This Registered Nurse position focuses on wound, ostomy, and continence care in an outpatient setting, providing acute and rehabilitative care for patients with disorders of the GI, GU, and Integumentary systems. The role involves acting as a clinical expert and consultant to physicians and staff, delivering comprehensive patient care, and supporting service excellence goals within a shared governance model.
Responsibilities
Act as a consultant to the physician, providing evaluations of patients and developing individualized, evidence-based plans of care that address wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and continence issues at the specialist level
Respond to physician consult requests by writing orders within the WOCN scope of practice and standing orders for other nurses to follow
Determine the type and frequency of wound/ostomy care provided to the patient using expert judgment, including modifications as the patient’s condition changes
Upon receiving physician order for consult, mark patients for ostomy surgery, selecting the best and alternative sites for the surgeon’s consideration
Provide education to the patient and family pre- and post-op and guidance for psychosocial, sexual, and body image adaptation to promote optimal client outcomes
Perform the Nursing Process (assessment; diagnosis; identification of outcomes; planning; implementation and evaluation) in the performance of clinical care using evidence-based practice and analytical/critical thinking
Coordinate care through effective partnerships, ensuring care is individualized and central to achieving optimal patient care outcomes
Provide relationship-based patient-centered care by partnering with the patient and significant others using comprehensive hand-off communication processes
Engage in interdisciplinary evaluation and communication (i.e., unit rounds, case reviews, peer review, etc.)
Provide just-in-time and planned patient teaching, keeping the patient informed using appropriate communication tools and making the patient’s goals the focus of the plan of care
Practice using current clinical practice standards with a focus on safety and quality
When performing duties in outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Unit:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Healing Strategies for wound care and the role of HBO therapy, and the different approved clinical indications and treatment protocols for HBO treatment
Deliver care to the patient immediately prior to, during, and immediately following the HBO treatment that is consistent with existing policies and Healing Strategies within his/her scope of practice
Document all aspects of patient care during HBO treatment
Monitor and ensure the proper delivery of treatment gas as ordered
Monitor patients continually during treatments for symptoms of oxygen intolerance, claustrophobia, hypoglycemic reactions, decompression sickness, or any other adverse reaction to HBO treatments
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Under the direction of the program manager or designee, appropriately intervene in the event of an adverse reaction and follow established protocols
Demonstrate competence in reinforcing age-specific patient and family education on common topics related to HBO therapy and related underlying disease processes
Demonstrate competence in performing ordered treatments including but not limited to vital signs, blood sugars, and emergency procedures, consistent with existing policies and within his/her scope of practice
Document required elements of each treatment in a clear, concise manner that includes a description of the chamber settings, duration of treatment, patient response to the procedure, and any other relevant observations
Demonstrate and apply basic knowledge about HBOT chamber operations to ensure efficacy of treatment and safety of the patient and those in the immediate area
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic physiological principles/concepts of the HBO treatment and incorporate them into the treatment process
Operate controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to prescribed policies for clinical indications and physician orders
Maintain accurate logs and records of the time, pressures, depths, etc. of chamber operations according to established protocols
Perform maintenance of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related support systems under the guidance of the Program Director/Safety Coordinator
Clean chamber following each treatment, according to recommendations of manufacturer, and in accordance with established facility infection control policies
Maintain emergency equipment and supplies located in the HBO area
Document equipment checks as required by established policies
Serve as clinical expert in various hospital committees, community groups, and organizations (United Ostomy Association, Diabetic Outpatient Clinic, and local home care agencies)
Lead outcome evaluations including quarterly NDNQI pressure ulcer prevalence
Participate in improvement initiatives related to WOC nursing practice
Evaluate and develop product formularies and algorithms to support best practices for the prevention and treatment of wound, ostomy, and continence conditions
Facilitate the needs of the bariatric population with specialty bed management
Coordinate the delivery and documentation of safe quality patient care which includes promotion of interdisciplinary communication and regular interdisciplinary planning/rounds
Complete timely documentation and promote a respectful, inclusive clinical environment
Demonstrate teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a manner that is fiscally responsible and promotes the recruitment and retention of all healthcare team members
Participate in and support performance improvement inclusive of all stakeholders, research, and research utilization to promote safe, quality patient care
Initiate and/or lead improvement activities, promoting an inter/intra-disciplinary process and actively supporting/participating in shared governance at all levels in the system
Ensure patient/family/staff confidentiality and corporate compliance for self (and accountability for team members) requirements including completing all required mandatory education and proficiencies
Serve as a preceptor (or mentor) for other professional nurses (and staff or students for all disciplines) to ensure a current and future qualified workforce
Model the professional practice of nursing and create a healthy work environment
Promote evidence-based practice, nursing research, and performance improvement in nursing
Participate in activities such as value analysis as part of the decision-making process in evaluating patient care products
Uphold all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies put forth by this job description and professional association including legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements and standards
Participate in data collection, pose relevant clinical questions to advance evidence-based practice
Consult appropriate experts and use appropriate resources, data, and evidence to address practice questions
Proactively plan for the care of patients across the care continuum in the course of giving direct patient care
Participate in the development of protocols and procedures when called upon or through self-initiation in collaboration with care managers and other members of the health care team to achieve best practice outcomes
Support efficient and effective use of human and material resources
Precept specialty students (WOCN Program) and Nurse Practitioner students from Emory University WOCN Program, as well as KSU and distance learning students from across the United States
Provide education and orientation to new hires and at continuing education opportunities to existing nurses and NCAs, providing formal and informal education to all levels of staff to appropriately manage patients with wound, ostomy, and continence issues
Requirements
Graduate of an accredited/approved school of nursing
Minimum 3 years as a staff nurse in an acute care setting
Ability to read, write, and speak English language
Optimize the use of technology to support clinical care and holds basic computer skills
Strong interpersonal, collaborative skills along with customer service skills
Ability to function in a fast-paced environment and respond to emergencies using a decisive, composed, and respectful manner
Possesses excellent time management skills
Practices nursing using evidence and analytical skills along with strong critical thinking skills
Knowledgeably upholds the practice of nursing as outlined by the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act and implements the Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics Standards put forth by the American Nurses Association
Reg Nurse (Single State) 1.00 Required
RN - Multi-state Compact 1.00 Required
Basic Life Support 2.00 Required
BLS - Instructor 2.00 Required
BLS - Provisional 2.00 Required
Nice to have:
Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of nursing
Nursing education from an accredited school of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing (WOCN) program and national certification in clinical specialty area
When performing duties in outpatient wound care with hyperbaric unit, National certification in the area specialty of Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (CHRN) by the National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology
National certification in area of specialty Upon Hire
Important Details
Work Shift: Day
About the Company
Wellstar's mission is to enhance the health and well-being of every person they serve. They are recognized for their dedication to making a difference in the healthcare industry and in people's lives.
