Reporting to the Executive Director of Clinical Services & Special Projects, and under the direct supervision of either the CNO or the Director of Nursing, the Wound Care Clinician participates in the coordination of the facility-wide program for providing appropriate, consistent and effective wound, ostomy, continence and skin care to all hospital patients. The Wound Care Clinician provides direct care to patients, consultation to physicians and staff, and education to patients, families and staff. The Clinician sets patient care standards and ensures high quality clinical outcomes. The Clinician provides age and developmentally appropriate care to adult and geriatric patients.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Exemplifies the RML REACH (Service Excellence) culture by demonstrating respect, excellence, appreciation, concern and honor in all interactions with patients, families and co-workers, and as identified in departmental and hospital wide behavioral expectations.

• Provides expert nursing care to patients and families with wound and skin care needs.

  • Analyzes existing information in patient’s record, pursuing additional information as necessary. Documents the patient’s condition upon admission, through pictures and clinical assessment.

  • Develops a plan of care in collaboration with the physician based on the patient’s needs and expected outcomes, especially in complex or unusual patient care situations.

  • Implements those aspects of the patient’s plan of care for which the clinician assumes primary responsibility, and oversees the implementation of the plan by other staff members.

  • Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team regarding specific patient needs.

  • promotes continuity of care between the institution and community.

  • Facilitates patient and family participation in self care based on age and developmental status.

• Participates in the evaluation of clinical practice through involvement in the performance improvement program; responsible for setting, measuring and achieving high quality standards of care for this patient population. Identifies opportunities for improvement and develops a plan for corrective action. Participates in department and facility committees and performance improvement initiatives.

• Monitors wound care patients’ healing progress with weekly assessments and reports wound healing outcomes to Organizational Performance Improvement Committee. Performs regular pressure ulcer incidence and prevalence assessments and presents report and strategies for further improvement to the Organizational Performance Improvement Committee.

• Develops methods for enhancing the quality of nursing care on a systematic basis to the adult and geriatric patient population with skin care needs, based upon national standards for WOCN practice. Initiates system changes to promote optimal clinical practice and maximize staff interventions related to wound and skin care. Promotes cost effective care.

• Identifies learning needs of patients, primary caregivers, staff and physicians related to wound, ostomy and skin care. Teaches patient and/or primary caregiver self-care related to wound and skin care; develops programs to ensure consistency in staff follow through with the education program.

• Develops, conducts and participates in formal and informal education programs for staff.

• Assumes responsibility for own ongoing continuing education and professional growth to maintain clinical expertise.

• Utilizes current research and clinical developments to support and improve nursing practice related to wounds, skin and ostomy care, and continence management. Participates, as appropriate, in investigational studies conducted at RML.

• Identifies own learning and professional development needs and seeks opportunities within and outside of RML to meet these needs. Actively participates in collaborative practice meetings to ensure one standard of care for wound clinician practice across both hospital sites... Provides information and feedback to wound clinician colleagues on related clinical and professional topics. Meets all employee requirements including but not limited to: license renewal, TB testing, CPR, General Annual Review and Annual Clinical Validation, and performance evaluation, by demonstrating completion, or participating in the required activity prior to the expiration or due date.

• Responsible for supporting a safe work environment for self and others, by understanding and implementing applicable patient safety goals, reporting unsafe conditions, and by using appropriate safe work practices such as proper body mechanics and applicable safety devices (patient lift and transfer equipment, safety needles and sharps disposal, PPE, etc.)

• Maintains the confidentiality of the patient’s medical information verbally, online, and in writing. Complies with all hospital policies related to computer use and system security. Complies with HIPAA guidelines.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Benefits

RML offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits package. Employees can choose from a large selection of benefits that help protect their health, wealth, and well-being. Benefits include:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Life and Accidental Death Insurance

• Disability Insurance

• Free Parking

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Banking Alternatives

• Referral Rewards (upwards of $4k)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• 401(k) Retirement Plan (6% company match) - For every $1 an employee contributes, RML contributes $1 to their accounts. Employees are 100 percent vested in the money both they and RML contribute.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) RML offers employees flexibility in taking time off. Full-time employees receive 26 days each year.

• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) For employees who may need help managing stress, RML offers an EAP at no cost. Counselors are available 24 hours a day to both employees and their family members.

• Employee Fitness Room

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions associated with it.

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