Wound Ostomy Consultant

Serve as an expert clinician and consultant for patients who have alterations in skin integrity. The scope of care consists of, but is not limited to, wound, ostomy, and continence care. Assist in identifying patients at risk for skin integrity problems and facilitate the creation of appropriate plans of care. Optimize the wound patient experience across the continuum of care. Work collaboratively with the Wound Care Center clinicians, physicians, nurses, and nursing leaders.

Actively work in inpatient and SNF settings to identify patients who can benefit from treatment. Provide direct patient consults for treatment recommendations within the scope of practice of a certified wound and ostomy nurse. In addition, facilitate the referral process to expedite patient care within the continuum. Lead performance improvement efforts in preventing and reducing hospital‑acquired pressure injuries. Build effective working relationships with nursing leadership, advanced practice nurses, nursing staff, clinical resource management staff, and physicians.

Organize transdisciplinary wound rounds. Facilitate the effectiveness and functioning of the Skin Team. Serve as an active member of the team. Oversee and monitor specialty bed utilization across the continuum, provide utilization reports and updated bed algorithms based on system changes and evidence‑based practices. Provide continuing education around wound, ostomy, and continence care. Organize and conduct quarterly NDNQI pressure injury prevention studies.

Ensure timely and complete data collection, entry, and reporting to NDNQ in collaboration with Quality. Respond to pressure injury queries from the State and CMS. Report pressure‑injury prevalence results. Participate in nursing orientation as required. Monitor and make improvements to documentation in collaboration with Informatics. Run reports, analyze data, and create improvement plans to identified needs. Speak and read English at a level sufficient to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position.

Know standard office equipment (calculator, fax, photocopier) and personal computer and computer software skills (MS Windows, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, internet, e‑mail). Possess Windows computer skills including proficient use of keyboarding, mouse or keys for functions such as selecting items, using drop‑down menus, scroll bars, opening folders, copying, and similar operations required upon employment or within the first two weeks of employment to perform the essential functions of the job.

Perform other duties as assigned. Follow Palomar Health rules, policies, procedures, applicable laws and standards. Carry out the mission, vision, and quality commitment of Palomar Health.

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• Preferred Education: Master’s Degree Nursing
• Minimum Experience: 3 years working with adult patient populations including wound care
• Preferred Experience: 2 years practicing as a WOCN, CWCN, or CWS
• Required Certification: Current Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN), Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON), Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN) or Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN);
  Wound Care Certification (WCC) or Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) willing to pursue a program to become eligible for CWOCN or CWON within 15 months of hire. American Heart Association recognized BLS – Healthcare Provider
• Preferred Certification: Current certification through the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse Certification Board (WOCNCB) as either a Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (WOCN), Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) or Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse
• Required License: Current CA RN License
• Preferred License: Not Applicable