Job Description

• Provide care for the Adult or Geriatric patient, ages 18 years and over.
• Demonstrates and understands the importance of and respect for the rights, dignity and individuality of each patient in all interactions.
• Utilizes the nursing process to assessment, development of the plan of care, and education for ostomy, wound care of patients.
• Assesses patient care needs and identifies interventions for treatment / prevention of a pressure sore, wound and / or ostomy related care needs.
• Performs and/or assists with stoma marking preoperatively, patient / family teaching, follow-up care, and discharge planning.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team conferences and patient rounds.  Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in developing a comprehensive discharge plan. 
• Performs and / or assists with treatment to include conservative sharps debridement if certified, therapies, and procedures as specified by the physician. 
• Provides and assesses effectiveness of patient / family education and documents readiness to participate in plan of care. 
• Documents outcomes of the patients’ / families participation in established plan of care. 
• Provides weekly documentation on patients with complex wound management needs. 
• Participate in orientation of new personnel (i.e. wound vac, dressing change, wound prevention techniques, documentation of wound care, wound care products, etc.)
• Participate in economical utilization of supplies by submitting accurate patient charges in a timely manner and ensure that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner. 
• Participate in economical utilization of supplies by submitting accurate patient charges in a timely manner and ensure that equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner. 
• Collaborates with medical staff members to identify care measures to prevent and heal pressure sores and / or treatment of complex wounds. 
• Works in concert with the medical staff in the use and application of clinical devices / support surfaces for prevention and treatment of pressure sores and to promote wound healing. 
• Develops, reviews, and/or revises evidence based practice guidelines for care of the ostomy and skin care patients.
• Promotes staff development and education. 
• Guides the nursing staff in the care of the ostomy and skin care patient, promoting evidence based practice. 
• Actively participate in continuing education programs for self-development.
• Orders patient specific supplies and surfaces and routes requests for new products and supplies to the Safety Committee for approval. 
• Assists in development of policies, procedures and standards reflective of current practice / literature.
• Participate in performance improvement activities. 
• Communicate self and staff concerns and problems through proper channels. 
• Is cooperative and courteous with other hospital departments, nursing team members, patients, families, physicians, vendors, and customers. 
• Maintain cost control with equipment as supplies. 
• Interprets and analyzes data as it relates to wound care. 
• Assists surgeons with bedside debridement procedures as indicated and/or if certified, performs conservative beside sharps debridements as indeicated. 
• Works within a collaborative environment with the physicians to establish an appropriate patient specific plan of care for wound care management.
• Adheres to all components of the Hospital Compliance Plan in performing job duties and reports any violations or suspected violations of the Plan to the Compliance Officer.
• Demonstrates professional conduct and complies with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Adheres to hospital attendance policy as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Complies with measures for preventing exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Participates in the Hazardous Material Program; hazards include exposure to blood and body fluids, possible communicable diseases, sharp objects and instruments, assorted chemicals and gasses as listed in the Hazardous Materials Program Manual.
• Complies with established Safety and Patient Safety Program practices.
• Performs other incidental and related duties, as required and/or assigned.
• Develops an understanding of responsibilities for recognizing patient abuse and follows policy for making appropriate referrals/interventions.
• Develops an understanding of responsibilities for participation in Performance Improvement activities and participates in such activities.
• Limits access to protected health information (PHI) to the information reasonably necessary to do the job, and shares such information only on a need-to-know basis for work purposes.