Under general supervision, consult and educate in collaboration with nurses and other professionals to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the acute and rehabilitative care designed for patients with ostomies, complex wounds, pressure ulcerss and incontinence. Support and participate actively in quality management activities directed at evaluating the outcome of skin and wound care interventions.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Clinical: Serves as a clinical expert in area of specialty practice within the standards established by the Wound Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society.
   • Consults with nursing and medical staff regarding the care and management of patients with draining wounds, fistulas, pressure ulcers and incontinence.
   • Interacts with the clinical staff and case managers to facilitate the identification and incorporation of discharge planning needs into the nursing plan of care. Assists in facilitating the effective transition of patients from the hospital to the home environment or extended care facility by providing educational instruction for patient, family and home agencies.
   • Fosters collaborative working relationships with other nursing departments within UMMS and case managers by providing consultative practice and presentation of educational programs.
   • Assists the clinical staff in the selection of appropriate therapeutic specialty beds for skin and wound care management.
   • Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs. Provides the care needed as described in the unit/area/department policies and procedures.
2. Education
   • Provides formal and informal education on ostomy, skin and wound care for the clinical staff.
   • Contributes to the development and dissemination of specialized knowledge in Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing within the institution and community by collaborating with the faculty of the School of Nursing and Department of Nursing to develop and implement educational programs.
   • Initiates communication with the clinical staff; plans educational programs to ensure a consistently high level of service to patients with ostomies, complex wounds, fistulas, pressure ulcersand incontinence.
3. Quality Management
   • Assists the clinical staff with planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating quality improvement activities for the prevention of nosocomial pressure sores.
   • Establishes professional practice guidelines for UMMS relating to the scope of Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing. Develops the clinical staff's ability to assess and improve compliance with such guidelines by designing and implementing quality monitors.
   • Works closely with the Quality Management Committees to collaboratively develop action plans to enhance the outcome of pressure ulcer prevention and treatment program.
4. Research and Product Evaluation
   • Participates in product research programs.
   • Evaluates ostomy, incontinence and wound care products for hospital utilization; makes formal product recommendation to the appropriate hospital committee based upon evaluation outcome.

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Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a graduate of a school of Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing is required. Certified by Wound Ostomy Continrnce Nursing Certification Board is required. Current licensure in the State of Maryland as a Registered Nurse.
2. Two years of clinical enterostomal therapy experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to work autonomously as a preceptor in instructing staff in the field of Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing practice.
2. Ability to utilize appropriate teaching techniques effectively in the instruction of staff, patients and families.
3. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
4. Ability to effectively collaborate with other disciplines.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

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