JOB SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of the RN Wound Care Coordinator position is to provide wound care prevention and treatment to residents and assure resident safety under the direction of attending physicians and/or Medical Director and consistent with established wound care protocols.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administration Functions

• Implement and maintain established wound care policies and protocols. Interpret these protocols to physicians, residents, family members and others as appropriate.
• Make recommendations to the attending physician, Medical Director, DON and Quality Improvement Consultant concerning the wound care protocols, preventive measures and specialty care of residents.
• Participate in facility surveys made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Director of Nursing.

Direct Care Functions

• Confer with RN Team Leaders to identify residents at risk for wounds or those who require assessment of wounds and treatment interventions.
• Provide on-site assessment of residents to determine status and develop plan of care.
• Implement preventive measures and wound care, based on resident assessment and established protocols.
• Provide educational health care services. Make recommendations to the resident concerning nutrition, hydration, positioning, prevention of skin breakdown, management of chronic conditions, etc.
• Document wound care assessments, treatments rendered and communication with residents, families and physicians in the electronic medical record.

Committee Functions

• Participate in Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team to develop a comprehensive care plan for residents.
• Serve on the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee to assess the facility wound care status and improvement plan.
• Attends morning clinical meetings.
• Participates in High Risk weekly meetings.

Personnel Functions

• Cooperate with other associates to achieve departmental objectives and maintain good interdepartmental and public relations.
• Maintain an effective, professional working relationship with physicians, consultants, family members, residents and associates.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• Assist in establishing an inventory of medical supplies and equipment to meet the needs of residents.
• As appropriate, use personal protective equipment and clothing when treating residents.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals according to facility policy and procedures.

Resident Rights

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Monitor care of residents to ensure that residents are treated fairly, with kindness, dignity and respect.
• Ensure that all resident care is provided in privacy and that all personnel knock and ask to enter as appropriate before entering a resident’s room.
• Report complaints or grievances made by residents, family members or associates to the RN Team Leader.
• Report and assist to investigate all allegations of resident neglect, abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property, as directed by the RN Team Leader.
• Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment requests. Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the facility’s policies governing advance directives.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas as well as throughout the nursing service areas.
• Moves intermittently during work hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel and other department associates.
• Works beyond normal working hours when necessary. May be asked to be on-call.
• Is subject to callback during emergency conditions.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to exposure of infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, plastics, synthetics, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potential contaminants.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Staff Development Functions

• Participate in the planning and conducting of in-service education on wound assessment, prevention of skin breakdown and treatment protocols.
• Provide educational programs for residents and family members relative to skin care issues.
• Attend continuing education programs designed to maintain and improve your knowledge and skills in wound prevention and management.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• Must possess a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved RN diploma program.

Experience

• Must have a minimum of one (1) year experience in a long-term care, hospital, home health or other health related organization.
• Must have previous experience in wound care management.
• Certification as a specialist in wound care management is preferred.

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, license to practice as a RN in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must possess computer skills and some understanding of documentation software programs.
• Must display professionalism both in appearance and attitude.
• Must possess the ability to solve problems and make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agency personnel and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess the ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Must be able to maintain the programs, goals, objectives, systems, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult personnel.
• Must be willing to accept new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to relate accurate and timely information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

• Must be able to move continuously throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, families, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 10 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 5 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Sitting: 1-2 hour per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing and walking.
• Standing: 4-5 hours per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to walking and occasionally to sitting.
• Walking: 2-3 hours per 8 hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing and occasionally to sitting.
• Lifting: 1-10 lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Occasionally

21-35 lbs. Rarely

36-50 lbs. Rarely

51-75 lbs. Rarely

> 75 lbs. Rarely

• Carrying: 1-10 lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Rarely

21-35 lbs. Rarely

• Driving: Rarely
• Pushing: Continuously
• Bending: Occasionally
• Squatting: Rarely
• Kneeling: Rarely
• Crawling: Rarely
• Climbing: Rarely
• Reaching: Occasionally
• Grasping: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Continuously

(Frequency: Never=0%; Rarely=1-10%; Occasionally=11=33%; Frequently = 34-66%; Continuously = 67% )

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• Must possess a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved RN diploma program.

Experience

• Must have a minimum of one (1) year experience in a long-term care, hospital, home health or other health related organization.
• Must have previous experience in wound care management.
• Certification as a specialist in wound care management is preferred.