WOUND CARE REGISTERED NURSE

Central Valley Specialty Hospital•Modesto, CA

70d•Onsite

About The Position

This job description is a record of the essential functions of the listed job. The job description provides the employee, CEO, Human Resources, applicants and other agencies with a clear understanding of the job, where it fits into the organization, and the skill and work requirements in relation to other jobs. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job description is not intended to limit normal change and growth. The hospital will make reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals who are capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. POPULATION SERVED The position involves direct patient care for a population of patients between the ages of 18 and older. Age specific experience and/or special training and/or expertise is not required to serve this population. POSITION SUMMARY Wound Care RN coordinates treatment to provide comprehensive wound assessments and plan of care including goals, implementation of treatment, evaluation and outcomes for patients throughout the organization. Provides patient, family and staff education regarding wound management, prevention of pressure ulcers, support surfaces, dressing selections and other therapies. Is a resource person for physicians, wound team, and clinical staff. Additionally is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision. Participates in performance improvement plan of the organization.

Requirements

CA Registered Nurse license
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities
Dedicated to the provision of quality patient care
Use sound judgment in decision-making
Wound experience
CPR certification required
Ability to express or exchange ideas
Ability to understand communication of others with or without adaptive devices
Ability to perform advanced level mathematics
Ability to read at a secondary level
Universal precautions will be observed in order to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Under circumstances in which differentiation between body fluid types is difficult or impossible, all body fluids shall be considered potentially infectious materials. All blood or other potentially infectious materials will be considered infectious regardless of the status.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree or five (5) years of experience in Wound Care Management is preferred.
Advanced cardiac life support certification required within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

