Wound Ostomy Nurse Specialist

Nuvance Health has a network of convenient hospital and outpatient locations

• Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital and Sharon Hospital in Connecticut, and Northern Dutchess Hospital, Putnam Hospital Center and Vassar Brothers Medical Center in New York - plus multiple primary and specialty care physician practices locations, including The Heart Center, a leading provider of cardiology care. Non-acute care is offered through various affiliates,

SUMMARY: The Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (WOCN) is a registered Nurse, who demonstrates clinical expertise through advanced education, knowledge, and skills in wound and ostomy care.

The WOCN serves as a clinical resource and consultant to the nursing staff and physicians for assessment and plans of care for patients with specific disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems. Theses include ostomies, fistulae, tubes, dermal wounds, and incontinence. Serves in the role of clinician, consultant, educator and researcher.

JOBQUALIFICATIONS

Education:BS required, Masters preferred

CWOCN certification required

Experience: Minimum 5 years relevant experience

License:NYS Registered Nurse

Responsibilities

1.Clinical Practice:

1.1

Utilizing the nursing process, initiates assessment, planning and implementation of care: instructs nursing personnel in the care of patients with ostomies, draining wounds, fistulas, pressure ulcers, acute or chronic wounds, and continence disorders.

1.2

Assists Physicians and nursing staff in stoma siting, and stoma care

1.3

Initiates appropriate procedures for stoma care , and teaches proper skin care techniques to patient and staff

1.4

Observes character of the stoma, dressing, and proper functioning of stoma. Alerts Physician to stomal problems

1.5

Measures and fits stomas with appliances. Selects and provides appropriate equipment for patient

1.6

Develops discharge plans and referrals and provides clinical informational support for discharged patients in the community

1.7

Coordinates counseling services for patient, and makes appropriate referrals to psychiatry, dietetics, social services, occupational therapy , or others who may be recommended by the physician

1.8

With Physician order, provides appropriate debridement of devitalized tissue (e.g., conservative sharp debridement; silver nitrate cauterization of non proliferative wound edges, hypertrophic granulation tissue, and control of minor bleeding.)

1.9

Assist surgeons in OR with specialty dressings or VAC applications

Responsibility II

2.Consultation

2.1

Provides consultation and assistance to staff in developing and implementing protocols used in the identification and management of patients with potential or actual alteration in skin integrity

2.2

Makes recommendations to the physician for changes to wound care orders, and provides evidence based research support as needed

2.3

Provides guidance to the staff in implementation of protocols to identify, control, or remove etiologic factors for skin breakdown including selection of appropriate support surface.

2.4

Evaluates patient response to treatment and the progress of wound healing, making adjustments and modifications as indicated

2.5

Serves as a liaison between patient and physician

2.6

Provides consultative services for referral patients with continence disorders

2.7

Provides consultation and assistance to staff in developing and implementing protocols used in the identification and management of patients with potential/actual fecal and/or urinary incontinence disorders.

Responsibility III

3.Education

3.1

Provides basic wound care training and orientation to all new nursing and therapy staff on hire; provides ongoing in-services and training related to wound care, ostomies and incontinence.

3.2

Assists staff to maintain current knowledge and competence in the areas of wound care, ostomies and incontinence

3.3

Assess learning capabilities and readiness of population or individuals, and tailors education to meet age, development and educational needs.

3.4

Provides education to patient and significant others regarding care of a stoma, and peristomal skin, appliance and special considerations

3.5

Utilizes appropriate teaching materials and documents use and patient outcome

3.6

Provides required instruction/education to the patient, family, and staff regarding concepts of bowel/bladder control.

3.7

Initiates, designs, and completes educational programs for patients , families ad targeted audiences

3.8

Lead educational seminars and programs

Responsibility IV

4.Research

4.1

Maintains records and statistics and submits reports to employer

4.2

Recommend standards for selection of cost-effective supplies and equipment for wound, ostomy, and continence disorders to be utilized in the hospital. Standards should be based on product evaluations, product research studies, and cost-effectiveness comparisons.

4.3

Engages in research projects ,as appropriate

4.4

Lead and evaluate quarterly house wide prevalence study and report results

4.5

Participates in and initiates quality assessment and improvement program activities.

4.6

4.7

Responsibility V

5.Professional Development

5.1

Actively participate at local and national level o WOCN Society

5.2

Assess, plan, and implement personal development program

5.3

Attends continuing education programs related to skin and wound care when indicated and submits reports and recommendations based on the results

5.4

Serves on agency wide committees and participates in agency wide projects as requested

5.5

Contribute to consumer or professional publications and support associated organizations

5.6

Maintain WOCN certification

Responsibility VI

6.Program Manager

6.1

Develop and conduct ostomy support group

6.2

Develops and leads a wound care team

6.3

Recommends appropriate referrals to the Wound Care Center

6.4

Serves as a consultant to home health and hospice staff to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate needs of patients requiring ostomy care and wound care in the community

6.5

Participate in the marketing and representation of wound and ostomy care service

6.6

Develops and implements hospital wound care program to include patient care protocols, documentation tools, wound care formulary and WOCN referral criteria

Responsibility VII

7.Demonstrates regard for the dignity and respect of all patients, family members, visitors and Medical Center personnel as identified in the philosophy of Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

7.1

Displays a caring and courteous attitude and represents the Medical Center in a positive manner to all persons noted above.

7.2

Promotes and contributes positively to intra-departmental and inter-departmental relationships with no more than two complaints in a six-month period.

7.3

Maintains the confidentiality of employees and departmental information with no infractions.

7.4

Adheres to departmental and Medical Center dress codes as observed by Supervisor, and wears a VBMC picture identification badge, 100% of the time.

7.5

Maintains a professional demeanor at all times recognizing that the position is seen as an extension of the Chief Executive Officer.

7.6

Develops rapport with Medical Center employees that enables them to bring concerns freely and with assurance information will be shared confidentially with Chief Executive Officer.

7.7

Demonstrates ability to work well with others to ensure all assigned work duties are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

7.8

Communicates effectively at all times to promote inter-departmental and intra-departmental collaboration.

7.9

Demonstrates willingness to assist co-workers and/or to accept additional assignments as requested to support the department's efficiency as observed by the supervisor.

Location: Poughkeepsie-1 Pine Street

Work Type: Part-Time

Standard Hours: 24.00

FTE: 0.600000

Work Schedule: Day 8

Work Shift: 8a

• 4p

Org Unit: 1218

Department: Nursing Administration

Exempt: Yes

Grade: S12

Salary Range:

$39.2088 - $72.8280 Hourly

Working conditions:

Essential:

• Significant manual skills / motor coord & finger dexterity

• Significant occupational risk

• Medium to Heavy effort. May exert up to 35 lbs. force

• Significant exposure to dirt, odor, noise, human waste, etc.

EOE, including disability/vets.

We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact Human Resources at 203-739-7330 (for reasonable accommodation requests only). Please provide all information requested to assure that you are considered for current or future opportunities.