What are the responsibilities and job description for the Registered Nurse (RN) - Wound Ostomy - University Hospital position at University of South Alabama Health System?
Overview
USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists and researchers provide the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall wellbeing of our community.
Responsibilities
Provides rehabilitative care for patients with ostomies or continent diversions to encompass preoperative counseling, instruction, and stoma site selection, postoperative care and instruction/counseling and long-term follow-up; devises appropriate management system for patients with draining wound/fistula that will enable collection of drainage, promote patient comfort, and prevent skin breakdown; develops and implement programs for wound management and for prevention and management of skin breakdown on a system basis, and individual patient basis as needed; participates in the identification of opportunities for quality improvement processes and assists in the implementation of activities that reduce cost without altering the service delivery or quality; provides educational information in areas of wound, ostomy and continence care for patients and families within specific patient population; coordinates and evaluates educational needs for specific patient population; develops, reviews, updates patient/family educational tools for specific patient population; participates and act as resource for support groups for specific patient population; serves as a resource person for physicians, staff, patients, and families on the management of wounds; demonstrates ability to recognize the stages of wound healing and through documentation of such in patient records; demonstrates proficiency in the following aspect of wound care for the burn patient: sharp debridement with forceps, Norsens, scissors and scalpels, application of topical agents, application of barrier dressings, proper positioning in the application of splint, ace wraps, & Unna Boots and obtainment of wound cultures and results; manages a caseload of inpatients and outpatients with ostomy and/or skin/ wound management needs on referral from MDs, nurses or other health team members; assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the care of patients relative to their ostomy/ skin needs; provides expert consultation to team members, coordination of services and education for patients, families and the healthcare team; assists with the development and implementation of programs to ensure the clinical/technical competence of all staff assigned to the unit; serves as a role model, mentor, and teacher for staff, patients and families; participates in professional organizations related to specialty; maintains certification through WOCN (Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing) Society; broadens own knowledge base and skills by attendance at continuing education offerings; utilizes research findings in own and related practice areas. Models the use of research findings and systematic inquiry; identifies researchable problems; collaborates with other health care professionals to develop and implement nursing research studies and evaluation projects; participates on committees as assigned; participates in Performance Improvement activities as assigned; accesses and accurately maintains electronic and paper medical records; regular and prompt attendance; ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required; related duties as required.
Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited school of nursing meeting the minimum standards set by the State of Alabama, current Alabama RN license or current Multi-State RN License in accordance with Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) for Alabama. Note: USA Health abides by the NLC requirements and guidelines for the state of Alabama.