Registered Nurse, Bsn - Wound Care

Independence Health System Careers•Greensburg, PA

41d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides age-specific care to inpatients and outpatients with abdominal stomas, wounds, fistulae, drains, pressure ulcers, and incontinence utilizing the nursing process. Assesses the educational needs and learning strategies of patients, families, and staff, then plans, implements, and evaluates teaching. Facilitates an interdisciplinary approach to achieve positive patient outcomes. Collects patient health assessment data on admission and in an ongoing, systematic manner related to wound, ostomy, and continence care, focusing on the physical, psychological, age-specific, cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient. Documents according to hospital policy within established time frames. Assists nursing staff in developing a realistic plan of care for each patient assessed with wound, ostomy, or continence needs. Reassesses the patient's condition and the effectiveness of nursing interventions, making recommendations or revisions to the plan per skin integrity protocol. Involves the patient/family and initiates patient referrals to community agencies when appropriate. Develops an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes. Assesses the educational needs and learning strategies of patients/families specific to their wound, ostomy, or continence disease entity and the age of the patient, and develops their teaching plan. Develops and teaches didactic and clinical application programs for nursing personnel, physicians, and community groups as needed. Acquires and distributes educational resources tailored to the patient's needs. Provides discharge instructions demonstrating an inter-relationship between education, discharge planning, and continuity of care. Provides pre-operative counseling for patients scheduled for ostomy or continence surgery. Accepts and follows through on outpatient referrals for counseling and/or education. Maintains a collaborative relationship with physicians and other healthcare providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care. Participates in interdisciplinary forums related to wound, ostomy, and continence care. Takes action to proactively identify and resolve patient needs, including notifying physicians of identified concerns. Maintains a networking relationship with other area WOCNs. Participates in department performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer service. Evaluates products, techniques, and equipment related to wound, ostomy, and continence care and makes recommendations, revisions, and updates as appropriate. Keeps abreast of new products available and uses research findings to promote quality patient care. Maintains accurate statistical records. Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of the professional nurse. Demonstrates the ability to independently problem-solve utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from others as appropriate. Creates an awareness of the services provided by the Ostomy Support Group and other related organizations. Maintains accountability for actions taken. Effectively functions as a resource person. Acts as a patient advocate. Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires/students. Assists in maintaining/decreasing organizational/department costs. Assists in the department's/organization's compliance with state, JCAHO, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies. Participates in preparation for inspections and surveys. Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies. Utilizes two forms of identification before implementing any form of patient care. Involves the patient and/or family in patient safety standards and processes. Assumes appropriate code team role during medical emergencies. Responds effectively during emergency situations. Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Specialty Beds: Assesses need for and type of specialty bed. Monitors effectiveness of specialty beds. Works collaboratively with Central Processing and specialty bed companies on product evaluation, selection, and cost containment. Mentors staff on prevention, assessment, and treatment of pressure injuries. Monitors and gathers data regarding hospital-acquired pressure injuries monthly and reports to clinical directors and risk management departments. Develops and presents staff education programs as needed, as requested by clinical directors/education department. Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Five (5) years’ experience in clinical nursing.
Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania required.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program required.
Wound Care Certification (WOCNCB, WANC, WOCN, CANCC)
Act 33 with renewal
Act 34 with renewal
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Nursing preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending education workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
Assure quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards, making or recommending necessary adjustments, and following system/hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations.
Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
Document patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
Maintain continuity among nursing teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs using Nurse Knowledge Exchange techniques.
Maintain patient confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
Identify patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients, and other persons in a position to understand care requirements.
Establish a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
Promote patient's independence by establishing patient care goals, teaching patient/family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills, and answering questions.
Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations; calling for assistance from health care support personnel.
Resolve patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.
Maintain a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information, responding to requests, building rapport, and participating in team continuous quality improvement and problem-solving methods.
Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements by following manufacturer's instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs, maintaining equipment inventories, and evaluating new equipment and techniques.
Maintain nursing supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies, placing and expediting orders for supplies, verifying receipt of supplies, and using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
The Registered Nurse may provide direct oversight of the GN, LPN, Technical Partner, ALS Technician, Nurse Extern and Unit Clerks. This oversight includes the Registered Nurse conducting the initial comprehensive assessment and interpreting the assessment to initiate the interprofessional plan of care. This oversight includes support of the delegation of duties that are within the scope and capability of the care team.
Ensures that assessment of the patient and the direct and indirect care provided is delivered in accordance with the PA Nurse Practice Act, hospital policies procedures, protocols and other professional standards of care.
Assesses the need for and type of specialty bed.
Monitors effectiveness of specialty beds.
Works collaboratively with Central Processing and specialty bed companies on product evaluation and selection and cost containment.
Mentors staff on prevention, assessment, and treatment of pressure injuries.
Monitor and gather data regarding hospital acquired pressure injuries on a monthly bases and report to clinical directors and risk management departments.
Develops and presents staff education programs on an as needed basis as requested by clinical directors/education department.
Other related duties as assigned.