Wound Care Nurse - ALIYA of Palos Park

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position. Reports to Director of Nursing.

Basic Function

The primary purpose of Wound Care Nurse is to provide for the day-to-day care needs of the residents in a Skilled Nursing Facility Environment.

Essential Duties

1.       Provide hands on care to the resident based on the resident Plan of Care.

2.       Must be able to identify changes in the resident condition and evaluate the resident care needs.

3.       Strong focus assessment skills as well as documentation skills.

4.       Must be able to evaluate and participate in the development of the Resident Plan of Care.

5.       Monitor the resident overall condition and provide care as required while maintaining compliance with the facility policy and procedures.

6.       Provide primary skin care to residents under the medical direction and supervision of the residents’ attending physicians, or the Director of Nursing Services, with an emphasis on treatment and therapy of skin disorders.

7.       Must be able to identify, manage, and treat specific skin disorders, primary and secondary lesions, and decubitus ulcers.

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

9.       Participate in the development and implementation of an individualized patient care plan for the resident with allied health team members.

10.    Implement total nursing care plan through assessment, planning and evaluation.

11.    Administer prescribed medications and treatments according to policy and procedures; evaluate treatment effectiveness on a continuing basis.

12.    Assist in maintaining a physical, social and psychological environment, which is conducive to the overall welfare of the resident.

13.    Participate in resident and family teaching.

14.    Monitor performance of team members and become involved in staff development, evaluation and discipline when indicated.

15.    Assign nursing care duties to team members and ensure such duties are completed in an appropriate manner.

16.    Remain current in facility policies, procedures, and nursing trends by participating in inservice and continuing education programs.

17.    Recognize significant changes in the condition of residents and take necessary action.

18.    Document nursing care rendered, resident response, and all other pertinent and necessary data as outlined in facility's policies and procedures.

19.    Function as a charge nurse by serving as a resource person to staff, answer questions, problem solve, and make decisions relevant to resident care.

20.    Adhere to all facility and department safety policies and procedures.

21.    Any other duties as necessary.

22.    Ensuring medical supplies are available for wound care treatments.

23.    Removing dressings, cleaning wounds, applying medication per physician protocol and redressing wounds.

24.    Assess, document, treat and dress wounds.

25.    Daily dressing changes.

26.    Daily and weekly documentation.

27.    Assessment of admissions and readmissions.

28.    Timely and appropriate communication with Wound doctor, family, DON, ADON, Physician, etc.

29.    Educating family, staff, and resident about importance of nutrition, skin barriers, hydration, turning and repositioning to promote successful wound healing.

30.    Initiate care plans and complete MDS Charting.

31.    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

32.    Ability to communicate and work well with patients and staff members.

33.    Ability to follow facility policies and procedures.

34.    Ability to speak the English language in an understandable manner.

35.    Ability to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

36.    Ability to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, mentally ill, emotionally upset and at times hostile and violent residents within the facility.

37.    Ability to remain current in practice as applicable to job.