Wound Care Nurse - RN - Full Time Days

The Wound Care Nurse (RN) provides specialized clinical nursing care for inpatient, outpatient, and swing bed populations presenting with acute, chronic, surgical, pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, or slow-healing wounds. Operating within North Texas Medical Center (NTMC), the Wound Care Nurse assesses, treats, manages, and documents wound care needs in close collaboration with attending physicians, hospitalists, wound care providers, and interdisciplinary care teams to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.

Clinical Assessment & Evaluation: Conduct comprehensive nursing evaluations of acute and chronic wounds, assessing wound dimensions, tissue viability, drainage, exudate, stoma/skin surrounding areas, vascular status, infection signs, and patient pain levels.

 Wound Care Treatment & Procedures: Perform prescribed wound care treatments and dressing changes, including negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), compression therapy, topical applications, Unna boot application, and wound irrigation according to physician orders and established protocol.

 Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with physicians, hospitalists, physical therapists, dietitians, case managers, and outpatient services to coordinate individualized wound healing plans and care transitions.

Documentation & EMR Compliance: Maintain accurate, timely, and precise clinical documentation in the Electronic Health Record (ex. Medhost or Athena) regarding wound staging, measurements, photographs, response to therapy, and patient progress. Documentation meets current standards and policies.

Patient & Caregiver Education: Provide instruction and education to patients, families, and caregivers on home dressing changes, infection prevention, nutritional support, pressure offloading, and signs of complications.

 Quality Improvement & Prevention: Monitor pressure injury tracking, infection rates, and nursing-sensitive indicators; participate in quality improvement initiatives, safety huddles, and hospital-wide skin/wound prevention programs.

 Practical Nursing Skills

• Conducts all duties within the scope of practice of RN license.
• Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.
• Demonstrates an ability to assist physicians with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills.
• Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level licensure.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to Nurse Supervisor, co-workers and physicians.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

BASIC SKILLS                                                                                                                                                                     

• Basic computer skills
• Advanced clinical assessment and knowledge of skin integrity, wound etiology, and wound management techniques.
• Proficiency in Electronic Health Record (EHR) documentation and clinical workflow integration.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

WORK EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS                                                                                             

• Minimum of 2 years of clinical RN experience in medical surgical, acute care, or home health setting; prior dedicated wound care experience strongly preferred.
• High School diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Current RN license in the State of Texas, or compact state.
• Current BLS Certification
• ACLS Certification within 90 days
• Advanced clinical assessment and knowledge of skin integrity, wound etiology, and wound management techniques.
• Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN), Wound Care Certified (WCC), or Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Electronic Health Record (EHR) documentation and clinical workflow integration.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS                                                                                                                                                          

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Bilingual Spanish is preferred.
• Ability to effectively communicate clinical information to patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Additional languages a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS                                                                                                                                          

• Ability to lift 50 lbs alone and 150 lbs with assistance
• May be required to assist with patients or equipment up to 500 lbs.

Ability to push, pull, lift, bend, kneel twist and reach above shoulder level