Overview:
This position provides support to the patient care services division in the prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers by assisting with the data collection needed for an advanced wound assessment, and by making wound care recommendations for patients as identified by registered nurses assigned to those patients, or in consultation with other skin and wound care team members.
The role of this individual is to support the standardized program for the care, teaching, management and rehabilitation of patients with or at risk for wound development. This program will encompass patients with wounds due to pressure, incontinence, surgery, trauma, burns, infections, venous insufficiency, arterial insufficiency, neuropathy, or other pathologies. This position will promote and support the standardized program for tracking the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers as directed. This position interfaces with physicians and hospital, education, and skilled nursing staff for support of the guidelines established by the wound care department. This position works closely with Social Services and risk management, to ensure the safety of each patient.
This role requires good organizational, communication and leadership skills, and the ability to collect and report data. The Wound Care Nurse is responsible for providing input and feedback to Quality, Education, Nursing Leadership and Management Councils.
Also, oversees the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the Infection Prevention Program for the hospital. Collaborates with hospital medical staff, and other disciplines in the creation and implementation of infection prevention and control policies and procedures. Responsible for regulatory reporting to external agencies. Responsible for evaluating staff and participating in disciplinary action/performance improvement process for staff in the area of infection control. Other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities:
Develop skin and wound care policies for the hospital to maintain the highest standard of care. Consistently applies skin and wound care policies/practices. Meets population/age specific competencies. Ability to perform skin/wound assessment, reassessment and management for all patients Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology and disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and dermal systems. Manages data collection, participation in analyzing, action planning, and reporting performance improvement data for ALL stage wounds. Provides leadership and clear direction to all members of the healthcare team. Provides education for patients, family, and others on skin care, wound care and understands the importance of nutrition in wound healing and prevention. Performs other duties as assigned. Maintains current knowledge/certification. Attends all required Safety Training programs and can describe responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety and specific job?related hazards Follows the Hospital Exposure Control Plans/Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens. Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment. Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter and intra departmentally to facilitate the department's/unit's ability to meet its goals and objectives.
Plans, organizes, and directs activities for the treatment of employees through written policies and protocols, assessment, intervention, reevaluation, documentation, observation, and comparison to established standards. Keeps clinical skills in line with current trends and developments in infection c control and other related fields. Is responsible for departments operational excellence and ensures that the department delivers quality services in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and professional standards. Is responsible for the fiscal management of department and ensures the proper utilization of organizations financial resources. Attains all agreed to goals and objectives within specified time frames, as part of the organizations overall mission. Effectively communicates departmental, organization and industry information to staff. Follows the hospital exposure control plans/bloodborne and airborne pathogens. Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous hospital environment Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter- and intra-departmentally to facilitate the departments/units ability to meet its goals and objectives
Qualifications:
Ability to communicate effectively and document information accurately Ability to deal efficiently and effectively with a wide variety of individuals Knowledge of basic medical terminology preferred Basic computer knowledge is preferred Ability to move or lift patients and equipment BSN preferred Extensive work experience in wound care setting (minimum 1 year) preferred Minimum two continuous years of acute care experience with adult patients preferred Current CA Registered Nurse license Current BCLS card (through AHA) required Current wound care certification through the WOCNCB (CWOCN, CWON, CWCN), AAWM (CWS), or NAWC (WCC) preferred
Hospital Description:
Greater El Monte Community Hospital