Wound Care LP/VN

We are seeking a Wound Care LVN for our Outpatient Wound Care Clinic. We have 1 opening, and the position can be part-time or full-time, but candidates must be able to work Monday-Friday.

General Summary: The Wound Care Nurse-LPN has the responsibility and accountability for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of wound care. Provides direct patient care and education to assigned patients. The Wound Care Nurse-LPN is actively involved in department activities, transdisciplinary team activities, and LifeCare activities to ensure individualized, patient-centered health care for all patient populations admitted to LifeCare Hospital.

Patient Population: Has contact with patients in a clinical setting; understands and demonstrates appropriate behavior when interacting with patients in the adult (18-65 years of age) and geriatric (65 and older) populations.

Supervision: Oversees and directs delegated functions of CNAs and Patient Care Technicians.

Standard Essential Functions
1. The knowledge and skills necessary to perform the position requirements are demonstrated through the successful completion of competencies established for the position, to include population served and other special needs of patients or customers, served by the department.
2. Adheres to LifeCare policies, procedures, all safety plans, and all standards imposed by regulatory organizations.
3. Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

Job-Specific Essential Functions
1. Under the supervision of the Wound Care Coordinator RN or MD, assesses the needs of patients with basic and complex wounds. Identifies potential or actual needs and communicates changes in patient status, needs or condition to the assigned nurse and physician when applicable. Documents the assessment. Initiates Skin Care Algorithm on all wound care patients. Updates as needed.
2. Develops comprehensive wound management plan and assists staff in wound care when indicated. Documents the plan and revisions. Completes daily rounds and updates the transdisciplinary team and family on wound progress.
3. Implements the plan of care by providing wound care interventions directly and/or appropriately delegating care to others, demonstrating competent and proficient nursing practice. Responds appropriately and assists others in emergencies in a calm and effective manner.
4. Initiates and coordinates the evaluation of wound care provided and documents the patients’ response to wound care by providing nursing and other members of the transdisciplinary team. Obtains all pictures of wounds upon admission and weekly thereafter.
5. Identifies individual learning needs of patients and families in wound care education in a manner that meets their special needs.
6. Communicates with the assigned nurse and physician on changing patient needs, ensuring patient safety at all times, notifying the assigned nurse of any risk factors seen, initiating, and maintaining appropriate safety measures.

Values
• We COLLABORATE: We develop our treatment plans in collaboration with physicians, clinicians, and patient's families.
• We ADVOCATE: We advocate on behalf of every patient and family.
• We RESPECT: We recognize and value the dignity, rights, and resources of each patient.
• We PROVIDE: We provide complex medical care with purpose and compassion.
• We SERVE: We serve as a TEAM with integrity at all levels focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in an acute or LTACH setting is preferred.

Education: Graduate of an accredited technical school of nursing is required.

Licensure/Certification: Current Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse license in the state where practicing is required. Current BLS certification is required. ACLS certification within 6 months of hire is preferred. CWON is preferred. All Wound Care Nurse-LPNs must maintain current licensure and BLS certifications while employed with LifeCare Hospitals.

Physical Requirements:
1. Ability to lift, move, transport and position patients, equipment, or supplies/materials up to fifty (50) pounds without assistance; or over fifty (50) pounds with the aid of mechanical assistance or assistance of personnel.
2. Range of motion and mobility of self by positioning or moving around hospital to include sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, and reaching.
3. Ability to communicate with patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and visitors to be able to exchange accurate information regarding patient condition and health status. Ability to exchange and express information by means of language and communicate information effectively.
4. Ability to hear the nature of sounds. Ability to detect clinical alarms and conversation. Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
5. Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
6. Ability to monitor/assess performance of yourself or other individuals, to make improvements or take corrective action.
7. Ability to see things at close range and match and/or detect differences between colors, including color and brightness.
8. Ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble small objects.
9. Ability to keep your hand steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
10. Ability to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision making. Ability to use scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
11. Ability to identify problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
12. Ability to respond to emergency or crisis in a calm and professional manner as a team member or team leader to resolve the crisis or emergency.
13. Ability to work independently and perform routine and detail-oriented tasks. Ability to manage one’s own time and the time of others.
14. Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
15. Ability to collect and analyze numerical, written data and verbal communication to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or action.
16. Ability to review, assess, record or type data quickly and accurately.
17. Ability to observe and recognize or identify changes in patient’s health status or condition.
18. Ability to perform mathematical equations.
19. Ability to view and operate required equipment.
20. Ability to determine resources needed in order to provide quality patient care.
21. Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
22. Ability to respond or make adjustments to a modality of therapy, as appropriate, when a deviation from routine care is required.
23. Ability to motivate, develop and direct people as they work.

Environmental/Working Conditions:
1. Category 1 - Infection exposure due to required tasks which routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluid tissues or potential spills or splashes.
2. Ability to work alone or with minimal supervision.
3. Contact with patients, families, co-workers, physicians, and visitors.
4. Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner.
5. Ability to handle multiple tasks.
6. Ability to work long hours between breaks and meals may be required.
7. Exposure to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements: Ability to operate nursing call system, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, computer, printer, and calculator.