Nurse III - Skin Interg/Wound Care

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • San Antonio, TX

35d • Onsite

About The Position

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

Free CEUs and updated resources through Lippincott access for all nurses.
The Nurse III, Skin Integrity/Wound Care Nurse performs highly complex (senior-level) nursing work within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse. Coordinates and evaluates nursing services and activities related to skin integrity and wound care. Makes recommendations for additions or changes to standards of care to promote skin integrity or prevent injuries. Plans, develops, coordinates, evaluates, and treats skin issues and evaluates skin/wound/ostomy care.
Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the skin integrity program operations and processes. Reviews reports and takes action according to results. Conducts skin integrity rounds and utilizes the results to identify areas of risk that can be addressed proactively to prevent new or existing skin impairments. Collaborates with others professionals to evaluate individuals for special needs or adaptive equipment. Leads the SSLC system-wide in the development and implementation of a skin integrity program, policies and procedures. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the skin integrity program operations and processes. Instructs, counsels, and assists individuals on issues impacting skin integrity and wound care. Develops in-service training and educational programs. Provides consultation, training, and technical assistance to all levels of staff about routine skin integrity issues, addressing identified risk factors as well as decubitus and ostomy care. Serves as a lead worker, providing direction and guidance to others. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment. This position is supervised by the Chief Nurse Executive or Nurse Operations Officer. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of nursing techniques, standards, and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses and procedures; of accepted medical treatment patterns; of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures; of program regulations and procedures; and of utilization review and control measures.
• Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement, and the Healthcare Guidelines or ability to quickly gain the knowledge.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to SSLCs or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations.
• Knowledge of wound and ostomy care, and wound prevention.
• Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system.
• Skill in writing policy, procedures and guidelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.
• Skill in the care and treatment of patients.
• Ability to provide patient care; to prepare and maintain records; to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment; and to provide technical assistance and consultation to others.
• Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members and with staff members.
• Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.
• Ability to train/in-service all levels of staff.
• Ability to make recommendations to SSLC leadership including on-call administrators.
• Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform CPR.
• Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.
• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact). Wound Care Certification (WCC) required.
• At least one (1) year experience as a practicing registered nurse is required.

Nice To Haves

• At least two (2) years of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility is preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree is preferred.
• Previous experience working with Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
• Coordinates and evaluates nursing services and activities related to skin integrity and wound care.
• Plans, develops, coordinates, evaluates, and treats skin issues and evaluates skin/wound/ostomy care.
• Conducts skin integrity rounds and utilizes the results to identify areas of risk that can be addressed proactively to prevent new or existing skin impairments.
• Collaborates with others such as medical staff, habilitation therapy staff and other nurses, to identify individuals’ needs for adaptive equipment such as a specialized bed or equipment to prevent pressure wounds.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the skin integrity program operations and processes
• Leads the SSLC system-wide in the development and implementation of a skin integrity program, policies and procedures.
• Reviews the Electronic Medical Records to evaluate the effectiveness of the skin integrity program and compliance with standards of care and quality of service.
• Monitors and reviews nursing care plans, consulting with RN Case Managers on new or worsening skin issues and ensuring skin integrity interventions are in the nursing care plan.
• Instructs, counsels, and assists individuals that are more independent on issues impacting skin integrity and wounds care such as wearing proper footwear, changing wet socks, using their adaptive equipment properly, proper hygiene, and positioning such as keeping feet propped up.
• Develops in-service training and educational programs for all levels of staff understanding on topics such as maintaining skin integrity and preventing pressure injuries.
• Provides consultation, training, and technical assistance to all levels of staff about routine skin integrity issues, addressing identified risk factors as well as decubitus and ostomy care.
• Reviews literature and research findings to keep abreast of current wound/ostomy care and wound prevention, nursing care standards, state and federal laws (ICF/IID rules and regulations) and serves as the resource person for skin integrity issues.
• Serves as a lead worker providing direction and guidance to Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) on basic care, to DSPs on technical issues such as positioning and promoting healing, and to all staff on wound care treatment.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees