RN-Ambulatory - Advanced Wound Care

SUMMARY

An Advanced Wound Care Nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN) with specialized training in the treatment of Wounds. This is an outpatient clinical position based at the Advanced Wound Care Center at Munson Medical Center. The Wound Care Nurse focuses on the care of persons with acute and/or chronic wounds. The Wound Care Nurse has job responsibilities in the areas of clinical nursing, care coordination, patient and family education and clinical research. The Wound Care Nurse works under the supervision of the Wound Center Nurse Practitioner and supervising physician.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan.

For those hired into an RN position prior to January 1, 2009, it is encouraged to obtain a BSN. Certification in the specialty area of practice is also encouraged.

For those hired into an RN position after January 1st, 2009, it is required to obtain a BSN within 10 years of start date.

For those hired into an RN position after January 1st, 2015, it is required to obtain a BSN within 5 years of start date.

Experience in the clinical area in which application has been made is desirable.

WOCN Certified is preferred.

Is a self-directed professional with the ability to make independent judgments directing patient care.

Demonstrates ability in using the computer with Windows format preferred.

ORGANIZATION

Reports to the Practice Manager. 

Provides direction to LPNs, Medical Assistants, and/or others as appropriate.

Works collaboratively with supervising physician; other physician(s); Wound Care Nurse Practitioner and all members of the patient care team.

POPULATIONS SERVED COMPETENCIES, INCLUDING AGE OF PATIENTS SERVED

     Cares for patients in the age category(s) checked below:

       __Neonatal (birth-1 mo) __Young adult (18 yr-25 yrs)

       __Infant (1 mo-1 yr) __Adult (26 yrs-54 yrs)

       __ Early childhood (1 yr-5 yrs)            __ Sr. Adult (55 yrs-64 yrs)

       __Late childhood (6 yrs-12 yrs) __Geriatric (65 yrs & above)

       __Adolescence (13 yrs-17 yrs) _x_All ages (birth & above)

       _  No direct clinical contact with patients

 
SPECIFIC DUTIES

1. Supports the Mission, Vision and Values of Munson Healthcare.

1. Embraces and supports the Performance Improvement philosophy of Munson Healthcare.

1. Promotes personal and patient safety.

1. Uses effective customer service/interpersonal skills at all times.

1. Develops and implements wound prevention, skin management, and wound treatment programs and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.

1. In conjunction with prescribing providers orders (physician, or APRN), provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management. Performs comprehensive assessments and reassessments to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective use of wound management products and resources. Hands-on care may include conservative selective debridement, dressing applications, appropriate compression and assist the provider with advanced wound care practices. Delegates appropriate wound care actions to LPN/Techs/additional staff.

1. As an interdisciplinary wound care team member, collaborates to establish individualized, comprehensive wound care plans that promote wound prevention and healing.

1. Establishes, re-evaluates and revises facility policies, procedures, and guidelines governing wound care, based on needs, evidenced-based trends, and industry changes

1. Observes patient’s wound status and response to treatments, reporting any changes to the provider or supervising clinician.

1. Provides and reinforces education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff regarding preventative measures, interventions, and individualized patient treatment plans.

1. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
2. Education responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Educate adult and pediatric patients and their families about their Wounds, therapies, and treatments.

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

1. Assessment

      Collects health data in a systematic and ongoing manner involving the patient, family, and other health care providers as appropriate.

      Determines the priority of data collection based on the patient’s immediate condition or needs.

      Documents relevant data in a retrievable form.

1. Diagnosis

      Derives diagnoses from the assessment data.  Validates with the patient, family, and/or other healthcare providers and documents.

1. Identification of Outcomes

      Involves the patient, family, and other healthcare providers in formulating outcomes from the diagnosis that are individualized and includes a time estimate for attainment. 

      Determines outcomes that are culturally appropriate, realistic, attainable and measurable. 

      Documents expected outcomes as measurable goals.

1. Planning

      Individualizes a plan of care with the patient, family, and other health care providers that prescribe interventions to attain expected outcomes.

      Develops a plan of care that establishes priorities, provides for continuity, and is documented.

1. Implementation

      Implements the plan of care in a safe, timely, and appropriate manner and documents interventions.

      Coordinates and collaborates in care delivery.

      Employs health teaching and health promotion strategies.

1. Evaluation

      Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attainment of outcomes and includes the patient, family, and other health care providers as appropriate.

      Documents the patient’s responses to the interventions.

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

1. Quality of Care

      Systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice.

      Embraces and supports the Performance Improvement philosophy of Munson Medical Center.  Participates in quality improvement activities.

      Acknowledges that safety is a self-responsibility.  Knows the physical requirements of the job and works within those guidelines.  Performs job duties safely at all times, utilizing body mechanics and transferring/lifting techniques.

      Plans actions to promote safety.  Reports any unsafe situation/equipment according to Hospital procedure.

      Participates in quality of care activities at the unit level.

      Supports and participates in Shared Governance activities. 

      Utilizes the results of quality of care activities to initiate changes in nursing practice.

1. Practice Evaluation

      Evaluates own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.

      Engages in performance appraisal on a regular basis, identifying areas of strength as well as areas for professional development.  Takes action to achieve identified goals.

      Acquires and maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing practice.

1. Education

      Participates in ongoing educational activities related to clinical knowledge and professional issues.

      Complies with mandatory continuing education requirements to maintain licensure and meet job requirements.

      Seeks experiences that reflect current clinical practice in order to maintain current clinical skills and competence.

1. Collegiality

      Interacts with, and contributes to the professional development of peers and other health care providers as colleagues.

      Contributes to an environment that is conducive to the clinical education of nursing students, other health care students, and other employees as appropriate.

      Contributes to a supportive and healthy work environment.

1. Ethics

      Utilizes the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Nurses and the hospital ethics committee to guide practice. 

      Maintains patient confidentiality within legal and regulatory parameters.

      Acts as a patient advocate and assists patients in developing skills so they can advocate for themselves.

      Delivers care in a manner that is culturally sensitive and preserves patient autonomy, dignity, and rights.

      Maintains a therapeutic and professional patient-nurse relationship with appropriate professional role boundaries.

      Reports illegal, incompetent, or impaired practices.

1. Collaboration

      Collaborates with the patient, family, and other healthcare providers for provision of seamless delivery of services.

      Consults with other health care providers for patient care as needed.

      Participates, as appropriate, in the organization’s structures and processes.

1. Research

      Utilizes current research findings and current practice guidelines to strengthen patient care.

      Participates in the identification and implementation of suitable research activities, which man include identification of a research question, participating in the conduct of research, and incorporating research as a basis for learning.

      Uses research findings in the development of policies, procedures, and quality improvement efforts.

1. Resource Utilization

      Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning and delivering patient care.

      Assigns or delegates tasks consistent with organizational policies, procedures, legal, and regulatory requirements, according to the knowledge and skills of the designated caregiver.

1. Leadership

      Provides leadership in the profession and the professional practice setting.

      Supervises LPNs, techs, clerks, nursing assistants, and/or other appropriate categories for the care assigned to the patients for whom the RN is accountable.

      Promotes advancement of the profession through involvement with professional organizations.