RN Wound Ostomy

Corewell Health • Dearborn, MI

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The hospital-based Wound Clinician serves as a clinical resource and consultant for the acute care of inpatients with disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems. Care includes acute and chronic wounds, such as complex draining wounds, fistulae, pressure injuries, and vascular ulcers; ostomies; percutaneous tubes; and continence disorders. Professional responsibilities are carried out through direct patient care, clinical consultation, education, research, and administration.

The role uses the nursing process to direct or deliver care to patients with wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) needs, including assessment, diagnosis, identification of outcomes, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The clinician provides individualized wound and skin care consultation, ostomy and continence assessment and management, patient and staff education, and support for clinical protocols and best practices. The position also participates in relevant committees, collaborates with clinical teams, maintains required reports, and contributes to cost-effective selection of WOC supplies and equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
• Two years of relevant experience; the qualifications section also specifies two to four years of recent, relevant nursing experience.
• Registered Nurse (RN) license for the State of Michigan, required upon hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, required upon hire.

Nice To Haves

• Wound Care Certified (WCC) credential from the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO), preferred.
• Wound Ostomy Nurse Certified (CWON) credential from the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), preferred.

Responsibilities

• Use the nursing process to direct or deliver care to patients with WOC needs, including assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Use current physical, psychosocial, and clinical assessment skills and therapeutic communication to determine individual patient needs and expected outcomes.
• Participate in committees or task forces related to wound, ostomy, and continence issues.
• Consult on altered skin integrity and develop individualized plans of care to achieve expected outcomes.
• Guide staff in implementing protocols to identify, control, or eliminate causes of skin breakdown, including selecting appropriate support surfaces.
• Educate patients, caregivers, and staff on skin care, wound management, percutaneous tube care, and management of draining wounds and fistulae.
• Consult on negative pressure wound therapy, including subsequent dressing changes, and coordinate collaborative care that includes the patient’s next care setting.
• Validate pressure injury data collection for nursing quality indicators.
• Provide preoperative and postoperative education to patients and families undergoing ostomy surgery, considering physical and psychological adaptation.
• Mark the preoperative stoma site, considering anatomical markings, physical capabilities, and lifestyle.
• Assess the stoma and its function and initiate appropriate stoma-care procedures, including removing rods or sutures, measuring and fitting a pouching system, and teaching stoma, peristomal skin, and pouch care.
• Provide patients with postoperative and discharge education, including care instructions, referrals, and supply needs.
• Identify risk factors for urinary or fecal continence disorders and assess affected patients.
• Establish continence management programs that may include containment or absorptive products and devices, skin care, and patient or caregiver education and counseling.
• Participate in developing and implementing procedures and protocols based on current national guidelines for ostomy needs, wound management, altered skin integrity, and continence issues.
• Help nursing and medical staff maintain WOC knowledge and competence through continuing education, orientation, collaborative practice committees, and nursing councils.
• Attend continuing education programs related to WOC nursing to maintain current knowledge and skills.
• Collaborate with leadership and multidisciplinary clinical practice teams to establish protocols supporting best practices and optimal clinical benefits for patients needing WOC care.
• Maintain and submit required activity and statistical reports to the appropriate department supervisor.
• Contribute to the selection of cost-effective WOC supplies and equipment, which may be individualized for different units or departments.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package addressing financial, health, and work/life balance goals.
• On-demand pay program powered by Payactiv.
• Discounts directory with deals on restaurants, phone plans, spas, and more.
• Optional identity theft protection, home insurance, and auto insurance.
• Traditional and Roth retirement options with service contribution and matching savings. Eligibility for benefits depends on employment type and status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level