GENERAL SUMMARY:

Demonstrates wound, skin & ostomy care expertise and clinical leadership. Conducts comprehensive skin, wound & ostomy assessments and develops a plan of care for patients of all age groups. Provides wound, skin & ostomy education to patients, family members, providers and all other members of the health care team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Serves as a wound, skin & ostomy resource and maintains ongoing collaboration with other disciplines.

· Identifies wound, skin & ostomy educational needs. Develops program(s) to meet those needs, and coordinates implementation of the program(s).

· Evaluates programs and modifies as indicated.

· Coordinates and monitors wound, skin & ostomy competencies and protocol development / revision.

· Integrates NPUAP & WOCN skin standards, as well as WOCN practice guidelines into practice which includes skin, wound & ostomy assessment, documentation, staff / patient education, and competency development.

· Serves as a clinical preceptor for nursing students and graduate-level healthcare professionals.

· Implements innovative programs to promote positive skin, wound & ostomy management behaviors by staff.

· Works independently using the Nurse Practice Act, Mercy Medical Center policies, nursing standards, and professional judgment.

· Provides consultation in specialty area to all levels of health care providers throughout the hospital, affiliated schools of nursing, and the community.

· Identifies learning needs and develops individualized measures to meet them.

· Participates in staff development activities and orientation for unit and nursing department personnel within defined specialty, as requested.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

· Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

· Possession of a current or compact state license as a registered nurse issued/defined by the State of Iowa.

· Bachelor degree in nursing required.

· Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification within 1 year of hire.

· Basic Life Support (BLS) certified or obtained within three (3) months of hire. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include American Heart Association Basic Life Support.

· Proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to population served within three (3) months of hire.