Wound Nurse - North Liberty Hospital

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wound Nurse functions as a clinical expert and care coordinator for the wound and ostomy patient population, working with administrative and clinical nursing staff, physicians, patients, families, and community partners. The nurse coordinates care across disciplines and settings, supports continuity of care from patient visits through admission and discharge, provides direct nursing care when necessary, manages telephone triage, and communicates with referring physicians and other members of the health care team. The position is based at North Liberty Hospital and is a regular salaried role scheduled for 40 hours per week. Flexible scheduling options include four 10-hour shifts or five 8-hour shifts per week. No holidays or call are required. The role provides specialized clinical and educational expertise in wound and ostomy care. It supports patient, family, staff, student, and resident education; contributes to staff orientation and education programs; and leads or participates in quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives. The nurse applies relevant research, contributes to policy and process improvements, and collaborates with appropriate clinical practice staff to implement practice changes. The role also participates in quality assessment, research, regulatory compliance, budget and cost-containment input, and professional and community committees and projects. The position requires a baccalaureate degree in Nursing, a current nursing license, active WOCNCB wound certification or attainment of certification within six months of employment, and at least three years of recent RN experience on a unit caring for wound and ostomy patients. Demonstrated expertise in wound and ostomy care, strong written and verbal communication, and patient education experience are required. The position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in Nursing.
Current license to practice nursing.
Active WOCNCB wound certification, or certification attained within six months of employment.
At least three years of recent RN experience on a unit caring for wound and ostomy patients.
Demonstrated expertise in wound and ostomy care.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with patient education.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with nursing, medical staff, and other health professionals to develop and review standards and plan, implement, and evaluate patient care for the relevant patient population.
Provide direct nursing care when necessary and follow universal precautions.
Coordinate patient care across disciplines and between UI Health Care, local communities, home health agencies, referring physicians, and community support services.
Facilitate continuity of care, including coordinating testing, following up on results, obtaining medical histories, arranging follow-up visits, and providing medication and rehabilitation teaching.
Participate in ongoing patient management to facilitate timely discharge and make effective use of supportive services.
Serve as a clinical resource or consultant for the patient population and autonomously communicate with health care team members and referring physicians.
Revise patient care regimens by telephone or telemedicine within collaboratively developed protocols, and manage and support telephone triage.
Provide leadership for direct patient care programs in the area of specialization in collaboration with unit-based nurse management teams.
Participate in clinical practice decisions, committees, projects, regulatory implementation, and activities related to operational budgets and cost containment.
Design and implement individualized health education activities for wound and ostomy patients and their families; serve as an educational and clinical resource to patients, families, staff, students, and residents.
Support, coordinate, and present staff education and orientation related to wound and ostomy practice, and facilitate student learning while monitoring care delivered.
Communicate detailed and complex medical information to varied audiences and serve as a patient care provider, advocate, consultant, educator, researcher, and quality manager.
Follow policies and documentation requirements, participate in quality improvement initiatives, report variances, and recommend process or policy enhancements related to pressure injury prevention, MARSI, and MASD.
Participate in quality assessment and improvement programs using risk and quality management data.
Use relevant nursing research to improve clinical practice and investigate care problems related to wound and ostomy patients; participate in related research activities.
Apply wound and ostomy expertise to improve nursing quality and supporting services, and lead or participate in evidence-based projects in collaboration with appropriate CPL or NPL staff.
Maintain clinical expertise and management and consultant skills, adhere to professional and legal nursing standards, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate respect, communication, accountability, integrity, and compassion.