Registered Nurse (RN) - Wound Care PRN - Outpatient

Wellstar Health System•Douglasville, GA

10h

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. Under the direction of the Nurse Manager, the WOCN independently delivers comprehensive, evidence-based care in complex situations and serves as a clinical resource to nursing and medical staff. The nurse partners with patients, families, and significant others, upholds patient voice and system policies, and supports service excellence within WellStar’s shared governance model and Professional Practice Model, 5-Star Nursing. In outpatient wound care and the hyperbaric unit, the WOCN provides care before, during, and after hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatments; monitors patients and treatment delivery; documents care; and operates and maintains chamber equipment and related support systems according to orders, protocols, and safety requirements. The role also includes consultation, patient and staff education, interdisciplinary collaboration, quality improvement, research utilization, and support for evidence-based wound, ostomy, and continence practices.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited or approved school of nursing.
At least 3 years of experience as a staff nurse in an acute care setting.
Required registered nurse license: single-state or multistate compact.
Required Basic Life Support credential; the posting also lists BLS Instructor and BLS Provisional credentials as required options.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Ability to use technology to support clinical care and basic computer skills.
Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and customer-service skills.
Ability to function in a fast-paced environment and respond to emergencies in a decisive, composed, and respectful manner.
Excellent time-management skills.
Evidence-based nursing practice, analytical ability, and strong critical-thinking skills.
Knowledge of and ability to uphold the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act and the American Nurses Association Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics Standards.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing.
Education from an accredited WOCN program and national certification in the clinical specialty area.
National certification in the area of specialty upon hire.
For duties in outpatient wound care with a hyperbaric unit, Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN) certification from the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology.

Responsibilities

Consult with physicians, 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 standing orders for other nurses; determine the type and frequency of care and adjust it as patient conditions change.
Mark potential ostomy sites before surgery and provide pre- and post-operative education and guidance for patients and families, including psychosocial, sexual, and body-image adaptation.
Perform the nursing process and coordinate individualized care through evidence-based practice, critical thinking, effective partnerships, and interdisciplinary communication.
Provide patient-centered, relationship-based care, including handoffs, patient teaching, and care planning focused on patient goals.
Apply current clinical practice standards with emphasis on safety and quality.
In outpatient wound care and the 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 treatments; monitor treatment gas delivery and patients for adverse reactions; and intervene according to established protocols and direction.
Reinforce age-specific education for patients and families about HBO therapy and related diseases; perform ordered treatments such as vital signs, blood glucose checks, and emergency procedures within scope of practice.
Document treatment details, including chamber settings, duration, patient response, and relevant observations.
Operate chamber controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to policies, clinical indications, and physician orders; maintain accurate operational logs and records.
Perform hyperbaric chamber and support-system maintenance under guidance; clean the chamber after treatments and maintain emergency equipment and supplies, documenting checks as required.
Serve as a clinical expert in committees, community groups, and organizations; lead or participate in outcome evaluations and improvement initiatives; evaluate and develop product formularies and algorithms; and support specialty bed management for bariatric patients.
Coordinate safe, high-quality patient care through interdisciplinary planning and rounds, timely documentation, and a respectful, inclusive clinical environment.
Contribute to teamwork and collaboration in a fiscally responsible manner and support recruitment and retention of healthcare team members.
Participate in performance improvement, research utilization, shared governance, and other activities that promote safe, quality patient care.
Maintain patient, family, and staff confidentiality; meet corporate compliance, mandatory education, and proficiency requirements.
Precept or mentor nurses and other staff or students, modeling professional nursing practice and supporting a healthy work environment.
Promote evidence-based practice, nursing research, performance improvement, and value analysis of patient-care products.
Follow organizational policies, clinical competencies, and applicable legal, regulatory, accreditation, and patient-safety requirements.
Participate in data collection, raise clinical questions, consult experts, and use appropriate resources and evidence to address practice questions.
Plan patient care across the care continuum and support efficient use of human and material resources.
Participate in developing protocols and procedures with care managers and other healthcare team members to support best-practice outcomes.
Precept WOCN specialty and Nurse Practitioner students, including students from the Emory University WOCN Program, KSU, and distance-learning programs.
Provide orientation and continuing education to new hires and existing nurses and NCAs on care for patients with wound, ostomy, and continence issues.