Registered Nurse, Wound Care

1.  Direct Patient Care Services:  The RN provides continuous evaluation, planning and revision of care plan as needed.  Patient status is reassessed, nursing care and intervention, to meet individual needs provided, and patient’s response and outcome of care is documented. Documentation is clear and concise.

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of evidence based, wound care while exercising clinical competence in nursing skills and following procedures based on WRHMC  and hospital based policies and procedures.  Integrates diagnostic data into health assessment notifying physicians of results in a timely fashion documenting appropriately.
• Demonstrates competence in patient and family education on common topics including but not limited to wound care, dressing applications, compression therapy, diabetic foot care, venous disease, wound off loading and underlying disease processes.
• Demonstrates competence in ordered treatments including but not limited to vital signs, vascular assessments, wound assessments, sterile technique, dressings and  Center procedure.

2. Nursing Process:  The RN  is accountable for assessment of the basic human needs, enabling a team of providers to make appropriate decisions to develop, implement and evaluate a plan of care.  The RN adapts nursing care interventions to reflect consideration of the patient’s age specific needs, cultural issues, and concerns. 

• Prepares and implements a plan of care for wound patients by second encounter using established guidelines, policies and procedures in collaboration with the physician, the patient and significant others, updating this plan of care at each visit to reflect changes in patient’s condition, response to therapies, or education.

• Utilizes available resources effectively by appropriate consultation and collaboration to maximize effectiveness of care.
• Implements and evaluates plan for care reflecting appropriate nursing and medical diagnoses, goal development, outcome criteria and target dates while assuming patient advocate role, protecting all patient rights.
• Demonstrates competent utilization of interview, examination and observation techniques with patients and significant others, reviewing and completing patient history, nursing assessment and evaluation on all new patients.

3. General Working Practice and Communication:  The RN will demonstrate awareness

    of his/her unique position in the WRHMC and responsibilities as a professional

     nurse, through accurate, clear, concise and timely written and oral communications.

• Supports and encourages a harmonious work relationship, assuming additional responsibility, assisting others without being asked, serving as a role model to others and demonstrating flexibility with staffing needs.
• Consistently initiates and actively participates in implementing change to improve work environment, work process or patient care while actively supporting and participating in the QI process.
• Documents accurately, legibly and promptly patient assessment, care and response to treatment, education, changes in patient status, supply utilization and charges on approved forms, using approved abbreviations.
• Facilitates discussion between patient and physicians, responding accurately and in a timely manner to patient questions by knowledge of answer or with referral source and follow-through.
• Keeps patient actively informed of treatment, anticipated responses while ensuring all necessary informed consents are signed prior to providing non-emergency care.
• Assumes active role in WRHMC by attendance at staff meetings, in-services and other WRHMC related activities.   Reviews minutes when unable to attend.

4. Professional Development:  The RN will be professional and competent as a care

    provider, a leader of personnel, and a collaborator with other professionals.

• Completes all mandatory education programs and attends/completes additional continuing professional education functions to enhance skills, critical thinking and judgment related to advanced wound and or ostomy practice..
• Handles daily routine problems following proper channels, recognizing complex issues that need referral with recommendations to management.
• Prioritizing to consistently to meet deadlines and keep documents current while delegating tasks to appropriate skill levels providing needed supervision for quality follow-through.

5. Health and Safety:  The RN organizes and prioritizees work to provide continuum of care and protect the patient.

• Utilizes safe procedures in infection control, exposure control, equipment, supplies, facility, emergency, safety, fire and disaster plans, and domestic violence.
• Adheres to guidelines or standards of practice (i.e., ANA), community, Kent hospital and all current WRHMC policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates consistent use of OSHA guidelines and Universal Precautions and proper body mechanics.