APRN/PA - Wound Care

The Inpatient Wound Care APRN/PA will work collaboratively with the Wound Care Medical Director, RN wound care specialists, Emergency General Surgery/Trauma and Acute Care Surgery teams, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, nutrition, pharmacy, case management, coding and billing, and other interdisciplinary partners to provide evidence-based, patient-centered wound care.

The APRN/PA will play a central role in establishing standardized inpatient wound care practices, providing bedside procedures and advanced wound therapies, coordinating multidisciplinary care, supporting accurate documentation and coding, and developing processes that facilitate a seamless transition to outpatient wound care after hospitalization.

This position offers an opportunity to participate in the development of a comprehensive UAMS wound care program, including future expansion into outpatient wound care, telewound services, digital wound measurement and imaging, and partnerships with post-acute care facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessment and management of patients with acute, chronic, surgical, traumatic, pressure-related, and complex wounds.
• Perform bedside wound evaluations, including assessment of wound etiology, tissue characteristics, drainage, infection, perfusion, surrounding skin, and healing potential.
• Perform and/or assist with bedside wound debridement within the APP's scope of practice, credentialing, and privileges.
• Develop individualized wound care plans based on current evidence, patient comorbidities, wound characteristics, goals of care, and anticipated disposition.
• Manage surgical wounds, including postoperative wound assessment, dressing selection, incision management, wound complications, and coordination with surgical services.
• Recommend and apply advanced wound dressings and wound care products based on wound type and clinical indication.
• Initiate, manage, and troubleshoot negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) when clinically appropriate.
• Monitor wound progression and modify treatment plans based on clinical response.
• Recognize and appropriately escalate wounds requiring surgical intervention, vascular evaluation, infectious disease consultation, plastic surgery involvement, or other specialty care.
• Respond to inpatient wound care consultations in a timely manner.
• Establish standardized workflows for receipt, triage, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of wound care consultations.
• Provide ongoing management of patients requiring continued wound care during hospitalization.
• Communicate recommendations clearly to the primary medical and surgical teams and bedside nursing staff.
• Serve as a clinical resource for providers and nursing staff regarding complex wound management.
• Participate in daily multidisciplinary wound care rounds.
• Coordinate treatment plans addressing mobility, nutrition, pressure redistribution, infection prevention, pain management, and discharge needs.
• Promote a consistent interdisciplinary approach to wound prevention and treatment across the hospital.