Registered Nurse, Wound Care Position Summary

The Wound Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) functions under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager. The WOCN is responsible for assisting in the management and rehabilitation of patients with wounds, ostomies, abdominal stomas, incontinence, ulcers and other skin conditions.  The WOCN serves in the role as both clinician and consultant. The WOCN provides leadership and direction for coordination and improvement of WOC care, including development of policies and procedures, guidelines, standards of care and research.  Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Current RN licensure in the state.
• Graduate of accredited wound ostomy care nurse program with current licensure in the state. 
• At least 2 years of current experience in the specialty is required.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred.
• Wound Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) preferred.

Essential Functions

Job Specific:

• Accurately performs patient assessments and identifies patient needs.
• Evaluates progress and outcomes.
• Identifies and initiates appropriate nursing interventions.
• Coordinates care among the healthcare team.
• Provides patient and family teaching as it pertains to the treatment plan, procedures, and preventative measures throughout the rehabilitation stay and prior to discharge.
• Provides direct care appropriate to condition and age of the patient.
• Works cooperatively and actively participates with other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Participates in Continuous Quality and Performance Improvement (CQPI). 
• May provide input into the budgetary planning process and contributes to cost effectiveness of services and programs provided by the department and hospital.
• Provides education to the clinical staff as it pertains to the treatment plan, procedures, and preventative measures. 
• Communicates employee observations and suggestions related to opportunities for improvement and staff educational needs.
• Maintains positive relationships with all customers.
• Complies with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Responsible for personal and professional development.
• Maintains ethical practices and HIPAA requirements.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire safety and infection control.  Maintains medical staff rules/requirements, as well as regulatory body standards.
• Promotes rehabilitation nursing philosophy and scope of practice. Actively participates in team conferences.
• Performs timely and appropriate documentation relating to medical necessity in the medical record.
• Provides a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff and complies with appropriate and approved safety standards.
• Supports the leadership of the hospital in a professional manner and acts as a role model.

• Other duties as assigned.

  Company Specific:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean and wears appropriate identification while on duty
• Completes annual health, safety, and education requirements. Maintains professional growth and development.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and/or employee information to assure patient and/or employee rights are protected.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served.
• Reports to work on time as scheduled; adheres to policies regarding notification of absence.
• Attends all mandatory in-services and staff meetings.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics, and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Maintains current licensure/certification for position, if applicable.
• Consistently demonstrates Guest Relation's skills to patients, physicians, visitors, employees, and any other individuals with whom they may come in contact.
• Consistently follows departmental and hospital Health, Safety, Security, Hazardous Materials policies and procedures.
• HIPAA: Conduct job responsibilities in accordance with HIPAA privacy laws, follow hospital policy in provision of patient confidentiality. Able to identify patient confidentiality issues and reports to proper hospital personnel immediately.
• Compliance: Conducts job responsibilities in accordance with standards set forth in Kindred's Code of Conduct, Kindred policy and procedures, applicable federal and state laws, and applicable standards.

Additional Information

Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.

Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams.

Attention to detail in clinical documentation is essential.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.

Language Skills:

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. 
• Additional languages preferred. 

Skills:

• Basic computer knowledge.
• Knowledge of equipment utilized in evaluation and treatment.
• Must be able to determine appropriate patient procedures and evaluate results.
• Ability to maintain control and respond calmly and positively during crisis situations (i.e., Code Blue).
• Appropriate telephone communication skills.

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.