Registered Nurse (RN) FT Days WOC

Wellstar Health System•Marietta, GA

20h

About The Position

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Clinical Nurse (WOCN) provides acute and rehabilitative care for patients with selected disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems. Working under the direction of the Nurse Manager, the WOCN independently delivers comprehensive, evidence-based care in complex patient situations and serves as a clinical resource to nursing and medical staff. The nurse partners with patients, families, and other care team members, supports patient-centered goals, and practices according to Wellstar’s Professional Practice Model, applicable system policies, the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act, and American Nurses Association standards. The role requires specialty certification and licensure as described in the posting. The WOCN evaluates patients and develops individualized care plans for wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and continence concerns; provides specialist consultation and education; and coordinates safe, quality care across the continuum. When working in the outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Unit, the nurse also provides care associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), monitors patients and treatment delivery, operates and maintains chamber systems, and documents treatment and equipment checks. The position contributes to interdisciplinary collaboration, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, research utilization, and development of protocols and care resources. It also includes precepting students and colleagues, orienting new hires, and providing continuing education to staff. The posting identifies the work shift as day.

Requirements

Associate degree in Nursing or nursing diploma; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is preferred.
Current BLS, American Red Cross BLS, or BLS Instructor certification required upon hire.
Current single-state RN license or RN multistate compact license required.
Minimum three years of experience as a staff nurse in an acute care setting.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Basic computer skills and ability to use technology to support clinical care.
Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and customer service skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to emergencies decisively, calmly, and respectfully.
Excellent time-management skills.
Evidence-based nursing practice, analytical ability, and strong critical-thinking skills.
Knowledge of and adherence to the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act, the nursing scope of practice, and American Nurses Association Code of Ethics standards.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
National certification in the area of specialty, preferred upon hire.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), preferred upon hire.
Provisional Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS-P), preferred within 180 days.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients and develop individualized, evidence-based plans of care for wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and continence issues.
Respond to physician consults by writing orders within the WOCN scope of practice and establishing standing orders for other nurses to follow.
Determine the type and frequency of wound and ostomy care, adapting care as patient conditions change.
Mark appropriate and alternative ostomy sites before surgery and provide pre- and post-operative education and guidance on psychosocial, sexual, and body-image adaptation.
Apply the nursing process and evidence-based practice, coordinating care through effective partnerships and critical thinking.
Deliver patient-centered care through comprehensive handoffs, interdisciplinary communication, patient teaching, and attention to patient goals.
Follow current clinical practice standards with a focus on safety and quality.
In the outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Unit, apply knowledge of wound-healing strategies, HBO therapy indications, and treatment protocols.
Provide and document patient care immediately before, during, and after HBO treatment; monitor treatment gas delivery and patients for adverse reactions; intervene according to established protocols.
Reinforce age-specific education on HBO therapy and related conditions, and perform ordered treatments such as vital signs, blood glucose checks, and emergency procedures within scope of practice.
Document HBO treatment details, including chamber settings, treatment duration, patient response, and relevant observations.
Operate chamber controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to policies and physician orders; maintain accurate operational logs and records.
Maintain hyperbaric chambers and support systems under guidance, clean chambers between treatments, and maintain emergency equipment and supplies while documenting equipment checks.
Serve as a clinical expert in committees and community groups; lead outcome evaluations, participate in improvement initiatives, evaluate and develop product formularies and algorithms, and support specialty bed management for bariatric patients.
Coordinate safe, quality care through interdisciplinary planning and rounds, timely documentation, and promotion of a respectful, inclusive clinical environment.
Participate in performance improvement, research, research utilization, shared governance, and evaluation of patient-care products through value analysis.
Collect data, pose clinical questions, consult experts, and use appropriate resources and evidence to advance practice.
Plan patient care across the care continuum and participate in developing protocols and procedures to improve outcomes and reduce readmissions, avoidable days, and adverse events.
Support efficient use of human and material resources.
Precept specialty and nurse practitioner students and mentor professional nurses, staff, and students.
Provide orientation and formal and informal education to new hires and existing nurses and nursing care assistants.
Maintain confidentiality and corporate compliance, complete required education and proficiencies, and comply with Wellstar policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.
Perform other duties as assigned.