Implements wound care program to include patient care protocols, documentation tools and wound care formulary.
Establishes standards of care, competencies, policies and procedures in quality, cost-efficient, and effective skin care wound management for all clinical staff, including: Licensed Nurses, Physical Therapist, Nursing Assistants, Dieticians, and Medical Doctors.
Empowers all clinical staff to effectively assess wounds, recommend appropriate protocols, and advocates with physicians.
Educates staff on protocols that preserve integrity of the skin and promote wound healing.
Oversees the ulcer prevention and management program including tracking and reporting pressure ulcers.
Acquisition and appropriate use of specialty beds and other pressure reduction devices, compression devices and wound vacuum systems.
Identifies patient’s needs and communicates that need to the patient’s physician.
Provides basic wound care training and orientation to all new nursing and therapy staff on hire; provides ongoing in-services and training relating to skin and wound care.
Works with vendors to maintain cost effective wound care formulary.
Participates in performance improvement activities.
Participates in marketing programs as needed.
Initiates an on-going systematic assessment of the patient wounds through interview, observation, and physical examination.
Provides, plans, coordinates or manages nursing care, nursing services, and health education to patients/residents.
Interprets assessment data and information to develop a nursing care plan which contains problem identification, nursing diagnosis, nursing orders, approaches, interventions, short/long term goals, and discharge planning.
Develops nursing care plan utilizing nursing diagnosis
Assesses safety and fall risk levels for patients
Assures that medical orders are transcribed and processed accurately, and integrates the medical care plan into the provision of nursing care.
Assures that medication/I.V. administration is correct and according to the established nursing policies and procedures.
Provides for personal and environmental safety in accordance with hospital and nursing policies and procedures
Demonstrates skills in handling emergency and life-threatening situations
Assures that documents in the medical record are complete, factual, accurate and timely.
Provides nursing care to meet patient needs:
Performs a complete head-t—toe assessment of each assigned patient per shift using proper documentation tools.
Acts promptly on changes in patient condition, utilizing proper documentation tools.
Performs basic ventilator management and trouble-shooting.
Provides direction and leadership in patient care to assigned personnel.
Acts as a team leader.
Makes assignments for team.
Prioritizes activities and plans for effective use of time for patient needs.
Communicates the plan of nursing care for each patient through reports, conferences, rounds, and patient care records.
Shift to shift report and shift huddle with aides
Delegates tasks to aides; monitors to make sure delegated tasks are completed appropriately.
Demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of nursing assistants in areas of new techniques, policies, and procedures.
Preceptor
Participates in the quality improvement activities of nursing.
Attends appropriate meetings
Communicates identified learning needs of self and others to the DON.
Adheres to established policies and procedures of the hospital and Nursing Department.
Actively participates on nursing committees.
Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
Evaluates own performance and seeks opportunities for growth and expansion of skills
Takes initiative in upgrading and maintaining skills necessary to provide quality care to patients and leadership to assigned staff.
Acquires continuing education sufficient to maintain licensure and certification
Maintains current nursing licensure
Provides Human Resources and DON with a copy of current nursing license.
Maintains required competencies
Completes assigned program tracks assigned by DON/CNO.
Completes appropriate level of Clinical Advancement within established timeframes.
Membership in appropriate professional organizations.
Assumes responsibility for maintain/enhancing physical health and alleviating stress
Attendance
Demonstrates competency in a variety of nursing skills as demonstrated and evaluated on at least an annual basis.
Attends Annual Skills Fair
Displays a “customer service” attitude toward patients, visitors, and other staff members at all times.
Demonstrates basic telephone skills (how to answer, place on hold, and transfer a call.)
Utilizes intercom
Demonstrates how to page physicians or others on call.
Abides by all safety, infection control, and other guidelines as required.
Follows guidelines for caring for patients in isolation.
Utilizes hand-washing techniques.
Cleans equipment between patient usage.
Reports personal symptoms of suspected illness or contagious disease to the Employee Health Nurse.
Demonstrated knowledge of universal blood and body fluid precautions.
Promotes an ethic of continuous quality improvement in all matters associated with the position, and documents specific quality improvement implementation.
Performs all other tasks and duties as may be assigned.
Provides a level of competency to treat patients 18 and older.
Adults: Involves them with care planning by meeting any needs they identify during assessment.
Identifies their normal patterns of living and strives to attain them.
Geriatric: Strives to obtain understanding by speaking distinctly and moving slowly.
Involves family as much as possible.
Follow environment of care plan
Follow established clinical practices
Routine assessment of the environment for high risks with immediate correction (look for dangerous things and fix them; identify high risk issues and fix them)
Pay attention to detail
Listen carefully
Ensure understanding of treatment and services
Timely follow-up on commitments
Constantly learn about the customers and identify their needs
We acknowledge our customers with a smile and treat them as welcomed guests
Listen to our customers
Look at each interaction as an opportunity to promote courtesy with our customers
We treat each other as we treat our guests
We strive to exceed our customer’s expectations
Maintain a clean and organized environment, including workspaces
Control hospital odors
All employees are compliant with the dress code
All employees communicate in a professional and courteous manner , including body language
Protect the privacy of patients
Maintain a quiet atmosphere
Availability, assessment and application of the resources
Do it right the first time
Pay attention to details
Save steps through planning
Timely responses
Accident/Injury Reporting – Reports any accidents, injuries, and unsafe equipment and conditions to supervisor by the end of the shift and reports any pre-existing conditions as identified by the ADA.
Unsafe Conditions – Immediately reports and corrects, if possible, unsafe conditions or equipment.
Workplace Standards – Compiles with relevant regulations, standards and policies governing safe workplace environment (OSHA, Accreditation, etc.)
Safety Techniques – Maintains current knowledge of all aspects of the facility’s safety program by attending safety-related training as mandated upon hire and thereafter as required by facility.
Modified Work – Accepts modified work assignments after receiving the physician’s release to return to work following an accident/ injury.
Follows Prescribed/Recommended Treatment – Follows the prescribed/recommended treatment given by treating physician(s) after an accident/injury.
Education – Participates in required in-services and educational programs on an ongoing basis.
Attendance and Punctuality – Follows all facility guidelines outlining standards of attendance and punctuality. Responsible for reporting to and completing work at assigned times.