Registered Nurse - Wound Ostomy & Continence - VNA Home Health - Days

Full Time (80 Hours Biweekly)

Day Shift

Sign On Bonus Eligible

Job Description:

Under general supervision of the VNA Education Coordinator or Branch Manager, is primarily committed to improving patient care, directly and indirectly, via the role of practitioner, consultant, change agent, educator, researcher, leader, and case manager. Exemplifies and promotes nursing practice excellence by impacting patient care outcomes. Coordinates and manages the care of patients with an ostomy and/or complicated wounds. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes within a defined population.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Accountabilities:

1. Collaborates with other professionals to improve patient care delivery and achieve desired patient outcomes.
2. Assesses ostomate, at a minimum, on admission and discharge to assess supply need/availability/use and psychosocial status. Communicates patient needs to clinicians.
3. Chairs VNA Wound Ostomy Group. Develops Group and Goals. Reviews/recommends change in treatment plans for patients with complex wounds. This includes, but is not limited to, patients with: A two week plateau in wound improvement; a Wound Vac; QD/BID dressing changes; upcoming recertification; and new ostomy
4. Provides oversight and assumes accountability of point of care (POC) for patients with ostomy and complex wound care needs to ensure continuity of care. Attends case conferences.
5. Fosters/facilitates growth and development of staff. Acts as a resource and role model.
6. Coordinates the education, training, and orientation of staff and students. Supervises clinical staff in regards to wound/ostomy care. Provides individualized education as needed.
7. Develops, implements and evaluates educational resources for patients and families.
8. Initiates, implements and evaluates process redesign and system changes including, but not limited to, WOCN and Wound Group notification of ostomy and wound care admissions; and receipt and completion of wound care consults.
9. Provides consultation in area of expertise to management, staff and other disciplines.
10. Assists in the development of quality improvement projects/nursing research and collaborates with staff in developing methodology and analysis of findings. Identifies performance metrics in regards to wounds/ostomies, conducts monthly review of the same, reports findings to Supervisors and Branch Managers and reports findings to
11. Contributes new knowledge to nursing practice by participating in clinical research as appropriate.
12. Acts as a task force/project manager within the System. Manages wound/ostomy supply usage to ensure cost effective, quality outcomes. Maintains formulary and trunk supply lists.
13. Establishes methods/systems for coordinating patients' care throughout the continuum of care and for monitoring patients' progress throughout the episode or care continuum.
14. Collects, analyzes, and disseminates data related to targeted populations.

NonEssential Accountabilities:

1. Attends meetings as required, and participates on committees as requested.
2. Performs other related duties as identified.

Common Expectations:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group
2. Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
3. Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control stands.
4. Enhances professional growth and development through advanced/continuing education to maintain up-to-date knowledge, skills, and competencies. Shares pertinent information and job knowledge, related to readings, educational programs or participation in professional nursing organization activities
5. Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.The following are nonessential job accountabilities for purposes:

Qualifications

• Notes:
  • Other combinations of formal education, training and experience may be considered.
• Minimum Experience:
  • 3 - 5 years
• Minimum Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree
• Required Certification:
  • Registration and current RN license in PA; WOCN Certification; CPR certification
• Physical Demands:
  • Frequent prolonged standing/walking
  • Occasionally lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients
  • Occasionally lifts supplies/equipment
  • Occasional reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching