Wound Care LPN

Provides nursing support to the physician and direct nursing care to patients in an outpatient setting. Serves as primary medical contact person to screen patients.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct nursing care to patients in an outpatient medical office setting.
• Uses standards of care and standards of practice to guide care delivery.
• Accurately and safely administers intramuscular, subcutaneous, and oral medications as ordered.
• Consults with the Provider or Registered Nurse to seek guidance in delivery of nursing care, as necessary.
• Obtains instruction and supervision as necessary from the Provider or Registered Nurse when implementing nursing technique or practices.
• Performs designated therapeutic procedures to patients as needed.
• Accurately observes, records and reports to the Provider, all patient concerns, symptoms, reactions and progress in a timely manner.
• Assists Providers and the Registered Nurse with examinations and procedures, as assigned.
• Utilizes available supplies in a cost-effective manner to help contain patient costs.
• Provides emotional support to patients and/or families.
• Participates in problem solving and decision making in the outpatient unit.
• Acts to ensure staffing and patient needs are met.
• Obtains medical information from patients.
• Takes height, weight, blood pressure, and vital signs of the patient.
• Screens patient for chief complaint and pertinent health data.
• Records data gathered in patient’s medical record and communicates data gathered to physician.
• Works closely with office assistant and physician to facilitate patient's clinic visit.
• Ensures patient's chart is available.
• Escorts patients to and from exam room.
• Assists with scheduling when necessary.

Requirements

• Current Licensed Practical Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Licensed Practical Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Must have Wound Care / Ostomy Certification.

Responsibilities (Wound Care Specific)

• Provides care and consultation for the patient population with alterations of wounds, GI/GU systems, drains, pressure ulcers and/or incontinence.
• Serves as a resource and educator for other healthcare professionals, patients, families and community.
• Collaborates with nurses, physicians and other healthcare providers to plan and deliver patient care.
• Patient care setting is both inpatient and outpatient.
• Ensures patients and caregivers receive education about their condition, therapies, and dressings.
• Provides comprehensive wound management including assessing causative factors, nutritional needs and provide topical therapies to inpatient patients.
• Provides instruction on proper wound dressing.
• Assesses and treats draining wounds and fistulae.
• Reviews and modifies pouch system problems.
• Cross trains and supports outpatient wound care center as needed.
• Provides recommendations on strategies to help improve and grow the inpatient and outpatient wound care program.
• Collaborates with physician and/or care management as needed to plan and deliver patient care.
• Reviews and develops nursing policies and procedures specific to wound care and ostomy.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking; carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs. This is performed on a daily basis.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standard clinical environment.
• Volume of patients is very high.
• Position is frequently exposed to bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, toxins, and chemicals.

Schedule

• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Shift: Day