WOUND CARE NURSE (RN)

POSITION SUMMARY:

A licensed professional whose responsibilities include planning and providing care for patients with complicated wounds, pressure ulcers, and/or any patient who has a potential skin care problem, in order to assist them with achieving a maximum level of wellness and independence. Consults with other members of the health care team in the management of acute and chronic wounds and is actively involved in the management and prevention of pressure ulcers. Facilitates performance improvement activities and surveillance related to wound care, ensuring complete documentation of wound care and charges as appropriate. Must be able to perform jobs in all patient care and operational areas subject to reasonable accommodations, also be able to employ all mandatory safety devices and procedures. Must participate in the Respiratory Protection Program, which may include the wearing of a respirator. This is a non-union position. See Essential Job Functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrates expertise in the execution of daily patient care, providing collaboration, direction, and instruction to the staff in the application and utilization of current wound protocols
• Promote a team approach through coordination of the efforts of all members of the Health Care Team
• Serves as patient advocate. The ultimate goal is to maximize the patient’s return to an optimal level of functioning
• Provides safety, comfort care, and treatment of patients according to established legal, ethical, and institutional standards
• Serves as a consultant to patients, families, and staff
• Initiates, evaluates and revises plans of care that reflect a multidisciplinary approach to patient care
• Coordinates with physician, nursing, and other personnel, patient and family in the meeting of wound care needs of the patient
• Elects, implements, and evaluates comforting, therapeutic, restorative, and preventative measures for selected patients
• Analyzes selected patient care plans for evidence of documentation of standards of practice, shares findings with staff, and collaborates in developing a variety of valid and reliable assessment tools to assist staff with documentation records
• Maintains and teaches others the specialized knowledge and skill necessary to perform techniques and routines in wound care
• Offers consultative services to provide expertise in the planning and delivery of special patient care problems
• Maintain current knowledge base on the prevention and treatment of wounds through attendance of educational programs/seminars/conferences reading journals and participating in committee or group programs
• Documents all patient education activities and response of patients/families
• Provides hands on care and teaching to patients who have complex and/or non healing wounds

Performs medical record audits for quality and utilization purposes and compliance

Full-Time (1.0 FTE) Day

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Education required qualifying for license as a registered nurse.

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or wound care certification required (within 6 months of hire)

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of two years as a registered nurse.

Charge nurse or other leadership experience preferred.

Licenses/Certificates:

Current California Registered Nurse License

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from AHA

Current National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certification