Wound Nurse RN LPN

Description

Position Summary:

In keeping with our organization’s goal of improving the lives of the Residents we serve; the Wound Nurse provides primary skin and wound care to residents in accordance with physician orders, current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, the facility’s established policies and procedures and written plans of care. The Wound Nurse plays a critical role in providing superior customer service and nursing services to all Residents in the facility. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Identifies, manages, and treats specific skin conditions, such as pressure injuries; diabetic, venous, or arterial ulcers; and traumatic or complicated wounds.
• Provide wound care on assigned residents, in accordance with physician orders, following manufacturer recommendations and appropriate techniques.
• Completes a thorough and accurate wound assessment upon notification of wound. Completes follow-up assessments weekly and as needed. Documents all assessments in the medical record.
• Coordinates wound treatment with the wound provider as needed
• Confers with the care plan team in the development of the comprehensive care plan.
• Documents resident care problems, abnormal findings, and changes in resident’s condition. Report to physician, supervisor, and resident/representative.
• Monitors implementation of preventive measures such as turning/positioning, pressure relief devices, nutrition/hydration measures, and toileting/incontinence care to aide in healing and preventing wounds.
• Provides education to resident/representative as needed on topics concerning, wound care techniques, diagnostic results, preventive measures, and wound healing.
• Provides status reports to Director of Nursing weekly.
• Attends or participates in continuing education related to wound management. Completes all assigned training and skills competency, as determined by the facility assessment and facility training plans.
• Obtains physician orders for care and treatment of wounds. Transcribes and initiates orders appropriately. Orders special treatment supplies and equipment, with supervisor approval. 
• Administers medication, as needed, per facility policy and licensure regulations, and complete the appropriate documentation.
• Assists with discharge planning through identification of discharge needs and providing resident/family education as needed.
• Uses proper lifting and body mechanics while delivering care to residents.
• Performs administrative duties as assigned.
• Serves on, participates in, and attends committee meetings as required or appointed.
• Assists with admission, discharge, or care of residents as needed.
• Treats all residents with dignity and respect. Promotes and protects all residents’ rights.
• Establishes a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures. Complies with standards of business conduct, and state/federal regulations and guidelines.
• Follows appropriate safety and hygiene measures at all times to protect residents and themselves.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications.
• Reports noncompliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel. Reports any retaliation or discrimination to HR or compliance officer.
• Reports any allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents to supervisor and/or administrator. Protects residents from abuse, and cooperates with all investigations.  
• Reports any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy.  
• Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and trainings. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility’s emergency plan.
• Reports work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to supervisor.
• Follows established infection control policies and procedures.
• As a condition of employment, completes all assigned training and skills competency.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

License Practical Nurses: This position provides general supervision to CNAs/STNAs, including CNA/STNA retraining, counseling sessions, and implementation of disciplinary actions as necessary. This position does not direct or supervise the work of Registered Nurses.

Registered Nurses: This position provides general supervision to CNAs/STNAs, including CNA/STNA retraining, counseling sessions, and implementation of disciplinary actions as necessary.

Requirements

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Must possess a current state license as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
• CPR certification required.
• One year of professional nursing experience in the long-term care setting is desired (not required).
• Continuing education in wound care and pressure injury staging required. Certification in wound care preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of applicable state nursing regulations preferred.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a long-term care setting. 
• Has strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Basic computer knowledge is required.