RN- Wound Care (temporary position)

About the Role

The staff RN, under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, will perform the primary function of an RN in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of patients in the Wound Center. This role involves meeting established Wound Care Standards of Nursing Practice, assisting panel physicians with wound treatment plans, and participating in performance improvement activities. The staff RN is responsible for administering hyperbaric oxygen therapy and diagnostic testing under the supervision of a hyperbaric physician, adhering to federal and state laws, JCAHO Standards, and professional and ethical practices.

Responsibilities

• Recognize and assess initial alterations in the patient’s body systems and communicate clinical information to the wound center’s team.
• Record clinical information in an orderly fashion and communicate pertinent details with the assigned panel physician and healthcare team members.
• Photograph, assess, and measure all wounds accurately per policy. Perform hyperbaric treatments, monitor patients continuously during therapy, and assess pre/intra/post treatment. Follow all safety guidelines and perform daily checks on backup air and oxygen supplies.
• Assess compliance with the clinical pathway and identify missing components that may slow the wound healing process.
• Collaborate with the panel physician to develop a plan of care based on clinical assessment data and implement a teaching plan.
• Prioritize and formulate desired outcomes specific to the patient’s problems and wound center protocols.
• Assist physicians with wound care and implement wound care and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) protocols when clinically indicated.
• Revise the plan of care in collaboration with the panel physician and healthcare team, continuously reassessing until desired outcomes are achieved.
• Participate in patient reviews to ensure all recommendations in the plan of care are activated in the physician’s orders.
• Coordinate office visits, pre-procedure work-ups, and patient education, including benefits, risks, contraindications, and safety issues of HBO therapy, with the multidisciplinary team.
• Prepare for each clinic to provide accurate updates to the physician, review the superbill, ensure all orders and charges are recorded accurately, and complete precertification tasks.
• Triage phone calls to the wound center and assist the office coordinator with scheduling.

Requirements

• Current state licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).
• Minimum of 2 years of floor nursing experience.
• Positive, service-oriented interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Ability to assess data reflective of patient status and interpret information to meet age-specific needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Wound Care experience.
• HBO (Hyperbaric Oxygen) experience.
• ACLS, BCLS, and PALS certifications.

Physical Demands

This position requires a full range of body motion with intermittent activities in walking, sitting, lifting, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, and standing. The associate must be able to lift 50 pounds or more, including lifting work above shoulder level. Corrected vision and hearing within the normal range are required, along with excellent verbal communication skills. This position is classified at risk for possible occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (e.g., HBV, HIV).