APRN/PA - Wound Care

University of Arkansas System•Little Rock, AR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is seeking an experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or Physician Assistant (PA) to join and help develop a comprehensive Inpatient Wound Care Service. This position will provide specialized assessment and management of patients with complex acute and chronic wounds throughout the inpatient setting. The Inpatient Wound Care APRN/PA will work collaboratively with the Wound Care Medical Director, RN wound care specialists, Emergency General Surgery/Trauma and Acute Care Surgery teams, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, nutrition, pharmacy, case management, coding and billing, and other interdisciplinary partners to provide evidence-based, patient-centered wound care. The APRN/PA will play a central role in establishing standardized inpatient wound care practices, providing bedside procedures and advanced wound therapies, coordinating multidisciplinary care, supporting accurate documentation and coding, and developing processes that facilitate a seamless transition to outpatient wound care after hospitalization. This position offers an opportunity to participate in the development of a comprehensive UAMS wound care program, including future expansion into outpatient wound care, telewound services, digital wound measurement and imaging, and partnerships with post-acute care facilities.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Nursing (for APRN)
Three years of nursing experience (for APRN)
Licensed Registered Nurse in Arkansas (for APRN)
APRN License (for APRN)
Acute Care Certification (for APRN)
Master's in PA Studies (for PA)
PA Licensure (for PA)
Acute Care Certification (for PA)
Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Prior specialized wound care experience.
Experience with complex wound assessment and management.
Experience performing wound debridement.
Experience with negative pressure wound therapy.
Experience managing postoperative and surgical wounds.
Experience with pressure injury prevention and staging.
Experience in trauma, acute care surgery, or inpatient surgical services.
Certification or advanced education in wound care.
Experience with quality improvement, program development, or clinical research.
Experience educating healthcare professionals or learners.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive assessment and management of patients with acute, chronic, surgical, traumatic, pressure-related, and complex wounds.
Perform bedside wound evaluations, including assessment of wound etiology, tissue characteristics, drainage, infection, perfusion, surrounding skin, and healing potential.
Perform and/or assist with bedside wound debridement within the APP's scope of practice, credentialing, and privileges.
Develop individualized wound care plans based on current evidence, patient comorbidities, wound characteristics, goals of care, and anticipated disposition.
Manage surgical wounds, including postoperative wound assessment, dressing selection, incision management, wound complications, and coordination with surgical services.
Recommend and apply advanced wound dressings and wound care products based on wound type and clinical indication.
Initiate, manage, and troubleshoot negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) when clinically appropriate.
Monitor wound progression and modify treatment plans based on clinical response.
Recognize and appropriately escalate wounds requiring surgical intervention, vascular evaluation, infectious disease consultation, plastic surgery involvement, or other specialty care.
Respond to inpatient wound care consultations in a timely manner.
Establish standardized workflows for receipt, triage, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of wound care consultations.
Provide ongoing management of patients requiring continued wound care during hospitalization.
Communicate recommendations clearly to the primary medical and surgical teams and bedside nursing staff.
Serve as a clinical resource for providers and nursing staff regarding complex wound management.
Participate in daily multidisciplinary wound care rounds.
Coordinate treatment plans addressing mobility, nutrition, pressure redistribution, infection prevention, pain management, and discharge needs.
Promote a consistent interdisciplinary approach to wound prevention and treatment across the hospital.
May perform other duties as assigned.