Wound Care Specialist - IP Wound Care - Per Diem Non-Union, Non-Exempt

Professional practice for the Wound Care Specialist encompasses care for individuals with abdominal stomas, complex draining wounds, fistulae, drains, dermal ulcers and impaired skin integrity related to circulatory compromise and incontinence. The Wound Care Specialist integrates the roles of expert clinician, educator, and consultant in carrying out processes of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of patient care. The Wound Care Specialist collaborates with nursing colleagues, physicians, members of other hospital disciplines, and patients and family members to provide optimum patient care and services.

The Wound Care Specialist is the key liaison to all regulatory agencies upon visit for investigation or survey and facilitates required regulatory studies.

• Acts as a liaison for the patient, family and appropriate health care team members (i.e., nursing and medical staff, ancillary departments and management).
• Assessment of ostomy patient/family needs pre- and post-operatively to establish a plan of care, promoting optimal physical, psychological and social adaptation.
• Assessment and provision of appropriate interventions for individual learning needs of patient/families in relation to cultural background, developmental status and sensorimotor skills.
• Assist staff in identifying pressure ulcers and accurate staging in conjunction with wound physician advisors.
• Assist staff in developing plans of care for selected ostomy, wound and/or skin care patients/families, based upon evidence‑based practice and hospital standards of care.
• Collaborate with other health care professionals and community resources to facilitate continuity of quality patient/family care through discharge; makes referrals as needed.
• Collaborate with the departments of Performance Improvement and Risk Management to serve as liaison to regulatory agencies and perform required NDNQI preference studies.
• Consult directly with patients/families to facilitate selection of ostomy equipment, vendors and community support services.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to assess patients and complete other clinical responsibilities from a developmental perspective.
• Evaluate nursing care and institute planned changes as needed to ensure optimal quality and cost‑effective patient care.
• Instruct patient/families in ostomy, wound and skin care, addressing both direct patient care as well as lifestyle issues as indicated.
• Participate in developing and coordinating effective bedside teaching methods for patients/families. Participate in development and implementation of educational opportunities within the scope of practice to meet the community's needs.
• Participate in the development of hospital policies and procedures, standards of care, teaching plans and patient instructional materials relating to ostomy, wound and skin care.
• Serve as a member of Product Evaluation and Standards Committee (PESC), assisting with selection and implementation of equipment/supplies for ostomy, wound and skin care.
• Serve as a resource throughout the hospital to manage patients with ostomies, complex draining wounds, fistulae, drains, dermal ulcers and impaired skin integrity.
• Member of the Education Team in support of the new graduate nursing program.
• Member of the Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury Steering Committee.

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.

• At least 2 years of recent wound care experience (within the past five years).

• Registered Nurse (RN) licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association.
• Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) or National Alliance Wound Care Ostomy (NAWCO) certification; required or within one year of hire.

• Master's degree.

• 2 years of clinical experience in an acute care setting.
• 5 years of experience in wound care and acute care clinical.

The hourly rate range for this position is $46.00 - $76.07.