Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse

Tenet•Detroit, MI

About The Position

Under general supervision, serves as a clinical resource and consultant for the acute and rehabilitative care of patients with selected gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary disorders, including complex draining wounds, ostomies, lower-extremity ulcers, fistulae, dermal ulcers, tubes, and continence disorders. The role encompasses the full scope of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing practice, including education, counseling, research, and administration. The nurse educates patients undergoing ostomy surgery and their families, assesses patients perioperatively, helps determine stoma placement when possible, supports ostomy care management, and contributes to discharge planning. The role also provides consultation and direct assistance to nursing staff and other departments, supports staff education, participates in interdisciplinary quality initiatives and research, analyzes pressure-ulcer and wound-care data, helps develop evidence-based procedures and protocols, recommends cost-effective supplies and equipment, and collaborates with Advanced Practice Nurses on wound-care services.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Nursing.
Graduation from an accredited Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse Education Program.
Certification as a WOCN.
Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Michigan.
At least 3–5 years of related clinical experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary educator for patients undergoing ostomy surgery.
Assess patients perioperatively and develop plans of care that promote physical, physiological, and social adaptation.
Determine appropriate stoma placement before surgery when possible.
Educate and counsel patients and families on perioperative ostomy care management and contribute to discharge planning with the Clinical Resource Management team.
Provide treatment and options to ostomy patients experiencing care-management issues.
Assess selected ostomy patients returning to the hospital, including their at-home ostomy care, knowledge, management problems, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Provide consultation, treatment options, and direct assistance to nursing staff and ancillary departments for ostomies, dermal ulcers, wounds, fistulas, lower-extremity ulcers, and skin problems related to fecal and urinary incontinence.
Provide ongoing staff education to maintain current knowledge and competence in ostomy care and wound and skin management.
Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, committees, and meetings that promote high-quality, cost-effective patient care.
Assist with and participate in nursing education activities as needed.
Participate in data collection and analysis for research involving wounds, ostomies, and incontinence.
Collect pressure-ulcer data, complete quarterly analyses of wound-care problems, recommend changes when necessary, and monitor patient outcomes.
Participate in developing and implementing evidence-based procedures and protocols for patients with bladder and bowel disorders requiring an ostomy, impaired or altered skin integrity, or conditions requiring incontinence management and containment.
Recommend standards for selecting cost-effective wound, ostomy, and continence supplies and equipment, based on scientific evidence, product evaluations, and cost-effectiveness comparisons.
Collaborate with Advanced Practice Nurses on all aspects of wound care and wound-care delivery services.