Wound Care Assistant Wound Care Clinic Full-time Days

The Wound Care Assistant position reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, 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.

This position assists in the delivery of primary health care. The Wound Care Assistant is responsible for performing various age appropriate patient care activities necessary in caring for the needs and comfort of patients of all ages. Functions include gathering and reporting data, bathing, dressing, and feeding patients, and administering hyperbaric oxygen therapy to patients as prescribed by the Hyperbaric Physician. 

Responsibilities:

• Collects, records, and reports age specific data that includes: TPRs, BPs and blood sugar readings. Performs wound photography and assists with wound measurements. Reports observed responses to treatment. Assures data is complete, accurate and comprehensive.
• Promptly reports unusual observations or changes in patient condition/behavior.
• Competently completes all aspects of patient care including age appropriate techniques for ADL’s, mobility, transfers, positioning, hygiene, toileting, and correct application of orthosis/prosthesis, and use of adaptive devices.  Properly documents all care and observations in medical record.
• Prioritizes workload and completes patient care assignment in a timely manner.
• Collects lab specimens as instructed and ensures they are coded, labeled and transported appropriately.  Records care given as well as observed responses to treatment, including patient’s participation in wound care/hyperbaric plan. Data is complete, accurate and comprehensive.
• Completes unit tasks such as cleaning exam areas, cleaning hyperbaric gurneys and chambers, sterile instrument processing, transporting patients, and running errands.
• Orders and maintains supply inventory of advanced wound products for the unit and exam rooms.
• Provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy as needed.  Assists in patient preparation for treatment.  Reinforces education as it relates to hyperbaric therapy.  Keeps complete and accurate patient records as they pertain to treatment documentation.  Performs hyperbaric chamber operations and system maintenance as required.  Participates in the safety program.
• Utilizes data software for wound management.
• Assists patients with ambulatory difficulties and lifts/transfers.
• Follows infection control and blood born pathogen procedures
• Identification of population served by this position: Adolescent to Geriatric
• This position performs other duties as assigned.