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

Mary Washington Healthcare•Fredericksburg, VA

2d•$42 - $54

About The Position

The Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) is a registered professional nurse with specialized expertise developed through a certification 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 role serves as a clinical resource for MWHC Associates through clinical consultation, education, policy and procedure updates, quality improvement, and standardization of wound and ostomy products. The CWON serves patients from neonate through geriatric age groups and supports high-quality care and improved patient outcomes. The position uses the nursing process in direct patient care, education, consultation, research, and administration. It provides wound, ostomy, fistula, and continence assessment and care; supports continuity between inpatient and outpatient settings; coordinates care with providers, patients, families, and staff; and develops and evaluates teaching programs and clinical protocols. The CWON also contributes to professional practice, staff development, research utilization, product evaluation, and prevalence studies. This role requires a BSN, a valid Virginia or reciprocal compact-state RN license, at least three years of medical-surgical nursing practice, and wound ostomy certification within three years of hire. AHA BLS Provider CPR is required at hire. Compensation is $42.32–$53.86.

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.
Critical-thinking and analytical skills; ability to multitask, communicate effectively, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and cope with difficult situations.
Ability to tolerate irregular hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends.
Physical ability to walk and stand constantly; use arms and hands constantly; bend, stoop, kneel, and squat frequently; lift 35 pounds; push and pull 20 pounds; reach above or overhead; work in confined spaces; and meet auditory and visual demands, including color determination.
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 comprehensive wound, ostomy, fistula, and continence assessments; implement and evaluate established treatment plans; demonstrate techniques; document care in the electronic medical record; and maintain continuity-of-care statistics.
Promote continuity between inpatient and outpatient settings by consulting with patients, families, and healthcare providers about post-discharge needs and services, documenting actions, and assisting with staff skills validation and orientation.
Coordinate and enhance care for patient populations at high risk for integumentary complications in collaboration with providers and nurse managers; review and recommend care based on treatment plans and participate in prevalence studies.
Plan, implement, and evaluate patient and family teaching programs; assess readiness for self- or family-care after discharge; document teaching effectiveness; consult on post-discharge referrals; and provide input on teaching protocols.
Contribute to wound, ostomy, and continence treatment protocols and care-management strategies, and teach critical-thinking and problem-solving techniques.
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 use; 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.
Work with Supply Chain to conduct clinical equipment and product trials and evaluations.
Maintain current medical-surgical knowledge through professional literature, conferences, training, and site visits; share relevant information and help implement it across departments.
Facilitate prevalence-study data collection, education, and dissemination of results; provide unit-specific feedback, follow-up, and improvement action plans.
Perform other duties as assigned.