Wound Ostomy (RN) Nurse, (Columbia County)

Unit

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the Healing Strategies for wound care and the role of HBO therapy, and the different approved clinical indications and treatment protocols for HBO treatment.
• Delivers care to the patient immediately prior to, during, and immediately following the HBO
• treatment that is consistent with existing policies and Healing Strategies within his/her scope
• of practice and documents all aspects of that care.
• Monitors and ensures the proper delivery of treatment gas as ordered.
• Monitors the patients continually during treatments for symptoms of oxygen intolerance, claustrophobia, hypoglycemic reactions, decompression sickness or any other adverse reaction to HBO treatments.
• Under the direction of the program manager or designee, appropriately intervenes in the
• event of an adverse reaction and follows established protocols.
• Demonstrates competence in reinforcing age specific patient and family education on
• common topics related to the HBO therapy and related underlying disease processes.
• Demonstrates competence in performing ordered treatments including but not limited to
• vital signs, blood sugars, and emergency procedures, consistent with existing policies
• and within his/her scope of practice.
• Documents required elements of each treatment in a clear, concise manner that includes a description of the chamber settings, duration of treatment, patient response to the procedure,
• and any other relevant observations.
• Chamber Operations
• Demonstrates and applies basic knowledge about HBOT chamber operations to ensure
• efficacy of treatment and safety of the patient and those in the immediate area.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the basic physiological principles/concepts of the HBO
• treatment and incorporates them into the treatment process.
• Operates controls to pressurize and depressurize the chamber according to prescribed
• policies for clinical indications and physician orders.
• Maintains accurate logs and records of the time, pressures, depths, etc. of chamber operations according to established protocols.
• Performs maintenance of the hyperbaric chamber (s) and related support systems under the guidance of the Program Director/Safety Coordinator.
• Cleans chamber following each treatment, according to recommendations of manufacturer,
• and in accordance with established facility infection control policies.
• Maintains emergency equipment and supplies located in the HBO area. Documents equipment checks as required by established policies. Teamwork and Collaboration
• The WOCN serves as clinical expert in various hospital committees, community groups and organizations (United Ostomy Association, Diabetic Outpatient Clinic and local home care agencies); leads outcome evaluations including quarterly NDNQI pressure ulcer prevalence; participates in improvement initiatives related to WOC nursing practice; evaluates and develops product formularies and algorithms to support best practices for the prevention and treatment of wound, ostomy and continence conditions and facilitates the needs of the bariatric population with specialty bed management.
• Coordinates the delivery and documentation of safe quality patient care which includes promotion of interdisciplinary communication and regular interdisciplinary planning/rounds; completion of timely documentation and promotion of a respectful, inclusive clinical environment
• Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a manner that is fiscally responsible and promotes the recruitment and retention of all healthcare team members.
• Participates and supports performance improvement inclusive of all stakeholders, research and research utilization to promote safe, quality patient care including initiating and/or leading such activities as well as, promoting an inter/intra-disciplinary process and actively supports/participates in shared governance at all levels in the system. Evidence Based Practice and Research
• Promotes Evidence based practice, nursing research and performance improvement in nursing. Participates in activities such as value analysis as part of the decision-making process in evaluating patient care products.
• Upholds all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies put forth by this job description and professional association including legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements and standards ensuring by way of example, such goals as TJC Patient Safety Goals and WellStar Health Systems safety absolutes
• Participates in data collection, poses relevant clinical questions to advance evidence-based practice. Consults appropriate experts and uses appropriate resources, data, and evidence to address practice questions. Resources and Support
• Proactively plans for the care of patients across the care continuum in the course of giving direct patient care.
• Participates in the development of protocols and procedures when called upon or through self-initiation in collaboration with care managers and other members of the health care team to achieve best practice outcomes (i.e., decrease in re-admission rates; avoidable days; adverse events; etc).
• Supports efficient and effective use of human and material resources.
• Precepts specialty students (WOCN Program) and Nurse Practitioner students from Emory University WOCN Program, as well as KSU and distance learning students from across the United States.
• Provides education and orientation to new hires and at continuing education opportunities to existing nurses and NCAs, providing formal and informal education to all levels of staff to appropriately manage patients with wound, ostomy, and continence issues. Professional Development
• Ensures patient/family/staff confidentiality and corporate compliance for self (and accountability for team members) requirements including completing all required mandatory education and proficiencies.
• Serves as a preceptor (or mentor) for other professional nurses (and staff or students for all disciplines) to ensure that there is a current and future qualified workforce; modeling the professional practice of nursing and creating a healthy work environment Performs other duties as assigned Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct. Required Minimum Education: Associates Nursing or Diploma (Nurse) Nursing or Bachelors Nursing-Preferred Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s): All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated. BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor RN - Reg Nurse (Single State) or RN-COMPACT - RN - Multi-state Compact Additional License(s) and Certification(s): Required Minimum Experience: Minimum 3 years as a staff nurse in an acute care setting. Required Required Minimum Skills: Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more. Nationally ranked and locally recognized for our high-quality care and inclusive culture, Wellstar is one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems. Every day, 24,000+ of us work together to provide personalized care for patients at every age and stage of life – and our team members are the foundation of that care. Mission, Vision & Values At a time when the healthcare industry is changing rapidly, Wellstar remains committed to exceeding patients’ and team members’ expectations, while transforming healthcare delivery. OUR MISSION: To enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. OUR VISION: Deliver world-class healthcare to every person, every time. OUR VALUES: We serve with compassion We pursue excellence We honor every voice Culture of Excellence Wellstar consistently receives attention and accolades from national organizations that set the standards for world-class care. Our system-wide practice of safety principles, assessing and addressing errors and seeking feedback from our patients and customers continually earns recognition for advances in safety and quality. Featured on the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and Seramount 100 Best Companies list, we not only provide top-notch care for our patients, but also foster the culture of Wellstar as a Great Place to Work.