Wound Care Nurse
About The Position
The Wound Care Nurse (RN or LPN) maintains clinical competency through integrated nursing knowledge and skills, leadership, and communication. The role uses the nursing process to assess, plan, and implement care; organizes and prioritizes workflow to meet patient needs; applies current standards and applicable local, state, and federal regulations; and uses continuous quality improvement and problem-solving practices. The nurse works with the interdisciplinary care team to assess wounds and prevent pressure ulcers, communicates with patients and families about wound status and healing, and supports patient participation in care decisions. The position also contributes to quality assurance and performance improvement, staff education and orientation, medication and treatment assistance, admissions, physician rounds, and supervision of 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 following events such as stroke, joint replacement surgery, cardiac procedures, or serious illness. It is located at 2120 Highland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916.
Requirements
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- Hold a current, unencumbered license to practice in the state of employment as an RN or LPN.
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.
- Communicate with patients and families about wound status and progress, encouraging their participation in decision-making.
- Assess patients for wounds on admission or return within 24 to 72 hours.
- Visually inspect each patient's skin at least weekly; delegate inspections to a qualified licensed provider when indicated, and work with nursing partners, especially CNAs, to report new or suspicious skin issues.
- Review admission wound-care orders for accuracy and dressing availability; update the provider on wound status and needed modifications, and recommend next steps to aid healing.
- Measure pressure ulcers and wounds accurately at least weekly and document measurements in the EHR; report measurements to center and regional leadership as required, including presentations at center leadership meetings when applicable.
- Handle quality assurance and performance improvement related to wound care and pressure-ulcer prevention.
- Provide center in-services on wound care and pressure-ulcer prevention as indicated, and ensure nursing partners understand pressure relief and the use of positioning aids.
- Assist with medications and treatments as needed, including IV fluids and IV medications.
- Assist with patient admissions as required.
- Help 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 attain the highest possible level of self-care.
- Assist the physician during rounds.
- Supervise LPNs and other nursing partners as assigned and complete performance evaluations as required.
- Carry out personnel disciplinary actions promptly and effectively as indicated.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
