Job Summary:

The Wound Care Certified (WCC) Registered Nurse (RN) provides nursing care to patients/clients as requested by the patient/client and, when required, as prescribed by the physician and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the policies of Lorian Home Systems, Inc. (LORIAN).

Qualifications

• Certified through the National Alliance of Wound Care as a WCC Nurse.
• C urrently licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of California.
• Has at least one (1) year acute nursing experience with current home health, medical, surgical, and/or critical care experience.
• Has a satisfactory reference from one or more nursing schools, previous (or current) employers, and/or professional peers.
• Possesses excellent observation, good nursing judgment, and good oral and written communication skills.
• Is self-directing and has the ability to work with little direct supervision.
• Possesses and maintains good physical stamina and mental health. Presents a pre-employment physician’s health clearance, including negative TB skin tests and/or CXR and other tests as required by specific state statutes.
• Is flexible and cooperative in fulfilling the role obligations.
• Possesses and maintains current CPR certification.
• Demonstrates tact, patience, and good personal hygiene.
• Is a licensed driver and has an automobile that is insured in accordance with LORIAN requirements.
• Must be able to verbally communicate in the language of the client or provide information from another source that is in the language of the client and document all client related activity practices.
• Prior teaching with patients, families, staff, and pediatric and/or adult populations.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Analytical and strong problem solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines, high volumes and multiple interruptions.

Responsibilities

• Analytical skills appropriate to develop and evaluate educational programs, resolve complex patient care problems, and prepare comprehensive plans of care.
• Interpersonal skills appropriate to instruct patients and families, to conduct formal educational programs, and to maintain effective relationships with LORIAN.
• Delivers care in a manner that is culturally competent and preserves patient autonomy, dignity, and rights.
• Utilizing the nursing process, initiates assessment, planning, and implementation of care; instructs nursing personnel in the care of patients with ostomies, stomas, draining wounds, fistulas, pressure ulcers, acute or chronic wounds, and continence disorders including stoma siting, teaching of intermittent catheterization, and consultation.
• Developing a treatment plan according to current wound care protocols; explain dressing rationale, institute preventive measures and monitor results of care delivered.
• Collaborates with nurses and other disciplines, physicians, and other departments to develop, implement and evaluate programs and services that support patient care delivery in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing.
• Collaborates with and serves as a resource for other health professionals to promote delivery of quality services and patient education in the home setting as well as the community.
• Assesses the educational needs of a select group of patients/significant others/staff and develops and implements appropriate teaching strategies.
• Identify nutritional deficiencies; coordinate with health care personnel to solve nutrition problems and report results to respective supervisors.
• Identify patients requiring debridement procedures and alerts attending physician.
• Evaluates, selects, and recommends supplies and equipment for patients with ostomies, draining wounds, fistulas, pressure ulcers, acute or chronic wounds, and continence disorders.
• Evaluates each individual patient’s response to treatment.
• Completes, maintains, and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patients/clients condition and care given in accordance with LORIAN policies and procedures.
• Attends patient care conferences and staff meetings as needed; communicates patients' special needs to appropriate healthcare team members.
• Participates in quality assessment through the development of aspects of care and indicators pertinent to stoma and skin care and monitors clinical nursing practice.
• Collaborates with medical and nursing clinicians, operational personnel, and outside agencies to improve clinical services in a cost effective manner.
• Participates in projects related to area of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing and developing and evaluating educational materials and programs and policies.
• Initiates discharge planning for patient at time of patient contact, including families and significant others as appropriate.
• Makes appropriate referrals for patients and provides counsel to enable them to adjust to living with a specific medical condition.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.