Wound Care Nurse

LOOKING FOR PRN WOUND CARE NURSE TO JOIN OUR AMAZING TEAM!

Available Great Benefits: DAILY PAY!

Qualifications:

• Must have and maintain throughout employment an unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) licensure issued by the State Board of Nursing.
• Must have valid CPR certification and maintain active CPR certification throughout employment.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as state and federal regulations specific to nursing home operation and licensure.
• Must be able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actions.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with residents, families, vendors, visitors, government agencies, facility staff, hospital personnel, hospice representatives, and the general public.
• Must have excellent follow-through.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality individualized care.
• Ability to prepare and present educational material and or reports to various audiences.
• Ability to formulate reports, disseminate information, interpret data, and coordinate with multiple departments.

• Must be able to lift 60-70lbs frequently. • Must be able to stand and/or walk throughout the scheduled shift.

• Must comply with attendance policy and established nursing staff schedules, be flexible, and make necessary accommodations for the needs of residents and families.
• Must have knowledge of computer systems, systems applications, and other office equipment.
• Must have excellent analytical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to meet all local health regulations, and pass pre/post-employment physical exam if required. This requirement also includes drug screening, criminal background investigation, and reference inquiry.
• Must have the ability to promote positive interpersonal relationships through the use of tactful, direct and sensitive interaction. Must be able to communicate verbally in a positive and professional manner.
• Must be able to relate positively and favorably to residents, families, co-workers, and to work cooperatively with others.
• Must attend in-service/education programs as required to learn new procedures and develop skills to meet regulatory compliance

Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Operate and supervise within the prescribed scope of practice for a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in the state.

2) Administer treatments per facility policy and as assigned by the Director of Nursing.

3) Notify the Director of Nursing promptly, if an in-house acquired pressure ulcer is suspected.

4) Keep the treatment cart neat, clean, and stocked appropriately.

5) Develop a communication process for floor staff to report concerns or observations related to resident skin conditions.

6) Ensure compliance with pressure ulcer prevention initiatives and facility policy. Provide staff, resident, and resident representative education as needed.

7) Investigate and identify possible causes for alterations in skin integrity to ensure appropriate treatments and interventions are implemented.

8) Perform administrative duties as assigned (such as: complete various medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, training, tracking and trending, audits, daily/weekly/monthly reviews, etc.). Some of these items may include (but not limited to):

• Skin Conditions/Wounds- tracking and trending of wounds (routine measurements and descriptions), monitoring compliance and appropriateness of treatments prescribed, verifying physician/resident notification, confirming completion of clinical documentation and accuracy of order transcription. Participate in wound rounds as directed. Complete weekly clinical documentation timely and accurately.
• Logs-maintaining and updated logs such as: wound log, contracture log, enteral log, indwelling catheter log, infection control log, and all others as assigned.

9) Assist and remind physicians and their extenders to complete required documentation, review treatment plans, care plans, sign documents, etc. Accompany on rounds as needed.

10) Contact physicians, nurse practitioners, and physicians’ assistants routinely to review individual resident wound care status, update interventions, confirm/request treatment orders, discuss diagnostic reports, etc. Document this communication in the clinical record per policy.

11) Provide resident and/or representative with routine updates on wound care status, interventions in place, and treatment regimen. Document this communication in the clinical record per policy.

12) Coordinate, organize, and participate in wound rounds with any wound care consultant group as required.

13) Ensure weekly skin evaluations are in place for all residents and completed timely. Complete weekly skin evaluations as assigned.

14) Validate newly admitted residents’ skin conditions, document observations and interventions, obtain treatment orders as needed, and provide resident and/or family education as indicated.

15) Evaluate resident pain/discomfort with wound care, notify physician or extenders as needed to ensure adequate pain management measures are in place.

16) Assist with contacting physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as needed to report resident change of condition, convey lab/x-ray reports, emergencies, resident/family concerns, incidents/accidents, etc. and document new/changed orders and communication outcomes per facility policy.

