Wound and Ostomy Certified Nurse (WOCN) Specialist
Manchester, CT
Nursing Professionals
Full-time, Day, 32.0
Posted 09/12/2024
POSITION SUMMARY:
Provides clinical expertise, education, consultation, leadership, and research to the organization in relation to patients and staff with wound, skin, ostomy, and continence needs. Serves as a resource to patients, staff, physicians, and management. Allocates available resources to promote efficient, effective, and compassionate care related to wound, skin, ostomy, and continence throughout the organization. Facilitates the development of collegial relationships. Visible, accessible, and committed to communicating effectively with staff. Promotes the profession of nursing and professional practice. Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner. Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care of wounds, fistulae, pressure ulcers, skin breakdown, ostomy care, and incontinence. Reports to the manager of nursing education.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
- Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing and hold and maintain a current Registered Nurse license in the State of Connecticut.
- Certification in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care/Enterostomal Therapy Nursing is required.
- Completion of accredited coursework in conservative sharp wound debridement and successful completion of 10 hours of supervision by a surgeon preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
- Must have two to three (2 - 3) years or more of progressive experience in clinical practice in the medical/surgical area.
COMPETENCIES:
- Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing and possess basic computer skills.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position. These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.
Job-Specific Competency
- Performs comprehensive assessments and re-assessments of the patient's condition related to wound/skin and ostomy/continence needs including the psychosocial, physical, educational, and cultural aspects.
- Assesses and re-assesses pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management tools and techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management. Documentation includes the location, nature, and intensity of pain, methods of relief used previously, and plan for ongoing pain management.
- Is knowledgeable of the anatomy and physiology and disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and dermal systems.
- Demonstrates thorough knowledge of wound staging and prevention of pressure ulcers.
- Knowledgeable of surgical procedures and postoperative course for patients undergoing bowel surgery as related to ostomy and continence.
- Develops and revises individualized plans of care as indicated by assessment and patient response to treatment. Evaluates overall plan as needed for effectiveness. Involves the patient and family in the formulation of goals.
- Provides direct care to patients with wounds, ostomies, drainage tubes, and incontinence in a timely manner and recommends products and treatments that are appropriate, based on patient assessment and standards of care. Revises care plan according to the patient's response to treatment.
- Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and privacy and promotes positive patient outcomes.
- Documents wound/skin and ostomy/continence issues according to the nursing process and responses to care in a timely manner utilizing the appropriate tools.
- Maintains current knowledge of community resources to provide skilled care, products, support, and education for patients and families and promotes smooth transition along the care continuum.
- Provides patients/families with information needed for independent care or arranges for education to continue post-discharge. Provides pre and post-operative assessments and education.
- Assists physicians and nursing staff in maintaining current knowledge and competence in the areas of stoma care, wound management, skin and incontinence care and management of fistulae in orientation, individually or in educational sessions/programs on an ongoing basis.
- Practices autonomously, consistent with evidence-based standards. Pursues personal and professional growth and development. Serves as a professional role model and mentor.
- Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations. Utilizes critical thinking skills and sound judgment in priority setting and delegation.
- Is fiscally responsible in selection and use of products and resources and promotes cost-saving or revenue generation for the organization.
- Is knowledgeable about state and joint commission regulations related to wound and skin care and enforces these regulations throughout the organization.
- Collects and analyzes data related to wound/skin and ostomy to measure progress and quality of care.
- Organizes and coordinates a wound and skin resource liaison team that is responsible for wound and skin expertise on each particular unit and acts as a resource to staff on wound and skin issues throughout the organization. Resource team can also assist with data collection and quality improvement related to wound and skin.
- Organizes, implements, and evaluates wound and skin rounds on all units in both hospitals on a regular basis either independently or with the resource team members on each unit.
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