Purpose of Your Job Position The primary purpose of the job position is to develop, implement, and supervise day-to-day wound care program of the facility in accordance with established nursing standards, the policies, procedures, and practices of this facility and the requirements of current federal, state, and local standard governing the facility. Delegation of Authority As Wound Care Nurse, you are delegated the authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. Job Functions Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position. Duties and Responsibilities Administrative Functions: • Make written and oral report/recommendations to the Director as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing services department as it specifically relates to wound care coordination • Periodically review the department’s policies, procedure manuals, your job description, etc., and make recommendation for revisions to the Director. • Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing services. • Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary • Understands and complies with Corporate Compliance plan Committee Functions: • Participate in Quality Assurance Programs, and any other facility committee, or program which seeks to improve the performance and accuracy of resident care. • Participate in facility focus group meetings as desired or requested • Attends and participates in weekly wound care meetings Personnel Functions: • Participate in own employee performance evaluation, determining growth needs and goals. • Perform all assigned tasks in accordance with our established policies and procedures, and as instructed by your supervisors. • Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift. • Meet with your supervisor as needed, to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services. • Report all complaints and grievances made by the resident. • Follows established personnel policies according to employee handbook as well as established policies and procedures. • Report absenteeism/call-ins to the Administrator. • Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-departmental personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to ensure that services and activities can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents. • Attends departmental meetings as required. • Follows established personnel policies according to employee handbook as well as established policies and procedures. • Complies with dress code. • Wears name tag while in the facility. • Maintains current immunization record. • Maintains any and all required certifications/licensure. • Attends all mandatory personnel meetings. Specific Job Functions: • Responsible for accurate and timely documentation of wounds in the nurse’s notes at least weekly • Responsible for all treatments required by licensed nurse on your shift and ensuring the wound care treatments are carried out at other times • Evaluate high risk residents for pressure reduction intervention methods • Conduct body assessments& documentation on all new admission per policy • Photographs pressure areas per protocol • Provides direct nursing care (staff nurse) as necessary Staff Development: • Attends Mandatory In-services: (one score for all in-service) o Infection Control/OSHA & CDC o Fire Prevention & Safety o Emergency/Disaster o Accident/Incident o Resident Rights o Confidentiality o Psychosocial needs & caring for aged, ill, disabled, cognitively impaired o Abuse Protection o Advanced Directive o Communication & personal skills o Restorative nursing techniques • Attends and participates in continuing education programs designed to keep staff abreast of changes in your profession, regardless of them being provided by the facility. • Attend and participate in orientation programs as necessary. • Participates in in-service training prior to performing tasks that are new or that employee does not feel competent performing. • Conducts in-service education and orientation programs for department staff to ensure a well-educated department. • Maintain a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations and that will provide assistance in maintaining a quality department. Competency: • Maintains competency & is tested to be competent in: (subject to change based on educational needs of staff.) o Medication o Admission Agreement o Cracking Oxygen Tank o Sterile Wound Care o Tube Feeding o Foley Catheter Care/Change o PEG o Colostomy o IV o Trach-Care o Blood Transfusion Safety: • Follows proper procedure for the following: (one score for all) o Hand washing o Isolation o Personal Protective Equipment o Universal Precautions o Disaster Drills o Hazardous conditions o Safe Operations of Equipment • Ensures a safe environment • Assures hallways are clear of obstacles and unit is free from obstruction. • Mops up spills, which may occur on unit. • Uses appropriate lifting devices to ensure resident & staff safety. • Promptly reports any unsafe working condition. • Reports any accidents to manager or supervisor on duty ASAP. • Demonstrate knowledge of the following: (one score for all) o Fire o General Safety o Disaster Plan Procedures • Dispose of contaminated waste in accordance with facility policy & procedure. • Demonstrates knowledge of proper body mechanics. • Reports occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals • Use personal protective equipment when performing procedures that may involve exposure to blood or body fluids • Reports all hazardous conditions and equipment to the supervisor immediately. Equipment & Supply Functions: • Use only the equipment you have been trained to use. • Operate all equipment in a safe manner. • Report defective equipment to supervisor. Financial Responsibilities: • Utilizes cost effective measures during job performance. • Follows set budgetary guidelines • Use only the equipment and supplies necessary to do the job. Do not be wasteful • Develop and implement procedures that ensure departmental supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste Customer Service & Resident Rights: • Interact/communicate with residents, staff and visitors in a courteous manner. • Acts as a positive representative of facility. • Contributes to team effort, may float to other positions as assigned. • Communicates with employees in all departments. • Keeps all resident and employee information confidential. • Reports all complaints/grievances to the Manager or Supervisor on duty. • Reports actions detrimental to resident welfare to Manager or Supervisor on duty. • Ensures that all care is provided in privacy and personnel knocks before entering the resident’s room. • Reports incidents’ or suspected incidents or resident abuse to the DON/Designee’s immediately. • Honor the resident’s refusal of treatments or medication requests. Report refusal to Nurse Supervisor/Charge Nurse/ • Ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity and respect. • Knowledgeable of all residents’ rights according to facility policy and regulations, including the right for a resident to refuse treatment. • Understands and follows fairly Abuse Prohibition policy & procedure. • Ensures that call lights are answered by all employees of the facility regardless of department. If you are not trained to assist with request/need then inform resident that you will seek appropriate personnel immediately, then do so. Working Conditions: • Works throughout the nursing service area. • Moves intermittently during work hours. • Sits, stands, pushes, bends, stoops and walks intermittently through the workday. • May lift and move patients and equipment. • Is subject to frequent interruptions. • Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances. • Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate. • Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors. • Communicates with medical staff, nursing personnel and other department personnel. • Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. • Is subject to callback during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post – disaster, etc.). • Attends and participates in continuing education programs. • Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, bruise, scratches and odors, etc. throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke and the air contaminants. • Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including but not limited to TB AIDS and Hepatitis B. Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure – Category One (High Exposure Risk). • May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Experience • Previous long-term care experience is preferred. Wound care certification desirable. Specific Requirements: • Must possess the ability to make independent decision when circumstances warrant such action. • Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, resident, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public. • Knowledge of elderly, ill, and/or disabled. • Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition an enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents. • Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition. • Basic understanding of following step-by-step procedures. • Follows and understands written and oral directions. • Knowledge of equipment used in long-term care (e.g., lifts, wheelchairs, Geri chairs, and scales). • Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace. Physical and Sensory Requirements: • Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. • Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. • Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position. • Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met. • Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with resident personnel, and support agencies. • Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination. • Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 (fifty) pounds to a minimum height of 4 (four) feet and be able to push, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 2 (two) feet. • May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations. Required Competencies: QUALITY & PRODUCTIVITY Provides high quality services, processes and programs while consistently seeking ways to improve outcomes and enhance the facility. Meets or exceeds goals and objectives and consistently engages in productive work effort requiring, minimal direction from manager. PROFESSIONALISM Demonstrates self-control by maintaining composure in difficult situations; deals calmly and effectively with stressful situations. Projects a professional image of oneself and the organization and demonstrates a positive attitude towards work and the organization. ACCOUNTABILITY Demonstrates commitment to the position and accepts responsibility for personal actions. COLLABORATION & TEAMWORK Supports a positive team environment in which employees participate, respect and cooperate with each other to achieve desired results. Builds and sustains cooperative working relationships and demonstrates a positive attitude in work assignments and interaction with others. COMMUNICATION Expresses self in a knowledgeable, coherent, and professional manner. Works to resolve conflict and promotes an open and honest environment for feedback and constructive criticism. LEADERSHIP Provides direction and motivation and sets an example through open communication and modeling best practices. Provides appropriate advice, on- going feedback, support and resources to improve effectiveness of individuals and departments. Acknowledgement I have read this job description and fully understand the risks and requirements set forth therein. I hereby accept the position of Wound Care Nurse and agree to perform the identified essential functions in a safe manner and in accordance with the facility’s established procedures. I further understand that the duties listed above may change at any time, either verbally or in writing according to the needs of the facility. I understand that I may be required to work weekends, holidays and may be temporarily assigned to other positions as needed. I further understand that my employment at-will and that employment may be terminated at-will by the facility or myself and that such termination can be made with or without notice
