Job Objective: Under the direction of the Department Director, the Wound Care Registered Nurse is responsible for assessment and care of patients with skin integrity issues, wounds and simple ostomies. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Wound Care Registered Nurse accepts responsibility and accountability for hospitalized patients who require wound care consultation, complex dressing changes, or assistance with education. The Wound Care RN provides consultations for wound care and assists in Performance Improvement projects as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. NURSING PROCESS
2. 1. Provides direct care or consultation to patients with acute and chronic wounds, pressure injuries, draining surgical wounds, simple ostomies, and incontinence related skin conditions.
   2. Supports and collaborates with the nursing staff to formulate effective plans of care, sharing skills and knowledge while assisting in problem-solving
   3. Assists in education and management of patients undergoing ostomy surgery, providing ostomy education and/or discharge planning.
   4.  Participates in defining measurable outcomes of care and assists in the development and implementation of wound related care plans.
   5. Assists in the evaluation and selection of supplies and equipment for patients with draining wounds, pressure ulcers and/or incontinence.
   6. Documents patient care in accordance with Medical Center policy.
3. PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT
4. 1. Assists in performance improvement projects and participates with Pressure Ulcer Prevalence and Incidence studies as required
   2. Attend staff meetings or patient conferences to facilitate the communication of special needs of patients
   3. Demonstrates knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific groups
   4. Participates in age specific educational and training programs.
5. EDUCATION
6. 1. Assists and participates in wound and skin related education programs for hospital employees.
   2. Fosters an atmosphere of learning and professional growth among hospital nursing staff.

1. RESEARCH
2. 1. Supports the research process and assists in collecting data for skin integrity, pressure injury or related studies.

Non-Essential Duties:

• Participates in unit or hospital-based committees.
• Other duties as assigned, within compliance with Title 22, The Joint Commission, and CMS.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

·         Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors

·         Conforms to required accreditation standards.

·         Conforms with and supports Medical Center quality management and performance improvement guidelines

Skills

·         Skill and ability to follow telephone etiquette/standards

·         Displays a willingness to work as a team player

·         Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties

Abilities

·         Ability to adhere to all established AVMC policies and procedures and to interpret and function under these.

·         Ability to organize work and establish priorities

·         Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties

·         Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters

·         Ability to adopt any function commonly assigned to unlicensed assistive personnel, or as allowed within scope of nursing practice, as needed

·         Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times

·         Ability to meet basic health requirements and physical job standards

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone.  Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Education and Experience:

Education

·         Associates of Science in Nursing required.

·         Bachelor of Science in Nursing or higher preferred.

·         Previous coursework in advanced wound care certification preferred.

Experience

·         One year’s experience with management of acute and chronic wounds in the acute care setting strongly preferred; candidates with at least one year outpatient, home, and/or sub-acute wound care experience also preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Current California Registered Nurse license.
• Current CPR certification.
• Wound and/or Ostomy Care related certification preferred. Certification will be required to be obtained prior to completion of one year in Wound Care Department.

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

·         Ability to adhere with AVMC Attendance and Punctuality Policy.

·         Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy.

·         Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.

·         Ability to adhere to the department dress code.

·         Ability to organize work and establish priorities.

·         Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties.

·         Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards.

·         Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters.

·         Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff.

·         Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC.

·         Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patients, hospital and department information.

·         Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations.

·         Safely and effectively use all the equipment necessary to carry out duties.

·         Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures.

·         Conforms with required and appropriate accreditation and regulatory requirements.

·         Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines.

·         Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education.

·         Display a willingness to work as a team player.

·         Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.

·         Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors.

·         Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.

·                         Ability to follow the Code of Conduct.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work is often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical conditions
• Accepts additional workload during times of unexpected circumstances, e.g., high activity, high census, and sudden emergencies
• May be exposed to contaminated instruments that may cause infections, burns, or cuts
• May also be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB.  THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.