Registered Nurse (RN)-WOC- (Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse) PT

Mary Washington Healthcare•Fredericksburg, WA

About The Position

The Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) is a registered professional nurse with expertise developed through a certified program. Applying evidence-based nursing practice, the CWON improves processes, treatments, plans of care, and related interventions for patients with wounds, ostomies, pressure ulcers, fistulas, chronic or draining wounds, and incontinence. The CWON serves as a clinical resource for Mary Washington Healthcare Associates and healthcare professionals, providing clinical guidance, education, consultation, policy and procedure revisions, and quality improvement to support high-quality care and improved patient outcomes across neonate through geriatric age groups. The role uses the nursing process in practice, education, consultation, research, and administration. It supports direct patient care, continuity between inpatient and outpatient settings, patient and family education, clinical standards and protocols, staff development, prevalence studies, and evaluation of care programs and products. The position requires a commitment to quality service for patients, the public, physicians, and Associates.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school with a clinical focus.
Valid RN license from Virginia or a reciprocal compact state.
Minimum of three years of Medical Surgical nursing practice.
Wound Ostomy Certification (CWON) required within three years of hire.
AHA BLS Provider CPR required at hire.
For External Temporary RN Program hires, required BLS, ACLS, PALS, or NRP certifications must be obtained at hire; required CPI, ONS, or NIHSS certifications must be obtained within 30 days; and required TNCC or ENPC certifications must be obtained within 30 days or by the next available course.
Critical-thinking and analytical skills, ability to multitask, effective communication and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and capacity to cope with difficult situations.
Ability to tolerate irregular hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends.
Ability to meet the role’s physical requirements, including frequent walking, standing, and use of arms and hands; bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting; lifting 35 pounds and pushing or pulling 20 pounds; auditory and visual skills including color determination; working in confined spaces; and reaching overhead.
Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and work with potential exposure to radiation, toxic chemicals, and bloodborne pathogens.
Clinical positions in Mary Washington Home Health and/or Hospice must also meet driving requirements.

Responsibilities

Use the nursing process in direct patient care and assist staff with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care needs.
Conduct ongoing comprehensive wound, ostomy, fistula, and continence assessments; implement and evaluate established treatment plans; demonstrate techniques; document care in the electronic medical record; and maintain statistics to support continuity of care.
Promote continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient settings by consulting with patients, families, and healthcare providers, identifying post-discharge needs, and documenting findings and actions.
Assist with annual skills validation and staff orientation in collaboration with other clinical nurse specialists and nurse managers.
Coordinate and enhance care for patient populations at high risk for integumentary complications, review and recommend care based on established plans, and participate in prevalence studies.
Plan, implement, and evaluate patient and family teaching; assess readiness for post-discharge self-care; document teaching effectiveness and understanding; consult on post-discharge referrals; and contribute to teaching protocols.
Contribute to the development and refinement of wound, ostomy, and continence treatment protocols and care management strategies, and role-model and teach critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Participate in the nursing Professional Practice Council and other identified committees.
Lead development and revision of evidence-based clinical standards and protocols; mentor and educate staff; develop staff knowledge of research and its application; and serve as a clinical preceptor for undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
Evaluate programs and proposals and recommend approaches to improve efficiency, care processes, and outcomes.
Collaborate with Supply Chain on clinical equipment and product trials and evaluations, including but not limited to wound and ostomy products.
Stay current by reviewing professional literature and attending conferences, training, and site visits; share relevant information and help implement it across departments.
Facilitate prevalence-study data collection, education, and dissemination of results, and provide unit-specific feedback, follow-up, and improvement action plans.
Perform other duties as assigned.