals the focus of the plan of care.
• Practices using current clinical practice standards with a focus on safety and quality.
• In the outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Unit:
  • Demonstrates knowledge of healing strategies for wound care and the role of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, including approved clinical indications and treatment protocols.
  • Delivers care immediately prior to, during, and following HBO treatment consistent with existing policies and documents all aspects of care.
  • Monitors and ensures proper delivery of treatment gas as ordered; monitors patients continually for symptoms of oxygen intolerance, claustrophobia, hypoglycemic reactions, decompression sickness, or other adverse reactions.
  • Under direction, appropriately intervenes in the event of an adverse reaction and follows established protocols.
  • Reinforces age-specific patient and family education on HBO therapy and related disease processes.
  • Performs ordered treatments (e.g., vital signs, blood sugars, emergency procedures) and documents required elements of each treatment clearly and concisely.
• Chamber Operations:
  • Demonstrates and applies basic knowledge of HBO chamber operations to ensure efficacy and safety.
  • Operates controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to prescribed policies and physician orders.
  • Maintains accurate logs and records of chamber operations (time, pressures, depths, etc.).
  • Performs maintenance of hyperbaric chambers and related systems under guidance; cleans chamber following each treatment per manufacturer and infection control policies.
  • Maintains emergency equipment and supplies in the HBO area; documents equipment checks as required.
• Serves as a clinical expert in hospital committees, community groups, and organizations (e.g., United Ostomy Association, Diabetic Outpatient Clinic, local home care agencies).
• Leads outcome evaluations, including quarterly NDNQI pressure ulcer prevalence; participates in improvement initiatives related to WOC nursing practice.
• Evaluates and develops product formularies and algorithms to support best practices for prevention and treatment of wound, ostomy, and continence conditions; facilitates specialty bed management for the bariatric population.
• Coordinates safe, quality patient care, including interdisciplinary communication, planning/rounds, timely documentation, and promotion of a respectful, inclusive environment.
• Demonstrates fiscally responsible teamwork and collaboration; supports performance improvement, research, and shared governance.
• Promotes evidence-based practice, nursing research, and performance improvement; participates in value analysis for patient care products.
• Upholds all organizational policies, procedures, clinical competencies, and regulatory/accreditation requirements (e.g., TJC Patient Safety Goals, WellStar safety absolutes).
• Participates in data collection and addresses clinical questions to advance evidence-based practice; consults appropriate experts and resources.
• Proactively plans care across the continuum; participates in developing protocols and procedures to achieve best practice outcomes.
• Supports efficient use of human and material resources.
• Precepts specialty students (WOCN Program), Nurse Practitioner students, and distance learning students; provides education and orientation to new hires and continuing education for existing staff on wound, ostomy, and continence issues.
• Ensures patient/family/staff confidentiality and corporate compliance; completes mandatory education and proficiencies.
• Serves as a preceptor/mentor for professional nurses and staff to model professional practice and create a healthy work environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned; complies with all WellStar policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of experience as a staff nurse in an acute care setting.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English; basic computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal, collaborative, and customer service skills.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced environment and respond to emergencies decisively and respectfully.
• Excellent time management, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act and Scope of Practice/Code of Ethics Standards (American Nurses Association).

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or diploma in Nursing (Bachelor’s preferred).
• Current RN license (single state or multi-state compact).
• BLS certification (Basic Life Support, American Red Cross, or Instructor).
• National certification in specialty area upon hire.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) preferred or provisional within 180 days.