Wound Care Coordinator- FT Days

About the Role

Manages the facility wound care program at Kindred Hospital New Jersey - Rahway, a 34-bed long-term acute care hospital. The role includes developing standards of care and practice related to wound, ostomy, and continence patient care needs, providing direct patient care, assisting staff nurses, and offering consultative services to affiliated healthcare agencies.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the facility wound care program in conjunction with national standardization processes, including patient care protocols, documentation tools, wound care formulary, and WCC referral criteria.
• Establishes standards of care, competencies, policies, and procedures for quality, cost-efficient wound care for all clinical staff.
• Acts as primary consultant to Wound Care Clinicians and serves as a consultant to facility staff, advocating with physicians.
• Provides training and support to enable clinical staff to effectively assess wounds, recommend protocols, and initiate plans of care.
• Offers ongoing education to staff on products available for use in the hospital.
• Evaluates all wounds upon admission and ongoing to determine treatment plans and provide early problem identification.
• Provides consultation and/or assessment on patients with pressure injuries and any wound not showing measurable signs of healing within two weeks.
• Assists the primary nurse in developing appropriate plans of care for comprehensive wound management and prevention, in consultation with the physician.
• Makes recommendations to physicians for changes to wound care orders and provides evidence-based research support as needed.
• Reviews medical records to ensure wound assessments, care plans, and treatments are clearly and correctly documented.
• Investigates adverse events related to wounds through root cause analysis (RCA) and develops action plans based on findings.
• Participates in clinical outcome monitoring, follow-up, and agency performance improvement initiatives.
• Participates in CMS quality data reporting through completion of wound-related LTRAX data set records.
• Collaborates with Support Center Clinical Operations staff to maintain a cost-effective wound care formulary.
• Assists with training new Wound Care Coordinators within the Hospital Division as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for working with all hospital departments and instructing individuals and groups, including patients and their families.
• Ability to adapt to new situations, set priorities, and use problem-solving techniques.
• Knowledge in wound care consistent with NPIAP, AHCPR, WOCN, and CDC guidelines.
• Knowledge of wound debridement within the level and scope of practice.
• Ability to serve as a resource to nursing staff in complex wound management.
• Leadership skills to motivate and develop others individually and as a team.
• Program management skills.
• Must read, write, and speak fluent English.
• Good and regular attendance is required.

Qualifications

• Degree from an accredited nursing program.
• Current state RN license; BSN preferred.
• Professional certification: WOCN CWS or WCC, or obtain certification within 12 months of employment.
• BLS required.
• 1-3 years of licensed professional nursing experience with previous experience as an acute care nurse.

Pay

$41.57-$57.06 per hour.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• FSA/HSA options.
• Life Insurance.
• Paid Time Off.
• Wellness programs.