WOUND, OSTOMY AND CONTINENCE NURSE (WOCN

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $105,000 -$110,000

JOB TITLE : WOUND, OSTOMY AND CONTINENCE NURSE (WOCN)

Responsible to : Director of Patient Services

WOC NURSE DEFINITION / DESCRIPTION :

As per the NPUAP, wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurses are experts in caring for patients with wounds, ostomies, and incontinence. This includes people with abdominal stomas, wounds, fistulas, drains, pressure injuries, and / or continence disorders. WOCNs can serve as consultants, educators, researchers, and provide patient care. The WOCN coordinates treatment to provide comprehensive wound assessments and assists to set up plans of care including interventions and goals, implementation of treatment, evaluation and outcomes for patients with wounds, fistulas, drains, ostomies or continence disorders. They act as a resource person for clinical staff and physicians and can participate in the quality improvement plan / activities for the agency.

JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES / KNOWLEDGE :

• Perform wound assessment, reassessment, and management for wound and ostomy patients as requested by agency staff per policy.
• Provide oversight of wound care provided by RNs and LPNs in management of acute and chronic wounds. Provides in-services on wound prevention, wound care ostomy care and incontinence related care.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and disorders of the skin, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems.
• Utilize the most up to date wound management theory (WOCN and NPUAP standards) when providing care to patients with acute and chronic wounds.
• Formulate a teaching plan based on identified learning needs, educate patients, families and nurses on wound care, infection, and injury prevention, evaluation of patient's response to treatment and effectiveness of treatment plan.
• Evaluate effectiveness of learning for patients, families and employees as appropriate.
• Provide and instruct on evidence-based tools for staff nurses for decision support
• Assists clinical management to develop and implement policies and procedures to manage patients with draining wounds, fistulae and / or tubes, wound prevention, wound care, ostomy care and incontinence.
• Educate the individual / family / caregiver on how to change, empty, and manage the pouching system; normal function of the ostomy; normal characteristics of the stoma and peristomal skin; and signs of complications to report to their healthcare provider
• Treat stomal and peristomal skin complications
• Navigate resources for patient supplies to reduce ED visits
• Consult with clinicians to provide follow-up care post-discharge via review of photos of affected site(s), Telehealth, or in person visits
• Serve as a liaison between physicians, patients and manufacturers of clinical products, knowledgeable of clinical products currently available on the market.
• Operates all equipment correctly and safely.
• Perform focused assessments including relevant history to identify risks, contributive factors, and reversible causes on incontinence
• Advocate for reimbursement of supplies, services, and access to long-term support

JOB PERFORMANCE :

QUALIFICATIONS :

MISSION / AGENCY STANDARDS

Demonstrates organizational awareness and commitment

Observes confidentiality policy at all times

Observes attendance and attire policies

Complies with all other related policies, procedures and requests

Conserves agency resources

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Demonstrates interpersonal understanding and utilizes effective communication skills

PERSONAL / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PROBLEM SOLVING

Exhibits critical thinking abilities and applies them for continuous improvement of services and the agency