Registered Nurse (RN) - WOC Augusta

Job Summary

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Clinical Nurse (WOCN) functions under the direction of the Nurse Manager and provides acute and rehabilitative care for people with select disorders of the GI, GU and Integumentary systems. The WOCN serves as a resource to nursing and medical staff and is responsible for delivering in-depth, comprehensive patient care in complex multiple problem patient care situations. The WOCN can independently perform job functions.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Acts as a consultant to the physician, providing evaluations of patients and developing individualized, evidence-based plans of care that address wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and continence issues at the specialist level.
• Responds to the physician consult request by writing orders within the WOCN scope of practice and standing orders for other nurses to follow.
• Determines type and frequency of wound/ostomy care provided to the patient using expert judgment, including modifications as the patient's condition changes.
• Marks patients for ostomy surgery, selecting the best and alternative sites for the surgeons' consideration, provides education to the patient and family pre- and post-op and guidance for psychosocial, sexual and body image adaption.
• Performs the Nursing Process (assessment; diagnosis; identification of outcomes; planning; implementation and evaluation) in the performance of clinical care using evidence-based practice.
• Provides relationship-based care delivery and patient-centered care by partnering with the patient and significant others using comprehensive hand-off communication processes.
• Practices using current clinical practice standards with a focus on safety and quality.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the Healing Strategies for wound care and the role of HBO therapy, and the different approved clinical indications and treatment protocols for HBO treatment.
• Delivers care to the patient immediately prior to, during, and immediately following the HBO treatment.
• Monitors and ensures the proper delivery of treatment gas as ordered.
• Monitors the patients continually during treatments for symptoms of oxygen intolerance, claustrophobia, hypoglycemic reactions, decompression sickness or any other adverse reaction to HBO treatments.
• Under the direction of the program manager or designee, appropriately intervenes in the event of an adverse reaction and follows established protocols.
• Demonstrates competence in reinforcing age specific patient and family education on common topics related to the HBO therapy and related underlying disease processes.
• Demonstrates competence in performing ordered treatments including but not limited to vital signs, blood sugars, and emergency procedures.
• Documents required elements of each treatment in a clear, concise manner.
• Demonstrates and applies basic knowledge about HBOT chamber operations to ensure efficacy of treatment and safety of the patient and those in the immediate area.
• Operates controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to prescribed policies for clinical indications and physician orders.
• Maintains accurate logs and records of the time, pressures, depths, etc. of chamber operations according to established protocols.
• Performs maintenance of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related support systems under the guidance of the Program Director/Safety Coordinator.
• Cleans chamber following each treatment, according to recommendations of manufacturer, and in accordance with established facility infection control policies.
• Maintains emergency equipment and supplies located in the HBO area.
• Serves as clinical expert in various hospital committees, community groups and organizations; leads outcome evaluations including quarterly NDNQI pressure ulcer prevalence; participates in improvement initiatives related to WOC nursing practice.
• Coordinates the delivery and documentation of safe quality patient care which includes promotion of interdisciplinary communication and regular interdisciplinary planning/rounds.
• Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a manner that is fiscally responsible and promotes the recruitment and retention of all healthcare team members.
• Participates and supports performance improvement inclusive of all stakeholders, research and research utilization to promote safe, quality patient care.
• Promotes Evidence based practice, nursing research and performance improvement in nursing.
• Upholds all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies put forth by this job description and professional association.
• Participates in data collection, poses relevant clinical questions to advance evidence-based practice.
• Proactively plans for the care of patients across the care continuum in the course of giving direct patient care.
• Participates in the development of protocols and procedures when called upon or through self-initiation in collaboration with care managers and other members of the health care team.
• Supports efficient and effective use of human and material resources.
• Precepts specialty students (WOCN Program) and Nurse Practitioner students from Emory University WOCN Program, as well as KSU and distance learning students from across the United States.
• Provides education and orientation to new hires and at continuing education opportunities to existing nurses and NCAs.
• Ensures patient/family/staff confidentiality and corporate compliance.
• Serves as a preceptor (or mentor) for other professional nurses.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education

Associates Nursing or Diploma (Nurse) Nursing or Bachelors Nursing-Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated. BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor. RN - Reg Nurse (Single State) or RN-COMPACT - RN - Multi-state Compact.

Required Minimum Experience

Minimum 3 years as a staff nurse in an acute care setting. Required.