Wound Care Nurse

NHC Careers • Knoxville, TN

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wound Care Nurse is responsible for maintaining clinical competency through the application of nursing knowledge and skills, leadership, and communication. The role uses the nursing process to assess, plan, and implement care; organizes workflow and priorities to meet patient-care needs; follows current standards of practice and applicable local, state, and federal regulations; and applies continuous quality improvement and problem-solving skills.

Working with the interdisciplinary care team, the nurse supports accurate wound assessment and individualized plans of care for wound treatment and pressure-ulcer prevention. The position also communicates with patients and families about wound status and healing, supports quality assurance and performance improvement, provides staff education, and supervises nursing partners as assigned.

NHC Fort Sanders is a 140-bed, post-acute, 24-hour skilled nursing Health Care Center serving people who need skilled nursing care after events such as a stroke, joint replacement surgery, a cardiac procedure, or a serious illness. The facility is located at 2120 Highland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916.

Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Hold a current, unencumbered license to practice in the state of employment as an LPN or RN.

Nice To Haves

• Wound Care Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work with the interdisciplinary care team to ensure accurate patient assessments and develop or revise individualized plans of care related to wounds and pressure-ulcer prevention.
• Maintain open communication with patients and families about wound status and encourage their participation in care decisions.
• Assess all patients for wounds within 24 to 72 hours of admission or return.
• Visually inspect each patient's skin at least weekly; delegate inspections to a qualified licensed provider when indicated.
• Work with nursing partners, especially CNAs, to identify and report new or suspicious skin issues during a patient's stay.
• Review admission wound-care orders for accuracy and dressing availability; update the provider on wound status and requested changes to care or dressings; recommend next steps to support healing.
• Keep patients and families informed about wound status and healing progress.
• Measure pressure ulcers and wounds accurately at least weekly and document measurements in the EHR.
• Report wound measurements to center and regional leadership as required, including presenting them at center leadership meetings when needed.
• Take responsibility for quality assurance and performance improvement related to wound care and pressure-ulcer prevention.
• Provide center in-services on wound care and pressure-ulcer prevention when indicated.
• Ensure nursing partners understand pressure relief in bed and chairs and the positioning aids needed for pressure-ulcer prevention.
• Assist with medications and treatments as needed, including IV fluids and IV medications.
• Assist with patient admissions as required.
• Orient new nursing partners, when indicated, on wound-care practices, pressure-ulcer prevention, and related infection control.
• Protect each patient's personal dignity and physical safety and help patients achieve the highest possible level of self-care.
• Assist the physician during rounds.
• Supervise LPNs and other nursing partners as assigned.
• Complete performance evaluations as required.
• Carry out personnel disciplinary actions promptly and effectively when indicated.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree