Registered Nurse (RN) - Wound Ostomy Continence (LTAC) in Memphis, Tennessee at The Regional Medical Center of Memphis

Regional One Health Extended Care Hospital is currently seeking a full-time Wound Care RN. This is a great LTAC clinical setting with excellent patient ratios.

JOB SUMMARY AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of complex wounds, ostomies, and continence care throughout the organization. Provides direct patient care and education to all patients. Establishes standards of care and clinical competencies to meet patients’ needs and training programs to ensure clinical expertise. Provides leadership in the development, coordination, and monitoring of wound care program, and system measurements to improve clinical outcomes.

Coordinates and provides wound, ostomy and continence care/services in accordance with established protocols, policies and procedures. Evaluates the effectiveness of care/services and makes adjustments/recommendations as needed to improve patient care and services.

Plans, organizes and delivers wound management services within the Extended Care Hospital (ECH) consistent within nursing division policies and procedures, demonstrates competencies, and with consideration given to risk management and infection control practices, and patient safety practices.

Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to develop, implement, and evaluate individual care plans based upon the assessment, diagnosis, and expected outcomes of patient.

Assists in developing, implementing and interpreting standards and policies/procedures regarding wound, ostomy and continence care. Establishes best practice principles related to wound, ostomy, and continence care.

Conducts quality assurance programs in conjunction with the Quality Manager. Evaluates the effectiveness of care/services and makes adjustments/recommendations for appropriate additions or deletions to assure quality and cost-effectiveness of products used for wound, ostomy, and continent care as needed to improve patient care and services.

Assists staff in maintaining competence in the areas of skin assessment, wound and ostomy care. Provides in-services regarding skin, wound and ostomy management to staff as needed.

Demonstrates knowledge and technical, interpersonal and critical thinking skills to provide care, maintain clinical competency and meet age-specific patient needs.

Collaborates with staff to provide education for patient(s) undergoing ostomy or continent diversion surgery.

Assesses patient/family preoperatively to devise a care plan for the promotion of physical, psychological and social adaptation.

If appropriate, selects stoma site preoperatively (upon consultation), based on the patients’ anatomy, activity level and lifestyle.

Assists staff to educate and counsel the patient and family preoperatively.

Collaborates with staff to establish appropriate discharge referrals.

Provides consultation and assistance to staff in the management of patients with potential or actual alteration (complex wounds) in skin integrity.

Assesses patient to determine etiologic factors for skin breakdown.

Provides guidance to staff in implementation of protocols to control or eliminate etiologic factors, including selections of appropriate support surface.

Develops comprehensive wound management plan and assists staff in the management of wounds.

Evaluates patient response to treatment and modifies plan as indicated.

Educates patient and staff/caregiver regarding wound management plan.

Provides consultation and assistance to staff in management of patients with draining wounds and fistulas.

Assesses patient to determine type and volume of output, perifistular skin status, abdominal contours and activity level.

Devises plan of care for containment of drainage and odor and protection of perifistular skin.

Educates staff/caregivers regarding wound management and provides assistance as indicated.

Serves as a consultant in the management of patients with urinary and fecal incontinence.

Assesses patient to determine causative and contributing factors for urinary and fecal incontinence.

Recommends referral when indicated for further workup or intervention.

Assists staff in developing care plan for continence care (e.g. bowel or bladder training programs, appropriate containment products and skin care).

Educates patient and staff/caregiver regarding support measures.

Assesses and identifies learning needs of patients with wound/ostomy/continence needs, families, staff and program participants.

Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of wound care management related programs and materials for patients, staff and other professionals.

Engages in patient/family/staff teaching to achieve the desired patient outcomes.

Participates as an active member in staff meetings and committees.

Demonstrates effective work organization in stressful situations and as part of the wound care management team.

Plans and conducts classes, in-services, activities or individual sessions to meet identified learning needs; develops curriculum, teaching materials, lesson plans and evaluation tools.

Maintains awareness of financial issues, cost containment, and resources for patients.

Interacts and communicates with members of the health care team, patients, families and visitors in a customer responsive and courteous manner and in compliance with ECH standards. Works collaboratively and serves as a resource person to medical, nursing and healthcare team to achieve the patient’s expected outcome; consultant to health care providers/organizations/agencies and those participating in care/teaching plan of inpatient or follow-up care of outpatients.

Maintains professional credentials and education necessary to keep abreast and maintain a current knowledge of clinical/theoretical principles, concepts and techniques. Attends continuing education, staff development, and mandatory programs.

Provides instruction to nursing and other support/ancillary personnel to complete the initial and ongoing assessments of patients and to provide clinical assistance as needed. Participates in staff training and performance improvement activities and utilizes the results of the quality of care activities to initiate changes in practices.

Assists in the orientation and oversee the supervision of new staff members and students when they provide patient care, treatment, and services as part of their training.

Maintains a clean, orderly, safe environment for patients and personnel. Adheres to established policies, compliance/quality improvement, and safety, environment and infection control standards.

Prepares and maintains required records and statistics for administrative and regulatory purposes.

Performs other duties as required.

MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT OPERATED: Audiovisual, patient care equipment related to wounds and enterstomal therapy. Computers for clinical documentation.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent nursing experience. Certified as a wound care specialist or must obtain certification within twelve (12) months of assignment. Qualified by education, training or experience to work with adult, adolescence, neonate and/or geriatric patient as specialty assignment dictates.

EXPERIENCE: Twenty four (24) months experience in wound, ostomy and continence nursing required. Instruction skills, knowledge of teaching techniques and methodology required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and to make independent judgments/decisions regarding patient care, within scope of practice. Problem-solving skills required.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION: Current Registered Nurse licensure to work in the state of TN; A certification in wound care must be obtained within specified timeframe.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Prolonged standing and walking; lifting, turning patients and equipment; repeated bending, squatting and stooping; exposure to infectious agents. Ability to conduct physical rounds to nursing/patient care units required. Visual acuity is needed to assess color changes, to verify accuracy of written materials, and to administer and accurately prepare medications. Heavy Work - Exerting up to 150 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 30 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (May be further defined as "with or without assistance.")