Wound Ostomy / Continence Nurse
JOB SUMMARY: To provide, coordinate, and support clinical aspects of care for patients with wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) care needs. Critically analyzes the effectiveness of patient care systems and participates in interdisciplinary action to maximize the quality, cost and effectiveness of patient care. Serves as expert WOC clinical resource on 24/7 basis.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Functions as a WOC clinical resource to Nurse Clinicians regarding:
- Assessment of wounds, ostomy, and continence status, care needs and monitoring parameters
- Collaborates in developing patient focused plan addressing WOC care needs and monitoring
- Integrates WOC care needs into care plan for current diagnosis and treatment.
- Ensures continuity of care through appropriate discharge planning, coordination of services, and education.
- Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to assess patient needs for nursing care, patient and family education, and other services.
- Acts as a specialty consultant to physicians, nurses, physical therapist, and patients.
- Educates patients and families regarding WOC care in order to facilitate recovery.
- Promotes and practices patient/family advocacy and facilitates the maintenance of ethical practice.
- Makes recommendations regarding the purchase of WOC patient care products and equipment.
- Remains current regarding professional practice standards, research studies and theories to improve care and applies same as appropriate to management of patient care.
- Maintains WOC data base; analyzes WOC data and reports relevant patterns to Director of Nursing Practice and Professional Advancement.
- Provides formal/informal educational experiences for nursing personnel in collaboration with the educational resource personnel
- Anticipates changes in nursing practice and develops programs with staff to meet these challenges.
Bachelor's degree in nursing and current licensure or valid permit to practice professional nursing in Texas. Graduation from an accredited Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Program. Five years of clinical RN experience, including two years wound, ostomy, and continence nursing experience. Certification as Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (WOCN) in at least two of these areas
Equal Employment Opportunity
UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
