IMC - Wound and Ostomy RN

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree required and master’s degree in nursing is preferred.
• Minimum of (2) years of experience preferred.
• NYS RN License
• BLS
• Wound and Ostomy Certification REQUIRED
  
  

POSITION SUMMARY

The Wound and Ostomy RN is responsible for providing direct and indirect patient care in inpatient care areas. RN is expected to competently perform the patient care responsibilities within the assigned work setting. Responsibilities include the systemic collection and assessment of data in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to provide therapeutic care for the patient and/or family. RN performs all required elements of a nursing assessment, functional assessment and utilization of patient/family specific assessment as required. RN considers factors related to safety, effectiveness and cost in planning and delivering care. The RN decisions and actions on behalf of patients are determined in an ethical manner. Care is provided in collaboration with other nursing staff members; RN delegates and supervises care in accordance with nurse practice acts and the professional nursing role.

• Provide wound and ostomy nursing care.
• Demonstrate expertise in wound and ostomy nursing and the nursing process through provision of nursing care.
• Provide direct care in hospital. Systematically assesses the needs of the patient through interview (including history taking), observation, and physical examination (may be selective or total examination).
• Secures information about the medical plan of care and previous health care experience, example: when applicable, secure a nursing history from the health care team.
• Notes progress in meeting defined outcomes on multidisciplinary plan of care.
• Plans and organizes individual nursing care for an identified group of patients.
• Administers individual nursing care, independently applying both simple and complex techniques and processes that are specific to the needs of the patient.
• Evaluates the nursing care administered to patients by self. Delegates care in accordance with Nurse Practice Acts and care guidelines.
• Evaluates and documents patient responses to prescribed interventions.
• Completes delegated patient and family teaching including providing patient and family with information about unit and hospital policies, procedures, and provisions for self-care and participation in decision-making.
• Elicits patient and family participation in care in keeping with physiological and psychological readiness.
• Instructs the patient and/or family on subjects such as disease process, risk factors, and prevention of complications to help them plan for care in the hospital and after discharge following prescribed teaching plans.
• Anticipates from present evidence, nursing and/or medical problems which may arise and initiate preventive measures.
• Assesses nutritional status of patients and communicates with the healthcare team.
• Reports patient and family progress in meeting defined outcomes to physicians and members of other health care disciplines.
• Skillfully uses the range of equipment, medicines, and other modalities, such as CPR, as well as the procedural and educational resources pertinent to assigned work area. Demonstrates knowledge of purpose and expected outcomes.
• Provides concise communication regarding the patient’s progress to nursing staff members and other health care practitioners. Examples: intra- and inter-unit; inpatient unit to clinic, or operating room, hospital to home or other health care facility.
• Possesses knowledge of the principles of growth and development for the appropriate age group(s)
• Demonstrates the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status in relation to the appropriate age group(s).
• Demonstrates the ability to interpret relevant information needed to identify each patient’s nursing care requirements relative to his/her age specific needs.
• Demonstrates the ability to provide nursing care relative to the patient’s age specific needs.
  
  

Skills

II. Collaboration

The Wound and Ostomy RN establishes satisfactory interpersonal relationships with co-workers and colleagues, patients, families and significant others.

• Initiates communication with patients and family to determine individual needs of patients, families and significant others.
• Initiates communication with co-workers and colleagues in other disciplines and departments to share and exchange ideas and information about related activities and needs.
• Provides detailed patient education to patient and family members during inpatient stay and at the time of discharge following prescribed teaching plans.
• Responds effectively, both verbally and non-verbally, to communications from patients, families and significant others as well as subordinates, colleagues, department heads, supervisors, physicians, etc.
  
  

III. Ethics

The Wound and Ostomy registered nurse’s decisions and actions on behalf of patients are determined in an ethical manner.

• Demonstrates sensitivity to the values of self and others.
• Involves patient/family in plan of care incorporating their cultural, spiritual and other belief systems.
  
  

Language Skills:

• Ability to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and written.
  
  

Skills:

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
  
  

Physical Demands:

• Involves standing, walking, sitting, talking, hearing and bending.
• May include some repetitive motions.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.
  
  

This position will be assigned to perform and assist with assessments, interventions and evaluations for patients with actual or potential wound/ostomy problems. Activities include, but are not limited to, dressing changes for patients assisting with Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) devices, implementing plans of care created by Wound and Ostomy RN, assisting in management of pressure injuries and other wound/skin problems. In addition, this position will assist in quality improvement and clinician education activities related to wounds and skin care.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Clinical Practice - Provision of professional nursing care to patients.
  
  

The RN systematically collects and assesses data in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to provide therapeutic, evidenced based care for the patient and family. The Wound and Ostomy RN work collaboratively with the team to develop plans of care and documents progress toward achieving defined outcomes. Continuity in patient care is achieved through concise communication with patient care providers.