• Job Description

  Req#: 858

  POSITION OVERVIEW:

  Collaborates with healthcare providers to direct and coordinate comprehensive care for patients with wounds, ostomies, fistulas, and complex skin integrity issues. The Wound/Ostomy Nurse will serve the inpatient, swing bed and outpatient areas. Plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital-acquired conditions, and enhancing patient dignity and comfort. Independently assess patient and family learning needs and provide education accordingly.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Graduate of accredited school of nursing. Current Iowa license (RN).
  • Minimum 2 years of RN experience
  • Wound and ostomy experience preferred.
  • Must have willingness to complete an accredited CWON Nursing Education Program & certification within 3 years.
  • BCLS, ACLS as indicated by area of responsibility.

  ACCOUNTABILITY:

  Reports to Perioperative Manager and Perioperative Assistant Manager

  DIRECT REPORTS:

  None

  POSITION-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

  Wound Care:

  • Assess and manage acute and chronic wounds (e.g., pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, diabetic
    ulcers).
  • Recommend advanced wound care products and therapies.
  • Monitor healing and prevent complications.
  • Implement plans to prevent pressure ulcers and other wound developments.
  • Under the direction of a designated wound care provider and in accordance with provider orders, performs appropriate debridement of devitalized tissue.
  • Provides consultation for individuals with altered skin integrity to develop individualized plans of care and attain expected outcomes.
  • Provides guidance to staff in implementing protocols to identify, control, or eliminate etiologic factors for skin breakdown, including selection of appropriate support surfaces.
  • Validates pressure ulcer data collection for nursing quality indicators.

  Ostomy Care:

  • Assists providers with selecting optimal stoma sites preoperatively to promote post-operative independence.
  • Provides preoperative and postoperative education to patients (and their families) who are undergoing ostomy surgery, with consideration of the need for physical and psychological adaptation.
  • Assess the stoma and stoma functioning and initiates appropriate procedures for stoma care.
  • Provides appropriate educational information to patients, including postoperative and discharge instructions about care, referrals, and supply needs.
  • Serves as a resource for patients after discharge through telephone consultation or outpatient services.

  Education & Consultation:

  • Educate patients, families, and staff on wound, ostomy, and continence care.
  • Serve as a consultant to interdisciplinary teams.
  • Participate in staff development and policy creation.

  Performs the following nursing functions:

  • Evaluate patient’s electronic medical record.
  • Perform patient assessment.
  • Evaluate vital signs.
  • Perform skin preparation of wound site and patient draping if applicable.
  • Assist provider as needed.
  • Document on the patient’s medical record.
  • Label and prepare specimens for pathology.
  • Maintain asepsis during procedure.
  • Assist in cleaning procedure rooms and instruments as needed.
  • Anticipates need for supplies based on knowledge of patient, procedure being performed, and provider preference.
  • Works with manager to evaluate and budget for ostomy and skin care products and supplies.
  • Ability to work independently and acts as liaison between providers, care team, the patient, and the family. Serves as patient advocate, as necessary.
  • Demonstrates the ability to use critical thinking skills in prioritization, delegation, decision making, and practicing safety.
  • Attends all required meetings and in-services.
  • Other duties as necessary.

  Staff Education

  • Responsible for providing staff training (face-to-face, handouts, etc.) on best practices for skin care and wound and ostomy management.
  • Will complete staff competencies and observations of wound and ostomy care management and provide feedback.

  WORK ENVIRONMENT :

  • Works in a well-illuminated, climate-controlled environment.
  • May come in contact with hazardous chemical or treatment modalities.
  • Possibility exists of exposure to communicable diseases.
  • Involvement in inpatient care may result in unavoidable work-related illness or injury.
  • Work environment is comfortable, with minimal exposure to physical hazards.
  • Moderate to loud noise environment when machines/equipment in use.
  • Involvement in checking in/moving of supplies may result in unavoidable work-related injury.
  • Must be constantly alert for patient/family emergency situations.

• About the company

  Jefferson County Health Center, Iowa's oldest county hospital, offers exceptional health care services for the people of Jefferson County.

Notice