Wound Care Nurse (LPN or RN) - Full Time - Days

Crisp Regional•Cordele, GA

15d

About The Position

Position Summary: Responsible for the skin and wound care program throughout the long-term care center. This position is under the immediate supervision of the Director of Nursing and performs all professional duties as outlined in the corporate Policies and Procedures.

Requirements

Education: Requires an Associate’s degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing or graduation from a Licensed Practical Nurse program from an accredited vocational or community college.
Experience: A minimum of two (2) years previous bed side nursing experience. Experience with wound care and procedures in long term care.
Licensure, Registrations & Certifications: Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in state of practice or current license as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Responsibilities

Chairperson of Skin Care Team.
Oversees the skin and wound documentation in patient/resident’s medical record.
Instructs, educates, and trains staff in wound care and incontinence programs to prevent skin breakdown, heal existing wounds, and maintains patient/resident’s comfort. Provides training for new partners during orientation. Attendance to all sessions of certification training. Completed or in process of completing tests on Acute and Chronic Wounds.
Task skills completed per Nurse Consultant or designee with documentation to include: 1) aseptic treatment procedure, and 2) admission or re-admission of patient/resident to the healthcare center with skin breakdown. (May use admissions without skin breakdown with permission of Wound Care Consultant.)
Collaborates with physician and/or nurses regarding recommendations for wound and skin care following the company’s formulary.
Performs wound care and/or treatments following physician orders using aseptic or sterile technique following orders and policy. Uses universal precautions and maintain infection control standards when performing treatments and disposing of soiled dressings. Provides patient/resident privacy when performing care.
Oversees observation of all patients/residents with wounds for needed pain management during wound or dressing; identification of need will be reported to the healthcare center Pain Management Coordinator.
Follows up on all reported skin conditions to determine need for treatment and contacts physician for treatment orders, if needed. Documents in treatment book and medical record as needed.
Keeps treatment cart clean, locked, and with adequate stock levels. Orders wound care supplies in a timely manner to maintain adequate levels. Reports concerns related to maintenance of treatment care or stock levels to DHS.
Monitors pressure redistribution devices for proper working condition. Reports problems to DHS and/or Maintenance Department. Replaces any equipment not working properly. Monitors staff and patients/residents for adherence to wound care program, use of pressure redistribution devices, and assists with monitoring incontinent care.
Oversees observations of all chronic and complex areas on a weekly schedule according to the Skin and Wound Care Policy. Information will be documented according to the Skin and Wound Care Policy. Will be responsible for notification of the physician and legal representative of any changes in wounds or treatments.
Oversees review of implementation of nutritional protocol as needed. Reviews labs and requests orders for labs pertaining to wound status as needed.
Oversees completion of weekly reports (Pressure Ulcer and Wounds Other Than Pressure Ulcers). Submits copies Wound Care Consultant, Care Plan Coordinator and any other person as indicated, in a timely manner.
Completes Section “M” of MDS on all patients/residents, assists with information pertinent to RAP #16, and adds interventions or changes to care plans as needed.
Oversees reporting any significant changes in resident’s condition to Charge Nurse, Case Mix Director, legal representative, physician and Director of Nursing.
Monitors, as scheduled by center, compliance of weekly skin observations repots to DHS any not-compliance issues. Evaluates treatments on a weekly basis and recommends changes in treatment as necessary.
Reviews and completes risk observations according to the Risk Observation: Skin Integrity Policy on all new admissions, re-admissions, quarterly and yearly MDS, with each significant change MDS and with clinical change of condition.
Oversees skin observations on all new admissions/re-admissions and documents the results in skin notes and on appropriate forms. If not present during admission, will follow-up on next duty day present in the healthcare center. If skin observations are not completed timely on admission/readmission, this is to be reported to DHS for follow-up.
Observes all new admissions/re-admissions for appropriate preventive measures to prevent skin breakdown. Implements placement of appropriate pressure redistribution devices and skin/wound care procedures.
Audits treatment sheets and physician order sheets at the end of the month to correct and complete orders for each treatment being done.
Perform other related job duties as assigned.