RN Wound Care Educator

General Summary Statement

Provides wound, ostomy and incontinence clinical care and consultative service for in-patients when full time WOCN is not available. Provides educational support for physicians and nursing staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Care and Consultation for Skin Care, Wound Care, Ostomy Care and Incontinence Management

1. Provides consultations and specific clinical care for in-patients who need instruction, management, nursing treatment plans for skin, wound, and ostomy care, and for incontinence management.
2. Responds to nurse/physician consultation requests in a timely manner.
3. Discusses plan of care and treatment with patient, family, nurse and physician.
4. Recommends consultation with Wound Care specialist physician and or Wound Care Center for post discharge care when appropriate.
5. Supervises nurses in skin care, wound care, pressure wound staging and care, ostomy care, and encourages nurses to provide these measures independently within their scope of practice.
6. Integrates principles of age specific care into management and education for patients and families.
7. Demonstrates respect for patient’s privacy and dignity and confidentiality.
8. Documents assessments, plan of care, interventions, evaluation, outcomes and nursing orders on appropriate chart forms and the electronic medical record.
9. Uses appropriate resources for prevention, management and treatment of wounds, for supportive skin care, ostomies, and incontinence.
10. Identifies potential discharge needs and notifies Case Management or other services to provide follow up care and transition to the next level of care.
11. Periodically reviews units’ stock of skin care & ostomy supplies and ensures units have appropriate supplies for nurses to provide supportive care.
12. Provides assistance for complex wound or ostomy care beyond the scope of Penn Medicine Home Health when requested.

Professional Role Development

1. Develops own nursing knowledge via practice, observation, professional literature, networking and attending conferences.
2. Promotes best practice by demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care and the profession of nursing.
3. Promotes innovation and creativity in the practice environment.
4. Promotes staff growth by consulting on clinical issues.
5. Prioritizes and organizes work effectively, meets deadlines, is thorough in project completion.
6. Accepts constructive feedback about performance or behaviors and shows evidence of change.
7. Demonstrates verbal and writing skills that are appropriate for business communication.
8. Adheres to the Department of Nursing Dress Code.

Department of Nursing and Organization Support

1. Attends assigned committee meetings and contributes to the committees.
2. Communicates support of organizational values and strategies.
3. Supports the following organizational programs: Magnet®, Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification, Nursing Councils.
4. Facilitates group processes, e.g. committees.
5. Maintains good attendance/lateness standards in accordance with Hospital policy.

Staff Development Departmental Support

1. Maintains equipment in working order. Uses equipment appropriately, follows Department policies for equipment and supply use and maintenance.
2. Manages resources throughout program or project.
3. Submits Monthly Report and monthly education calendar offerings on time.
4. Attends Staff Development Department meetings.
5. Provides assistance to peers, participates in training new Staff Development employees.
6. Accepts changes in assignment in the spirit of good teamwork.
7. Demonstrates creative thinking and problem solving and knows when to seek appropriate consultation.

Education Training and Experience

BSN is required.

Graduate of an accredited wound, ostomy program.

At least one year of wound, ostomy nursing experience is preferred.

Must have skills in Word Processing and use of the Internet. Must be able to do on the job training for Power Point, hospital computer systems, and the hospital electronic medical record.

Licensure/Certification

Current Pennsylvania RN License required.

Current certification in Wound Ostomy Care is preferred.

Must pass certification within one year of hire, if certification is not held at the time of hire.

Must hold current CPR Healthcare Provider certification.