RN Medical Ambulatory Care Wound Care

JOB SUMMARY

The registered nurse provides various clinical services depending on their areas of specialization and their work environment. The RN is responsible for the nursing management of patients being evaluated and treated in the MAC Wound Care Center.  The RN provides care for the patients as well as assisting physicians and advanced care practitioners in providing treatment to patients in various medical settings. The RN monitors, records and reports symptoms or changes in patient’s conditions. The RN is tasked with maintaining accurate patients’ reports and medical histories, administering medication and treatment, performing dressing changes to patients, preparing for and supporting the provider and the patient during clinic procedures and observing reactions or side effects. Registered nurses may perform diagnostic tests, supervise less skilled licensed or certified nurses, and prepare patients for examination and treatment. The RN educates advises and patients and their families / caregivers on various health conditions, discharge instructions, and follow up care.                                                                                              

PRINCIPLE FUNCTIONS include the following, other duties may be assigned:

1. Patient Assessment:

Reviews provider orders and completes assessment with patient / family / caregiver and takes appropriate actions for inaccurate or incomplete orders. Evaluates patient care needs.  Suggest solutions to patient care problems & complaints.  Performs a nursing assessment prior to each clinic procedure and dressing change and throughout any procedures. Evaluates lab data and clinical information before proceeding with patient treatment. Performs medical reconciliation for every patient visit.  Ability to perform  patient assessment via telephone triage.

1. Plan of Care:

Care coordination (across the continuum of care).  Responsible for patient case management. Coordinates nursing and patient care activities within the department and with other clinical departments in order to provide efficient, comprehensive & cost effective patient care.  This includes working with reception and scheduling staff to ensure appropriate patient bookings and appointment triage.  Develops a plan of care consistent with RN assessment, assessed patient and family learning needs and provider orders consistent with specific treatment goals and provider diagnosis.

1. Care Provided:

Implements and completes treatment process with patient including patient and/or family/caregiver education.  Provides psychosocial support to patient and family and refers to other resources which may include consultation to social services, dieticians, financial advocates or other areas when patient’s situation indicates. Accepts car assignments according to education and skill level.

1. Clinic Procedures:

Knowledge of all clinic procedures, medications, dressings and potential side effects.  Prior to procedures, safely prepares instruments, supplies, medications, and procedure trays and positions the patient as appropriate.  Administers medications as ordered by provider in accordance with hospital and department policies. Applies dressings as ordered by the provider and documents same. Takes wound measurements and photographs before and after any wound debridement procedures that are performed and inputs or uploads the data and photographs into the patient’s medical record. Upon request of the provider, uses the Moleculight bacterial fluorescence imaging device to document the bacterial load in the patient’s wound and uploads the images into the patient’s medical record.

1. Quality Assurance:

Assess quality of care, patient progress, and modifies plan of care as needed. Reports any abnormalities, patient and family/caregiver concerns, and/or injuries to Provider.  Participates in departmental and organizational quality improvement programs, when applicable.  Maintains professional affiliations and continuing education as required.

1. Documentation:

Completes documentation for care provided as well as or any other specialty patient care data in accordance with department and organizational policy.

JOB KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONS

Education

ASN diploma/degree required, BSN preferred.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Training and Experience

At least one year of wound care experience preferred.                                                                                                                                                                                          

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Active Washington State RN licensure. Registered Nurse Wound Care Certification preferred. BLS Required.