Wound Care, LPN

Summary:

Wound care nurse specializes in assessing and treating residents with complex wounds, ostomies, or continence conditions. They work closely with members of patient care teams to ensure that personalized treatment plans are followed correctly in order to prevent future infection or injury. Responsible for ensuring that all critical tasks are fulfilled on a timely basis.

Critical Tasks:

• Coordinates the medical care healthcare services to residents, following physician orders and concurrent with the standard of care protocols in Wound Care

• Provides comprehensive wound care and treatment to prevent skin breakdown.

• Assesses and monitoring wounds.

• Cleans and bandaging wounds.

• Works collaboratively with other members of the patient care team to determine if additional treatments or changes in care are required.

• Educates residents, family members and staff on wound care, infection and injury prevention, and pressure ulcer (bed sore) care.

• Works to expedite wound healing and avoid skin breakdown.

• Completes documentation of each individual resident’s assessments, plan-of-care, interventions and evaluation of rendered care.

• Ensures that residents are comfortable and well cared for according to state and federal regulations as well as contemporary nursing practices.

• Performs functions of IV administration and wound vacuum assisted closure upon valid medical orders if professionally trained and certified.

• Consults other healthcare professionals as appropriate to provide interdisciplinary approach to the resident’s needs.

• Serves as a resource person to physicians and nursing staff.

• Takes serial photographs of the wound for reporting of the patient's progress and enter into the electronic medical record.

• Completes documentation, including patient education and supply charges, on all residents requiring wound care into computer system in a timely and accurate manner to ensure compliance.

• Charts resident data in compliance with Medicare requirements while accurately noting abnormal findings and changes in patient and resident conditions.

• Performs all duties only within competency, certification and licensure limitations.

• Maintains supplies, including stocking and ordering new wound supplies and disposing of expired or damaged supplies.

• Responds to resident inquiries by evaluating and responding to the resident's problems and questions.

• Demonstrates ability to regularly change priorities to accomplish all tasks despite frequent interruptions.

• Demonstrates ability to clearly communicate, both orally and in writing, while performing all essential functions

• Performs other special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited Licensed Practical Nurse program from an accredited university or college
• AZ Licensed Practical Nurse state licensure in good standing
• Current and continuing healthcare provider BLS training and certification
• Must have the clinical knowledge of Wound assessment, care and treatment with a minimum of one-year clinical experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse
• The ability to obtain a Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) certification within one year of hire into position
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse cultures and specifically the Gila River Community and/or other Native American cultures
• Employment at the Caring House requires: AZ Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card