RN-Wound Ostomy Continence-Wound Care Inpatient

Job Description:

Education:

Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master's degree in Nursing or enrollment in an RN-Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or RN-Master’s degree in Nursing program within 1 year of hire and completion within 5 years of hire if hired after July 1, 2012

Licensure/Certification:

Required: California RN license; American Heart Association BLS; Wound Care certification within 6 months of hire

Experience:

Required: Two (2) years of registered nursing experience
Preferred: Wound care experience

Essential Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
• Provides a consulting service to physicians and staff that include assessment and evaluation of current wound, ostomy, and/or continence problems, for inpatients and outpatients.
• Develops and oversees implementation of a comprehensive and individualized patient management plan with a dual focus of complication and disease state management.
• Functions independently within scope of practice under Standardized Procedures for Wound, Ostomy, and Continence care. Based on assessment, makes recommendations for care and writes orders for patient wound, ostomy, and continence care.
• Makes appropriate referrals to ancillary services.
• Evaluates outcomes of interventions and adapts plan of care to reflect changes in patient status/needs.
• Assists in identification of age specific learning needs of the patient.
• Provides emotional support to patients in the process of coping with altered body image and function.
• Participates in staff education by providing in-services, lectures and resource information.
• Assumes an active role in monitoring and implementation of specialty bed usage.
• Writes and reviews protocols and techniques related to area of expertise.
• Acts as a resource to individuals and groups in the community seeking information regarding specialty services or products.
• Assists with new hire orientation in relation to specialty.
• Assists with policies that relate to specialty.
• Assists with annual competency training of nursing staff in relation to specialty.
• Assists with recruitment of nursing staff.
• Involved in quality assurance as it relates to specialty.
• SPECIALIZED PROCEDURES PERFORMED BY WOCN: Stoma site selection and marking, Stoma calibration and prosthesis selection, Treatment of peristomal skin, Removal of ostomy bridge or rod, Ileostomy/colostomy lavage, Intubation of continent ostomies, Replacement of gastrosyomy/jejunostomy tubes, Reduction of stomal prolapse, Introduction of catheters into fistula, Removal of ureteral catheters, Debridement of wounds, Catheterization of urinary diversion, Dermal ulcer assessment and treatment selection, Replacement of suprapubic catheters, Assessment and selection of appropriate pressure reduction/relief surface.
• SPECIALIZED PROCEDURES PERFORMED BY NON-WOCN TEAM MEMBER: Provides patient consultation and recommendations for wound care, Acts as a resource to physicians and staff related to complex wound care, Performs specialty wound care procedures including conservative sharp debridement, wound VAC therapy, etc., Participates in the development of the hospital’s wound care program, policy, and procedures, Participates in decision making regarding selection of products and devices related to wound care, Provides staff education related to wound care.
• Functions as patient advocate in all aspects of nursing care.
• Participates in physician rounds and providing recommendations for the plan of care.
• Evaluates patient needs at the request of nursing, medical staff or ancillary departments.
• Plans, delivers or monitors delivery, and documenting individualized patient care during hospitalization for patients with wound and ostomy and/or continence issues/needs.
• Participates in patient education of the patient and/or family and making recommendation for products prior to discharge; services as a resource to Discharge Planners as needed.
• Documents recommendations and/or care provided in the medical record.
• Uses time effectively and proportionately so that responsibilities are completed within reasonable, designated time frame(s) as evidenced by: Completing wound/ostomy nursing consults within
• Establishes and maintains networking relationships related to wound, ostomy and continence.
• Assists with collection of PI data.

Essential Skils:

• Knowledge of current nursing, medical and health trends and practices in rendering of patient care
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively
• Knowledge and ability to function in a professional role and serve as a professional role model