Wound Care Nurse RN/LPN - Irving Park Living and Rehab

SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this position is to provide primary skin care to residents under the medical direction and supervision of the resident's attending physician, the Director of Nursing, or the Medical Director of the facility, with an emphasis on treatment and therapy of skin disorders. You will also assist in modifying the treatment regimen to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of the resident, in accordance with established medical practices and the requirements of this state and the policies and goals of this facility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Confer with the Director of Nursing and/or other licensed nursing personnel regarding dermatologic disorders of residents in the facility.

· Consult with the Care Planning Team concerning assessment evaluations and assist in planning and developing the skin care treatment to be performed for the resident.

· Initiate requests for consultation or referral. Respond to requests from the resident, physician, or nursing staff.

· Examine the resident and his/her records and charts, and discriminate between normal and abnormal findings, in order to recognize when to refer the resident to a physician for evaluation, supervision, or directions.

· Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.

· Implement and maintain established policies and procedures relative to skin care treatments. Interpret these to the physician, resident family members, and public as appropriate.

· Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the attending physician, Medical Director, or the DON concerning the status and care of the residents.

· Agree not to disclose resident's protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

· Serve on the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team.

· Work with the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team in developing a comprehensive assessment and care plan for assigned residents.

· Serve on, participate in, and attend various other committees of the facility (e.g., Policy Advisory) as required, and as appointed by the Administrator.

· Provide written and/or oral status reports of residents that you are treating.

· Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to the medical activities of the facility and the skin care of residents.

· Cooperate with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee, interdepartmental, and public relations.

· Meet with and solicit advice from the Medical Director, Director of Nursing, and nursing staff concerning the dermatologic care of residents.

· Maintain an effective, friendly working relationship with health professionals, physicians, consultants, and family members involved.

· Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

· Identify, manage, and treat specific skin disorders and primary and secondary lesions, such as skin abrasions, foot problems such as corns and callouses, decubitus ulcers, bacterial, parasitic and viral skin infections, scaling popular diseases, and benign tumors.

· Provide assessment and diagnostic services to residents. Perform an assessment evaluation using techniques including observation, inspection, and palpation.

· Complete a quarterly physical dermatologic examination on of the resident and record the results with the assessment.

· Provide therapeutic services. Confer with the Care Planning Team in the development of the care plan.

· Provide, within established protocols and under the supervision of the physician, treatment for uncomplicated dermatologic disorders as directed by the attending physician or Medical Director.

· Ensure that residents with decubitus ulcers receive appropriate prophylaxis and treatment, such as daily inspection, turning and activity, a well-planned diet, and maintaining a clean, dry bed.

· Give direct physical and psychological nursing care in emergencies, as well as in the presence of illness or disability in order to maintain life, provide comfort, reduce stress, and enhance the resident's ability to cope. Assist in the admission or discharge of residents.

· Work with other health agencies and family members in the physical and emotional transitions of admission, care, and discharge of residents as necessary.

· Assist in resident rehabilitation activities. Where required, perform range of motion, assist in ambulation, and provide emotional support. Monitor the results of physical therapy activities.

· Provide preventive health care services. Make recommendations to the resident concerning nutrition, prevention of common skins, disorders, etc.

· Provide information to resident and family members of prevention techniques and other ways to maintain or improve the general health and psychosocial status of the resident.

· Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

· Participate as requested by the Medical Director or Director of Nursing in the planning and conducting of in-service training classes concerning dermatologic nursing skills and procedures used within the facility.

· Participate in educational programs for residents and their family members relative to skin care when a resident is being discharged to home.

· Attend and participate in annual facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.)

· Attend and participate in advance directive in-service training programs for the staff and community.

· Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

· Assist in monitoring the inventory of medications, medical supplies, and equipment to ensure an adequate supply of skin care products are on hand to meet the needs of residents.

· Be familiar with and use as appropriate all items of personal protective equipment offered by the facility, including, but not limited to, masks, gowns, gloves, and back brace to be worn when lifting.

· Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost, reports, kickbacks, etc.

· Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

· Monitor all care and activities of residents to ensure that residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity and respect.

· Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident's room.

· Report any complaints or grievances made by residents regarding nursing or medical care to the Director of Nursing. Maintain a written record or any resident's complaints or grievances communicated to you with a notation of actions taken.

· Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.

· Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the facility's policies governing advance directives.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved LPN/RN program.
• Must have, as a minimum, two (2) years' experience as an LPN/RN.
• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an LPN/RN in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.