Office Nurse RN Wound Care

Position Summary 

The Office Wound Care RN is responsible for ensuring the delivery of quality care to the patients in accordance with individual needs, provider orders and standards of care, as represented through the patient care policies. Provides patient care and support to patients undergoing wound care.

Rooms patients, obtain vital signs, and obtain a health history. Other duties include patient teaching, wound care interventions and dressings, assisting the provider with wound care procedures, case management, ordering wound care supplies, and coordinating care. This position will adhere to standards of nursing practice for wound care and will maintain safety standards for all procedures. Functions within the scope of practice as defined by the State of Oregon for RN practice. Performs in a manner, which maintains the confidentiality and privacy of each patient, promotes positive health habits through appearance and attitude.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Performed majority of the time

·         Performs direct patient care including, transfers/positioning, focused hygiene, and obtaining vital signs.

·         Performs wound care related tasks, including obtaining wound and leg measurements, taking wound photography, obtaining ankle brachial index, applying chemical cauterization, obtaining wound culture specimen, applying wound vac dressing or static wound dressing, applying layered compression wrap and elastic compression sleeve, applying total contact casting underlayers (and casting based on competency), removing total contact cast, and trimming nails.  

·         Assists the provider with office procedures.

·         Gathers pertinent information from patient and others to establish relevant database about the patient and the patient’s condition via phone triage, electronic messages, or in person visits. 

·         Determines changes in the patient’s condition and stability based on clinical parameters, population data, and nursing knowledge and evidence.

·         Effectively transfers knowledge to other members of the team to support the safety of their practice

·         Engages in collaborative and effective decision-making with other members of the team while maintaining caring and compassionate relationships.

·         Provides education and procedural instructions to patients and family members; effectively transfers information about disease, health, treatment plan and recovery to patients and family members.

·         Documents nursing interventions, teaching and plan in the electronic record according to acceptable medical records guidelines for compliance and billing. 

·         Provides coordination of care with Home Health, SNF, etc. Communicates evaluation of patient’s stability, progress, discharge plan and recommendation for continuity of the medical and nursing care to other members of the health care team, including accurate and timely documentation in the patient’s electronic record.

·         Develops goals, nursing care plan, or the plan of treatment based on assessment data to determine the patient’s individualized priority goals and care activities in relation to scope of practice.

·         Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care by evaluating the patient’s response, outcomes, and changes in stability and makes recommendations for modifications to the plan of care.  

·         Initiates and manages negative pressure wound therapy.

·         Follows infection control and transmission-based precaution procedures.

·         Performs conservative sharp debridement with provider order if certified as a wound care specialist. Wound care certification shall serve as proof of initial competency.

·         Schedules patients’ follow-up appointments and facilitates outgoing referrals and scheduling for ordered tests.

·         Responds to emergency situations and contacts emergency services as directed by a provider.

·         Assists with prior authorizations and insurance verification process.

·         Orders and stocks supplies; transports instruments and specimens; cleans exam rooms.

Performed occasionally but critical to successful performance of the job:

·         Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-services and continuing education opportunities.

Decision making and budget responsibilities 

·         Decision impact limited to the employee and the patient.

·         No budget responsibility

Assigned direct reports 

·         N/A

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

• Associates Degree in Nursing.

Preferred

• Bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing. 

Experience:

Required

• Minimum one (1) year of experience as an RN.

Preferred

• Minimum two (2) years of experience as an RN.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in wound care.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

Required

• Current unencumbered Oregon State Registered Nurse license.
• American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS.

Preferred

• Current Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) certificate or Certified Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) certificate.

Job Related Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

Required

• Ability to prioritize and reprioritize quickly.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships both internally and externally.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and handle a high volume of interactions (phones, patients, etc.).
• Ability to communicate clearly with proper grammar and spelling.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, and deal with diverse patient/family interactions.
• Ability to recognize and communicate problems promptly.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in teams.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Basic computer skills, including word processing, e-mail.
• Basic knowledge of managed care.
• Critical-thinking skills.
• Working knowledge of insurance coverage and procedures.

Preferred

• Bilingual skills a plus.
• Proficient in Epic EMR.

Other:

Required

• N/A

Preferred

• N/A