Wound Care RN

About the Role

Coordinates treatment to provide comprehensive wound assessments and a plan of care including goals, implementation of treatment, evaluation, and outcomes for residents throughout the facility. Provides resident, family, and staff education regarding wound management, prevention of pressure ulcers, support surfaces, dressing selections, and other therapies. Collaborates with physicians, surgeons, and clinical staff, including scheduled wound care rounds.

Responsibilities

• Assess the unique needs of each resident to determine appropriate practices to prevent skin breakdown and promote skin wellness.
• Perform wound assessment, reassessment, and management for all residents as per policy; track treatments and resident’s progress.
• Utilize principles of current wound management theory when providing care to residents with acute and chronic wounds.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the staging system of wounds.
• Develop skin care programs to prevent skin breakdown of residents.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill to develop and implement policies and procedures for managing residents with draining wounds, fistulae, tubes, wound prevention, wound care, ostomy care, and incontinence.
• Revise the plan of care as indicated by the resident’s response to treatment and evaluate the overall plan for effectiveness.
• Adequately assess and reassess pain; utilize appropriate pain management techniques and educate the resident and family regarding pain management.
• Perform treatments as scheduled and as needed.
• Ensure all plans for preventative skin care are documented in the EMR and Nursing Instructions.
• Formulate a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluate the effectiveness of learning; include family in teaching as appropriate.
• Administer medications correctly based on the age of the resident and clinical condition.
• Serve as a resource person to physicians, nursing, and other hospital staff.
• Provide in-services on wound prevention, wound care, ostomy care, and incontinence for the nursing staff.
• Communicate and coordinate appropriately and clearly with nurse managers, nursing staff, and physicians.
• Consult other healthcare professionals/departments as appropriate to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the resident’s needs.
• Ensure documentation meets current standards and practices.
• Attend seminars, conferences, and continuing education classes in wound prevention, wound management, and ostomies.
• Participate in professional societies and stay current with changes and new advances/treatments in wound care.
• Serve as a liaison between physicians, residents, and the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Evaluate clinical products, meet with sales representatives, and make recommendations for products/equipment.
• Operate all equipment correctly and safely.
• Coordinate and supervise resident care as necessary.
• Demonstrate flexibility, organization, and the ability to function under stressful situations.
• Input charges and enter documentation for all wound care residents into the computer system in a timely manner to ensure compliance.
• Follow all Infection Control Procedures and protective measures, including appropriate PPE.
• Perform additional job duties as assigned, including emergencies.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current New York State licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in medical/surgical or rehabilitation nursing.
• Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) required; Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) preferred.
• Working knowledge of state and federal regulations.
• Ability to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actions.
• Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, and family members.
• Willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Patient, tactful, and cheerful disposition with enthusiasm and willingness to handle difficult residents if necessary.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Ability to recognize and describe persons associated with nursing home safety and security.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas as well as throughout the nursing service area (e.g., medication rooms, resident’s rooms).
• Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours.
• Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, and government agencies under all conditions/circumstances.
• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicates with medical staff and nursing personnel.
• Works beyond normal working hours, including weekends and holidays, when necessary.
• Subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, including AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to hear and see or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function.
• Must be in general good health.
• Must be able to lift, pull, push, and move a minimum of fifty pounds.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.