Wound Care RN - Inpatient

Job Description Summary

The Wound Care RN serves as an expert practitioner in the assessment and management of ostomies, fistulas, pressure ulcers, wounds, and altered skin integrity and continence issues. Serves as a consultant and in collaboration with other healthcare providers on wound/skin, ostomy and /or continence issues; delivers direct/indirect patient care utilizing the nursing process through data collection and assessment; implementation and prioritization of patient’s problems and needs; and development/implementation/evaluation of a nursing plan of care.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC004924 ORBG - Nursing Administration

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-29

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Work Environment:

Works primarily in a clinical inpatient setting.  Involves exposure to infectious diseases.  Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. Exposed to unpleasant elements including accidents, injuries and illnesses. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations. Is subject to irregular hours.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Wound Care Personnel

Financial Responsibilities:

Assists with control of costs through the judicious use of human and material resources.

Essential Functions:        

Assesses/reassesses patient’s needs related to altered skin integrity, acute and chronic wounds, fistulas, ostomies, and /or continence problems based on observation of patient and interview of patient and/or family, physician’s diagnosis and data, diagnostic results, and relevant data from other healthcare providers.

Uses professional knowledge to develop/revise nursing plans of care for assigned patients according to guidelines and criteria with expected outcomes.

Collaborates, consults and communicates effectively with team members, physicians and other healthcare providers to coordinate the medical and nursing plans of care.

Delivers safe nursing interventions in an organized, efficient, and prioritized manner to address identified needs.

Demonstrates the appropriate use of infection control principles and personal protection equipment while promoting safety of patients, visitors and personnel.

Assists providers with examinations, procedures and other processes related to direct patient care according to established policies and procedures.

Maintains confidentiality of appropriate patient documentation, records and charts to insure an accurate record of the patient’s medical treatment. 

Identifies the appropriate mattress surface and/or pump for condition.

Identifies nutritional deficiencies and consults dietary for nutritional support.

Identifies appropriate products for skin, wound, ostomy, and/or continence patients.

Provides education to patients, families and clinical staff relative to diagnosis and care in preparation for discharge.

Develops protocols for care of skin, wound, ostomy, and/or continence patients.

Assists in orientation and training of clinical staff and serves as a preceptor when requested.

Provides professional presentations for Performance Improvement (PI) initiatives.

Supports the mission, values and vision of the organization.

Performs other miscellaneous and related duties as required.

           

Physical Requirements:

Physical requirements are primarily related to the essential functions of any job. In order to perform the essential functions of this position, you must be able to – stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, hear and smell.  Must be able to lift or exert energy up to 10 pounds 75% of the time and 25 pounds 25% of the time.  Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors, peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen move up/down of left/right) depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances) and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object in focus).

Mental Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read, analyze and interpret complex scientific, clinical or business journals, financial reports or legal documents. Ability to respond to sensitive inquires or complaints from guests, regulatory agencies, staff and members of the business community. Ability to write persuasive correspondence, speeches and articles for publication. Ability to effectively present information to top management, large public groups and Board of Directors.

Ability to perform more complex math functions (add, subtract, multiply and divide) to include calculating percentages, averages, volume, ratio and interpreting graphs – using number, money and units of measurement.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with concrete and abstract concepts and interpret verbal, nonverbal and written instructions.

Age Groups

This position primarily interacts with children, adolescents, and senior citizens and provides direct patient care. All staff members must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to meet the physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related needs of the persons in the assigned work area.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate degree in nursing required. Must obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing within 2 years of hire. Must have a current license in the state of South Carolina as a registered nurse. Knowledge in the assessment, management, and product selection for wounds.  Demonstration of effective verbal and written communication.  Certification as a wound nurse (CWCN), ostomy nurse (COCN), continence nurse (CCCN) or as a wound ostomy, continence nurse (CWOCN) must be obtained within 2 years of hire.  Additional Continence and Foot Care Certification (CFCN) preferred. Two years’ experience in direct patient care preferred. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required. 

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees