Wound Care RN

Yale New Haven Health•New London, CT

About The Position

The Wound Care RN consults on the management and education of patients with pressure ulcers, ostomies, draining wounds, and tissue trauma. The nurse serves as a consultant and resource for nursing staff and physicians to strengthen their competence in caring for this patient population, and participates in educational programs and appropriate hospital and community activities. The role assesses patients and staff learning needs; provides consultations, demonstrations, and educational programs; selects and evaluates wound, ostomy, and skin-care products and equipment; and supports patient adjustment to ostomy-related psychosocial, emotional, and sexual changes. The nurse also participates in pressure-ulcer prevalence studies and related team activities.

Requirements

Graduate of an approved school of nursing.
BSN required within three years of assuming the position.
At least three years of nursing experience, preferably in an acute-care setting.
Current State of Connecticut nursing license.
BLS required.
Wound certification required within one year of date of hire.

Nice To Haves

Nursing experience in an acute-care setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess nursing staff learning needs and help staff build competence in caring for patients at risk for pressure ulcers and patients with ulcers, ostomies, draining wounds, and tissue trauma through conferences and demonstrations of care.
Consult with staff, colleagues, consumers, and allied health professionals, including hospice; plan and conduct educational programs; and provide ostomy, wound drainage, and skin-care orientation as requested by the Wound Care Clinical Coordinator and nurse managers.
Demonstrate knowledge and skill in ostomy and skin-care products, select and order appropriate patient supplies, and conduct product and treatment-method comparison studies as needed.
Work with the Clinical Coordinator of Wound Care to develop teaching materials for patients who have ostomy surgery.
Provide community agencies with education, support, and information on caring for patients with ostomies, draining wounds, and tissue trauma.
Assess the needs of patients with ostomies, pressure ulcers, draining wounds, and tissue trauma.
Select and mark stoma sites as ordered by a physician.
Select equipment for individual patient needs and evaluate and recommend changes to equipment and related products used in hospital ostomy, wound, and skin-care management.
Recognize psychosocial, emotional, and sexual adjustments experienced by stoma patients and implement appropriate interventions.
Participate in quarterly pressure-ulcer prevalence studies and report findings.
Actively participate in the Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Team and complete yearly wound/skin-care competency requirements.
Meet performance expectations for customer service, teamwork, resource utilization, and staff and self-development.
Perform other duties as assigned or directed to support smooth department or unit operations.