Position Highlights:

• Sign on bonus: None
• Position: RN -Wound Care - Per Diem
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Part-Time (Per Diem)
• Hours: Per Diem; Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Required Travel: None

What you will need:

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Registered Nurse with current state license in good standing
• One (1) year prior experience in an acute care setting
• Wound Care Certification is preferred or direct, relevant clinical experience required.
• Experience in ambulatory care desirable
• American Heart Association BLS Certification
• Able to complete a two-person lift to examination chair 
• ACLS, PALS, NRP may be required within six months depending on the unit requirements

General Summary:

Outpatient Clinic:

In the Outpatient Clinic, the Wound Care Registered Nurse provides direct care for Wound Care Center patients under the direction of the Clinical Manager. Working autonomously, and in a team-environment, the RN accepts responsibility and accountability for assigned patients, as a case manager, to plan, implement and evaluate the care for patients.

Inpatient Care:

In the inpatient setting, the Wound Care Registered Nurse provides direct care for Wound Care Center patients under the direction of the Wound Care Advanced Practice Nurse. Working in conjunction with the APN, the RN accepts responsibility and accountability for assigned patients, assesses patients appropriately, initiates wound avoidance therapies and implements wound therapies. The RN acts as a resource to the unit-based nurses in the area of advanced wound treatment. On call duties shared among RN and APN staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

Demonstrates a commitment to the mission of Swedish Hospital, exhibits a service orientation   and adheres to all responsibilities and standards of the hospital.

• Utilizes the nursing process to assess, diagnosis, plan, implement and evaluate the delivery of nursing care to patients and their families.
• Maintains competency reflective of current standards practice.
• Interacts and contributes to the professional development of peers and colleagues.
• Integrates ethical provisions in all areas of nursing practice.
• Integrates evidence-based practice and research findings into nursing practice.
• Recognizes and adjusts to situations that vary from the norm.
• Promotes safety measures to prevent patient and staff injuries.
• Guides and supervises staff in the provision of patient care.
• Enhances own professional growth and development.
• Maintains a safe therapeutic working environment and recognizes need for action in emergency situations.
• Documentation is thoroughly and timely completed

Job-Specific Direct Patient Care Services

Outpatient

• Provides case management for a group of patients under the supervision of the clinical manager.
• Works in a team environment, along with other RNs, LPNs, Nursing Assistants and physicians
• Assesses new patients and monitors and documents wound healing progress
• Initiates therapies such as wound wrapping
• Assists the Wound Care physician in documentation, assessment, taking photos of wounds
• Demonstrates clinical competence in procedural skills, treatments and patient/caregiver education.

Inpatient

• Routinely conducts Skin Assessment, correctly identifying problems, and differentiates causes of wounds, for example, differentiating a fungal rash from incontinent dermatitis
• Identifies high-risk patient by accessing the Braden Score
• Focuses attention on at-risk patients – i.e. those with low Braden scores < 15
• Implements wound care therapies such as creams, devices, dressings, immobilization devices, etc.
• Ensures that hospital skin care policies and procedures are followed
• Educates the nurses and the nurse’s aides concerning prevention of pressure ulcers and incontinent dermatitis
• Documents wound care status onto the Meditech system, such as Pressure Ulcer Prevention (PUP) compliance
• Educates others regarding prevention practices, and ensures that correct barrier creams, appropriate bed covering and proper heel-lift boots are utilized
• Evaluate need for bowel management systems
• Ensure proper placement of tubes and devices which could cause pressure ulcers

General Nursing-Process Responsibilities

• Implements and evaluates progress towards goals for a prescribed plan of care based on the Clinical Pathway for Wound Healing
• Demonstrates competence in interviewing and observational skills in order to gather relevant information for a patient history, nursing assessment and evaluation of patients
• Collaborates with other health care providers and acts as a patient advocate, protecting patient rights
• Adheres to prescribed guidelines and standards of practice.
• Assumes responsibility and assists others without being asked and serves as a role model for others
• Actively participates in quality management.

Planning/Organizing/Initiating

• Utilizes resources effectively
• Organizes and prioritizes work, taking direction from the clinical manager and physicians
• Follows through on assignments, consistently completes duties
• Follows proper channels of communication, anticipating and consistently handling daily and routine problems and recognizing complex issues that need referral to a manager

General Work Practices 

• Supports a harmonious work environment.
• Consistently conducts self in a professional manner.
• Demonstrates flexibility with staffing needs.
• Participates in change efforts towards improvement of the work environment.
• Judicious in supply utilization and assures charges are recorded appropriately.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the clinical manager.

 Health and Safety

• Adheres to infection control, emergency, safety, fire and disaster plans and policies.
• Demonstrates consistent use of Standard Precautions and adheres to OSHA guidelines.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics in the delivery of patient care.
• Provides care in a safe environment, protecting patients, visitors, staff and self.

Communication

• Reports data to clinical manager and physicians in a timely manner.
• Documents appropriately, assuring appropriate consent for treatment is obtained before proceeding with care
• Provides accurate, clear, concise and timely written and oral communications
• Keeps patients/families/caregivers adequately informed and promotes discussions between patient/caregivers and physician

Professional Growth

• Participates in appropriate in-services and educational opportunities
• Attends a minimum of two in-services per year and/or participates in other educational programs available at the hospital

PATIENT CARE/AGE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Must posses the ability to deal effectively all age groups.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

• Committee membership and participation

ACCESS TO PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

Computer system access for the Nursing Division is assigned based on criteria and on the minimum necessary as described in this job description. Approval for level of access is given by the system administrator (for Nursing Division, this is Nursing Informatics) or the department that has ownership of system/module. 

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS

• Frequent contact with patients and their families and significant others, Division of Nursing Staff, Medical Staff, other hospital personnel, and insurance companies

ENVIRONMENT

• Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting of patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination 100% of the time.
• Involves standing and walking up to 100% of the time.
• Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Requires normal visual acuity and hearing 100% of the time.
• Potential risk to blood borne exposure 100% of the time.

EOE: Race/Color/Religion/Sex/National Origin/Protected Veteran/Disability

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Benefits:

• Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development
• Retirement Options with Company Match
• Community Involvement Opportunities