Wound Ostomy Nurse Clinician General Surgery Operations Sup Full Time Days Sign on Bonus Offered

The Wound/Ostomy Nurse Clinician (WONC) reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The WONC works within an interprofessional environment that requires exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, clinical, leadership and support services.  This role requires the use of nursing skills to perform patient assessments and implement nursing interventions; the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving patient care issues; and coordinate patient education for the population this role serves.

Responsibilities:

• The WONC works collaboratively with the clinical care team to provide specialized patient care while utilizing critical thinking, leveraging therapeutic communication, and building interpersonal relationships. The WONC strives to improve team effectiveness and system processes to improve patient outcomes across the continuum of care. The WONC participates in decision-making, teaching, mentoring, and collaboration with the interprofessional team to advance the patient’s plan of care and achieve exceptional outcomes. The WONC remains committed to wound and ostomy care from prevention practices to intervention. The WONC contributes to the infrastructure of the Wound/Ostomy program.  

• Provide evidence-based wound/ostomy care for patients

• Conduct wound assessments and provide guidance regarding etiology and pressure injury staging

• Support the patient care team in wound-related prevention and treatment options

• Conduct ostomy markings and assessments for new and established ostomies; provide post-operative care, teaching, and direction for follow-up

• Participate in prevalence survey and ongoing surveillance of pressure injuries

• Identify trends in nursing practice and establish plan with local leadership team to support quality patient care with pressure injury prevention

• Collect and analyze pressure injury data, identify expected outcomes, and provide input on the development and implementation of an individualized plan of care

• Coordinate care delivery and evaluate progress toward attainment of outcomes

• Perform a comprehensive assessment of patient needs utilizing the nursing process when appropriate and based on findings, seek solutions and offer recommendations to the interprofessional team

• Identify and define abnormalities detected in assessments and procedures, and take appropriate remedial action.

• Collaborate with clinical and support services and outside agencies or facilities in order to coordinate appropriate patient care

• Triage incoming telephone calls using clinical assessment skills and service standards

• Serve as a resource for staff and physicians for problem solving and decision-making. Maintain a consistent alertness to patient care needs and take a proactive approach to address/resolve issues.

• Make recommendations regarding new policies and procedures designed to improve the patient experience. Ensure that new policies and procedures are implemented in a timely manner.

• Assist with the initiation and coordination of patient education

• Provide teaching to staff on both a formal and informal basis. Participate in community outreach education, patient support groups or specialty-related educational programs offered to hospital and community nurses.

• Develop and implement innovations in patient and family centered care that fosters quality, safety and effectiveness and serve as a model of care.