Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Serves as a resource person for Wound Ostomy Continence (WOC) patient care practices and visits hospitalized patients and clinic patients as needed and ordered by the patient's physicians or by nursing referral. Responsible for meeting patient's priority needs by assessing, participating in interdisciplinary care planning, providing and/or delegating care and evaluating patients' responses and progress toward clinical outcomes.

The WOC Nurse may supervise Licensed Practical Nurses and/or other support staff in the delivery of patient care as described in Nebraska Statute 71-1, 132.05

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Cooperates with physicians, other WOC Nurses and nursing management to provide wound/ostomy care within a cost effective ostomy wound care program; serves as a clinical resource pre-operatively and post-operatively for patients having ostomy or continent diversion surgery.

3. *Selects and performs ostomy markings as requested by physicians based on the patient's anatomy, activity level and lifestyle.

4. *Participates with unit-based Practice Committee to establish and recommend modifications to practice based on community needs, evidence-based practice and wound ostomy and incontinence care practice standards.

5. Performs care in Specialty Clinic hospital setting based on patient needs and physician orders.

6. *Synthesizes pertinent initial and ongoing patient data to identify nursing priorities for care and desired outcomes/goals; integrates appropriate standards of care into the patient's plan of care based on the diagnosis and age-specific needs; executes therapeutic and/or supportive interventions; monitors patient outcomes on an ongoing basis and reports to the Nurse Manager as needed.

7. *Provides education pre- and post-operatively for the patient and family to meet identified patient needs according to their needs, abilities, preferences and readiness to learn; assists patients, family and/or staff with problem-solving as indicated.

8. Assists and mentors staff in skin, wound and/or drain site assessment to determine need for nursing or medical intervention; provides educational programs to staff pertaining to wound, ostomy and continence care.

9. Provides telephone consultation to outside agencies, not limited to home health care, extended care, hospitals, physician offices, as well as patients regarding wound and ostomy care issues.

10. *Evaluates the patient's response to treatment and effectiveness of interventions; modifies treatment plan as indicated; evaluates patient's progress toward established outcomes.

11. *Incorporates cultural considerations into the plan/delivery of care.

12. *Includes family or significant others in the care of the patient as appropriate; seeks to understand and respond to our customer's and coworker's needs.

13. *Documents patient care and related information according to Medical Center procedures for documentation; completes eligibility paperwork for specific wound care products.

14. *Provides care in conjunction with other members of the interdisciplinary team; participates in multi-disciplinary patient-centered case conferences, as appropriate.

15. *Facilitates patient's transition to the next level of care; collaborates with staff to establish an appropriate plan of care/discharge referral based on the patient's physical, psychological and self-care status.

16. Serves as a resource person for WOC patient care practices; provides consultation and assistance in the care management of patients with skin alterations, wounds and the presence of percutaneous tubes.

17. Actively participates in continued learning opportunities and continued self-development pertinent to the work unit and duties of the job.

18. Provides staff education at the bedside, in formal settings and to outside agencies as appropriate.

19. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "*". Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for the unit of assignment including but not limited to age-specific competencies relative to patient's growth/developmental needs and annual skill competency verification.

2. Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to nursing applications and relative practice area.

3. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

4. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

5. Ability to supervise, provide instruction and evaluate the work of subordinate patient care staff.

6. Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information.

7. Ability to exercise good judgment, courtesy, tact and professionalism.

8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with health care team members and diverse

9. patient populations.

10. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment relevant to changing patient needs, including work with patients with acute, chronic, and complex disease processes, and those who are dying.

11. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act. Must provide evidence of certification and/or instruction for practice area as required by State or Federal standards/regulations. Advanced educational preparation in Wound, Ostomy, Continence (WOC) therapy at an institution by the International WOC Association within 12 months of hire required. Certification in WOC management within 12 months of hire required.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association (for healthcare

professionals), American Red Cross (for healthcare professionals) and the Military Training Network.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.