Job Abstract

If you are interested please apply online send your resume to anjimenez@mlkch.org

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of Sr. Director Professional practice and Education r, the lead wound care nurse will  serve as a clinical resource to MLKCH staff on issues pertaining to patients with wounds, pressure ulcers, ostomies, fistulas and incontinence. The Lead Wound Care Nurse will supervise the wound care team members and educate hospital staff regarding the management of wounds and the prevention of nosocomial pressure injuries.  The Lead WCN will provide direct patient care for evaluation and education purposes.  The Lead WCN will establish and maintain practice standards and ensure adherence to policies and procedures related directly to caring for patients with pressure injuries..
The Lead Wound Care Nurse (WCN) demonstrates a high degree of professional competence in a specialized field of nursing and utilizes advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge and a scientific approach to problem solving. The Lead Wound Care Nurse establishes standards for patient care and evaluates interventions to improve care. Emphasis on the role components is dependent upon the patient population and the clinical and administrative functions/needs of the unit, Department of Professional practice and Education.  This position will coordinate the investigation on improvement of nursing care when hospital acquired pressure injuries occur and lead in developing action plans to prevent future occurrences.
The Lead Wound Care Nurse Job is defined by the scope and depth of practice as required by a specific group of patients. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: pre- and post-operative incision assessment, consultation, education, prosthesis/supply acquisition, and counseling as indicated and coordination of referrals to community health agencies for post-hospitalization care. Additional responsibilities include program development and implementation, development/revision of standards and guidelines, selection and usage oversight of wound, ostomy, and skin care supplies and sleep surfaces in Materials Management, and active participation in Quality Improvement projects. The position is hospital wide, population based rather than unit based.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supervise the Wound Care Team staff and act as resource to the team members; conduct annual evaluations, assist in interviewing and recruiting efforts, disciplinary actions, and managing the department staffing.
2. Lead in the development, facilitation and coordination of a cost effective wound care/ostomy care program.
3. Develops evidence based protocols & practice Standards for managing patients with wound/ostomy and incontinence care needs.
4. Monitor patient outcomes on an ongoing basis.
5. Works with the Clinical Educator/Quality Services Manager on the development of education programs specific to Wound /Ostomy /Continence patient care for staff and community groups
6. The Lead WCN will develop evidence based treatment plans according to current wound care protocols; explain dressing rationale, institute preventive measures and monitor results of care delivered.
7. Communicate information to the unit managers when there is a deviation from standard protocols and to key stakeholders when reportable hospital acquired pressure injuries occur.
8. Advise physicians on the status of wound patients and make recommendations when patients requiring debridement procedures are identified.
9. Collaborate with the MLKCH dietary team to identify patients with nutritional deficiencies and assist in solving nutrition problems.
10. Perform daily rounds to assist in the delivery of patient care to ensure wound care tasks are met while surveying identified patients to promote compliance to the established protocols.
11. Develop standardization of documentation for the wound care team.
12. Develop a guideline for prioritization of consults and follow-up visits.
13. Visit Ostomy patients to ensure appropriate plan of care is followed.
14. Co-chairs the Wound Care Committee to ensure hospital wide initiatives and activities are completed.
15. Work collaboratively with specified vendor to ensure prevalence studies are completed timely and effectively and monitoring utilization of support surfaces.
16. Maintains data and statistical reports, and reports out to key committees on an ongoing basis, as requested
17. Participates in Quality Improvement Plans with the assistance of the Quality Department
18. Assumes supervisory on-call responsibilities and acts as a resource person to nursing staff and wound care team, as needed.  Final staging decisions will be the responsibility of this role.
19. Assumes responsibility to maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service education programs and participates in Multi-disciplinary patient centered case conferences, as appropriate
20. Demonstrates the knowledge and skill necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his/her assigned visit.
21. Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

A.   Education. 

• Bachelor of Sciences degree in nursing (individuals hired without a BSN will be required to complete a degree program within 2 years of their hire date)

B.  Qualifications/Experience

• Minimum two years experience in wound care
• Minimum one year acute care nursing experience
• Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN); or Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) required within 2 years of hire date 
• Current California RN license.
• Current BLS card.

C.   Special Skills/Knowledge

• The Lead Wound Care RN provides direct and indirect patient care, is responsible for the assessment planning, implementation and evaluation of wound care for patients.  The  Lead Wound Care nurse acts as a wound care resource person for physician and nursing staff on issues pertaining to patients with wounds, pressure ulcers, ostomies, fistulas and incontinence.  The Lead WCN collaborates with members of the healthcare team in the implementation of needed interventions to promote wound healing and prevention of skin breakdown.  Additionally, the position is able to perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision

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