Wound Treatment Associate

West Tennessee Healthcare•Jackson, MS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Overview The Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) will provide evidence-based, best practice care to patients in the hospital and outpatient ostomy clinic settings. The Wound Ostomy Continence (WOC) department provides outpatient ostomy services for pre and postoperative teaching and ostomy related problems including both physical and emotional. The department plays an integral role in the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries and also provides topical management recommendations for other types of skin integrity issues not included in the nurse driven standing orders. The WTA will function under the direction of a WOC specialty nurse (CWON or CWCN). Employee is subject to call back and overtime as required by the hospital. Responsibilities Collaborates with the supervising WOC specialty nurse or other healthcare provider and team members, and in accordance with established policies and procedures: Identifies patients at risk for developing pressure injury and/or wound complications. Implements preventive care per established standing orders and monitors skin status. Implements treatment plans established by the supervising WOC specialty nurse or physician, and uses topical therapies and products as outlined in the plan. Provides routine care that promotes optimal outcomes for the patient with an acute or chronic wound. Provides on-going monitoring of the wound and the patient’s response to the established plan to include observation and measurement of the wound. Notifies the supervising WOC specialty nurse or other healthcare provider when the wound deteriorates or fails to make progress. Identifies patients who require referral to a WOC specialty nurse and/or other healthcare provider. Assists with providing individualized education to patients, caregivers, and team members regarding prevention of pressure injuries and management of wounds. Participates in quality improvement programs Serves as a resource to the bedside nurse caring for the patient. Documents in the electronic medical record. Implement preventative care, treatment plans and explore opportunities for collaborative practice to aid in wound care. Communicates with patients and their families and collaborates with other disciplines for providing emotional support and teaching as needed. Provide high level, evidence-based care as a WTA in the assessment and management of a range of conditions involving the integumentary, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems including, but not limited to, acute and chronic wounds, pressure injuries, ostomies, fistulas and tubes. Collaborate with discharge planning needs with the multidisciplinary team. Collaborate with other departments to provide staff education, best practice guidelines, and product selection. Collect data for necessary reports and records. Participate in development/review of practice policies, standing orders and guidelines. Ensures the proper segregation and safe disposal of hazardous pharmaceutical waste. Assists in orientation of new WTA personnel to the WOC Nurse department as needed and serves as a role model as required. Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth and maintains required certification to fulfill the Wound Treatment Associate role. Contributes to a positive work climate and the overall team effort of the department and hospital. Greets guest in accordance to our Guest Excellence principles. Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.

Requirements

Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse with a Diploma or Associates Degree
Current LPN or Registered Nurse (RN) licensure as approved for practice in the State of Tennessee.
Completion of WTA program endorsed by the WOCN Society.
WTA-C credential
BLS certification must be obtained within the orientation period, and certification must be kept current while in this position.
Proficiency in current practice techniques as acquired through at least 1 year nursing practice if no formal wound care training.
Knowledge of policies and procedures of hospital as acquired through three (3) month probationary period.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a wound treatment associate (WTA-C) is available for nurses from the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse Certification Board (WOCNCB).

Responsibilities

Collaborates with the supervising WOC specialty nurse or other healthcare provider and team members, and in accordance with established policies and procedures
Identifies patients at risk for developing pressure injury and/or wound complications.
Implements preventive care per established standing orders and monitors skin status.
Implements treatment plans established by the supervising WOC specialty nurse or physician, and uses topical therapies and products as outlined in the plan.
Provides routine care that promotes optimal outcomes for the patient with an acute or chronic wound.
Provides on-going monitoring of the wound and the patient’s response to the established plan to include observation and measurement of the wound.
Notifies the supervising WOC specialty nurse or other healthcare provider when the wound deteriorates or fails to make progress.
Identifies patients who require referral to a WOC specialty nurse and/or other healthcare provider.
Assists with providing individualized education to patients, caregivers, and team members regarding prevention of pressure injuries and management of wounds.
Participates in quality improvement programs
Serves as a resource to the bedside nurse caring for the patient.
Documents in the electronic medical record.
Implement preventative care, treatment plans and explore opportunities for collaborative practice to aid in wound care.
Communicates with patients and their families and collaborates with other disciplines for providing emotional support and teaching as needed.
Provide high level, evidence-based care as a WTA in the assessment and management of a range of conditions involving the integumentary, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems including, but not limited to, acute and chronic wounds, pressure injuries, ostomies, fistulas and tubes.
Collaborate with discharge planning needs with the multidisciplinary team.
Collaborate with other departments to provide staff education, best practice guidelines, and product selection.
Collect data for necessary reports and records.
Participate in development/review of practice policies, standing orders and guidelines.
Ensures the proper segregation and safe disposal of hazardous pharmaceutical waste.
Assists in orientation of new WTA personnel to the WOC Nurse department as needed and serves as a role model as required.
Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth and maintains required certification to fulfill the Wound Treatment Associate role.
Contributes to a positive work climate and the overall team effort of the department and hospital.
Greets guest in accordance to our Guest Excellence principles.
Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.