Registered Nurse (RN) - Wound Care PRN - Outpatient

2810 Douglas Hospital, Inc.•Griffin, GA

About The Position

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Clinical Nurse (WOCN) provides acute and rehabilitative care for patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems. Working under the direction of the Nurse Manager, the WOCN independently provides comprehensive care in complex patient situations and serves as a clinical resource to nursing and medical staff. The role practices within the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act, American Nurses Association standards, organizational policies, and WellStar’s Professional Practice Model, using evidence-based care and patient-centered communication. The nurse evaluates patients and develops individualized care plans for wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and continence issues; supports patients and families before and after ostomy surgery; and coordinates care with the interdisciplinary team. In the outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Unit, the role provides and documents care before, during, and after hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatments, monitors patients for adverse reactions, operates and maintains hyperbaric equipment, and follows established safety and treatment protocols. The WOCN also contributes to quality improvement, research utilization, clinical education, product and protocol development, and professional development. The nurse supports staff education and orientation, precepts nurses and students, and promotes effective use of resources and safe, high-quality patient care.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited or approved school of nursing.
Minimum of 3 years as a staff nurse in an acute care setting.
Required single-state registered nurse license or RN multi-state compact license.
Required Basic Life Support certification; the posting also lists BLS Instructor and BLS Provisional certifications as required.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Basic computer skills and ability to use technology to support clinical care.
Strong interpersonal, collaborative, 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 skills, and strong critical-thinking skills.
Knowledge of and ability to uphold the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act and apply 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 wound, ostomy, and continence nursing (WOCN) program and national certification in the clinical specialty area.
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.
National certification in the area of specialty, upon hire.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients and develop individualized, evidence-based care plans for wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and continence issues.
Respond to physician consults by writing orders within the WOCN scope of practice and applicable standing orders, and determine the type and frequency of wound and ostomy care.
Mark sites for ostomy surgery and provide patients and families with pre- and postoperative education and guidance regarding psychosocial, sexual, and body-image adaptation.
Perform the nursing process and deliver individualized, evidence-based, patient-centered care in coordination with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams.
Use current clinical practice standards with a focus on safety and quality, and complete timely documentation and handoffs.
In the outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Unit, provide and document care immediately before, during, and after HBO treatments in accordance with policies, protocols, orders, and scope of practice.
Monitor patients during HBO treatments for oxygen intolerance, claustrophobia, hypoglycemic reactions, decompression sickness, and other adverse reactions; intervene under the direction of the program manager or designee according to established protocols.
Reinforce age-specific patient and family education about HBO therapy and related conditions, and perform ordered treatments such as vital signs, blood glucose checks, and emergency procedures.
Monitor delivery of treatment gas as ordered and document treatment details, chamber settings, duration, patient response, and relevant observations.
Operate chamber controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to policy and physician orders, and maintain accurate operational logs and records.
Maintain hyperbaric chambers and related support systems under guidance; clean chambers after treatments; and maintain emergency equipment and supplies, documenting equipment checks.
Serve as a clinical expert in committees and community groups; lead or participate in outcome evaluations, practice improvement initiatives, and development of product formularies and care algorithms.
Coordinate safe, quality patient care through interdisciplinary communication, planning, rounds, documentation, and a respectful, inclusive clinical environment.
Participate in performance improvement, research utilization, shared governance, and evaluation of patient-care products and practices.
Maintain confidentiality and compliance, complete mandatory education and proficiencies, and serve as a preceptor or mentor for nurses, staff, and students.
Participate in data collection and use appropriate experts, resources, data, and evidence to address clinical practice questions.
Plan patient care across the care continuum and participate in developing protocols and procedures to support best-practice outcomes.
Support efficient and effective use of human and material resources.
Provide education and orientation to new hires and continuing education to nurses and nursing care assistants on wound, ostomy, and continence care.
Precept specialty students and Nurse Practitioner students.