17) Inform residents, resident representatives, and/or family members of resident change of condition, emergencies, incidents/accidents, new/changed etc. and document new/changed orders and communication outcomes per facility policy.

18) Review individualized plans of care (problems, goals, and interventions/approaches) for the residents to include: overall health, fall risk/positioning devices, restorative nursing programs, elopement risk, behaviors, skin conditions, discharge plans, therapy services, restraints, psychotropic medication usage, etc. Attend resident care plan meetings as requested.

19) Assist with admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required. Initiate and complete all required documentation, forms, inter-department communication, etc. per facility policy.

20) Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Document administration timely.

21) Order/Re-order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment per facility policy.

22) Dispose of medications and narcotics in accordance with facility policy and state and/or federal regulations.

23) Administer specialized skilled services per physician or extender orders to include (but not limited to):

• Urinary catheterization, catheter removal, intermittent catheterization, catheter irrigation, urine specimen collection, etc.
• Tracheostomy care, suctioning, sputum specimen collection, monitoring, ostomy care, etc.
• G-tube/J-tube/PEG tube care, feedings, flushes, medication administration, ostomy care, etc.
• Wound/Skin care, preventative measures, advanced dressings, wound irrigation, wound packing, wound vacs, suture/staple removal, etc.
• Colostomy/Urostomy care, bag/wafer changes, skin care, irrigation, etc.
• IV therapy-peripheral catheter insertion and site change, central line care/maintenance/flushing/dressing changes, administration of medications and/or fluids, etc.

24) Coordinate with other departments as needed to ensure resident care is delivered per the individualized plan of care.

25) Practice standard precautions with all resident care.

26) Meet with resident and/or families often-If a resident or family member expresses any concerns, direct the information to the appropriate person for prompt resolution of the issue. If able to address the concern, do so promptly and follow-up with the resident and/or family to ensure satisfaction.

27) Assist residents with standard ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) to include: bathing, toileting/bed pan, transfers, bed mobility, turning and repositioning, peri-care, grooming, dressing, changing bed linens, applying/utilizing specialized equipment, etc. per the individualized plan of care.

28) Ensure residents remain clean, have clean dentures in place, hearing aids in or stored appropriately, clean eyeglasses on, prosthetic limbs/devices in place, dressed appropriately, clothes are in good repair, and dressed appropriate to temperature/season.

29) Ensure use of positioning devices, restraints, splints, braces, immobilizers, cushions, etc. are utilized per the individualized plan of care.

30) Complete facility incident/accident reports as necessary and initiate investigations as requested. Incident reports (including falls, skin tears, medication errors, etc.) should be reviewed daily for accuracy and completeness and family and physician notification.

31) Participate in on-call rotation for the nursing department as assigned.

32) Understand and adhere to established facility policies. Interpret the departments policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required.

33) Attend meetings as assigned.

34) Use proper body mechanics when lifting.

35) Adhere to safety policies pertaining to infection control and isolation, personal protective equipment (PPE), gait belts, mechanical lifts, and fire/emergency procedures.

36) Customer Service-Promote and maintain positive relationships with co-workers, residents, visitors, volunteers, vendors, and regulatory representatives.

37) Resident Rights-Understand and promote resident rights. Have positive interactions with residents, families and caregivers. Maintain a professional appearance. Ensure confidentiality of all resident information, compliance with HIPAA regulations and policies, Encourage resident autonomy in decision-making.

38) Documentation-Complete documentation in the individual clinical record per policy. Complete any other documentation as assigned.

39) Other-Complete all other duties as assigned.

Physical and Sensory Requirements: Walking, sitting, standing, reaching, stooping, bending, lifting, grasping, pushing and pulling, and fine-hand coordination. Ability to hear and respond to overhead pages. Ability to communicate with residents, families, personnel, vendors, and consultants. Ability to apply training and in-service education provided. Must present a neat, clean, professional appearance and demonstrate a positive approach with employees and residents.