Job Description

The Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse (WOC) or Wound Ostomy Nurse (WON), Nurse Clinicians practice in an expanded nursing role across the continuum of care to provide direct and indirect age-specific and developmentally appropriate quality patient-centered care across several hospitals under the LLUH license (LLUMC, LLUCH, East Campus, and Surgical Hospital) with identified wound, or ostomy or continence problems. Provides patient and family education, tailors teaching style to learner needs, encourages patients to be active participants in their care and to ask questions. Anticipates discharge date and works with healthcare team, case management, and providers to ensure patient has the supplies needed to promote wound healing, and ostomy care at home. Advocates for patient when needed and mentors others in the advocacy process. Works with medical director and wound care team to develop, implement, and maintain wound, ostomy, and continence procedures, guidelines, standards of care. Participates in the review of new products, treatments and technologies, assists with trialing new products. Collaborates with team and staff development in providing staff education on the latest wound care, and ostomy treatments, supplies and preventive measures. Utilizes interpersonal skills to maximize customer service in a manner that supports excellence in customer service, safe patient care, and professionalism; contributes to a work environment of caring and cooperation among a culturally diverse workforce and patient population. Performs other duties as needed.

Education and Experience: Bachelor of Nursing required; Master of Science in Nursing degree preferred. Wound, ostomy, and/or continence specialty certification training in progress within twelve months of hire, and wound, ostomy and/or continence certification through the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) obtained within twenty-four months of hire. Minimum two years in an acute care hospital experience required. Experience in wound and ostomy assessment and treatment preferred.

Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrates advanced competencies in pediatric and adult wound, ostomy and incontinent treatment and care. Knowledge of state and federal healthcare regulations and accreditation, performance improvement, quality and patient safety, evidenced-based clinical practice standards, medical staff structure, legal aspects of care and nursing scope of practice. Ability to apply theoretical concepts to clinical practice and continually expands knowledge base and clinical skills with focus on wound care, ostomy care and incontinence treatment and care. Able to: read; write legibly; speak in English (and Spanish preferred) with professional quality; use computer and software programs necessary to the position; troubleshoot and calibrate patient care equipment. Able to relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; be assertive and consistent in following and/or enforcing policies; work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure; lead, supervise, teach, and collaborate; accept direction. Able to communicate effectively in English in person, in writing, and on the telephone; think critically; work independently with minimal supervision; perform basic math functions; manage multiple assignments effectively; work well under pressure; problem solve; organize and prioritize workload; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail. Able to distinguish colors and smells as necessary for patient care; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone; identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the work place/patient care; see adequately to read computer screens, medical records, and written documents necessary to position; discern temperature variances through touch.

Licensures and Certifications: Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license required. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association required.

Our mission is to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Our core values are compassion, excellence, humility, integrity, justice, teamwork and wholeness.