Wound Ostomy Specialty Care Nurse

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

2. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).

2. Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Certification.

1. Three (3) years clinical experience in Nursing.

1. One (1) year of experience as a certified wound care nurse.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Communicates and interacts with clients, families, visitors, physicians, departmental and hospital staff and the public in general in a manner that demonstrates professionalism and concern for the individuals' need(s).

2. Remains current and responsive to changes in healthcare delivery, standards established by professional organizations, regulatory and accrediting bodies and the needs of the organization.

3. Ensures patients and caregivers receive education about their condition, therapies, and dressings.

4. Participates in the processes to assess and improve the services provided and compliance with regulatory requirements. Reports results assessment and improvement processes to the appropriate administrative levels.

5. Provides comprehensive wound management including assessing causative factors, nutritional needs and provide topical therapies to inpatient patients.

6. Provides instruction on proper wound dressing.

7. Assesses and treats draining wounds and fistulae.

8. Reviews and modifies pouch system problems.

9. Cross trains and supports outpatient wound care center as needed.

10. Provides recommendations on strategies to help improve and grow the inpatient and outpatient wound care program.

11. Collaborates with physician and/or care management as needed to plan and deliver patient care.

12. Reviews and develops nursing policies and procedures specific to wound care and ostomy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient’s profile and appropriate algorithms.

2. Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 35+lbs

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Working closely with others.

2. Working protracted or irregular hours.

3. Working around biohazards.

4. Working around infectious diseases.

5. Working with hands in water.

6. Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.

2. Knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.

3. Knowledge of and appropriate application of the nursing process.

4. Knowledge of professional theory, practice and procedure.

5. Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, physicians, and other employees

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.