GRADUATE NURSE

Autonomous wound care specialist providing consultative and individualized patient care consistent with the mission and values of the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Institute (UM Rehab & Ortho) and in accordance within the scope of practice, professional, and regulatory standards. Provides care appropriate to the age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual needs of the persons served. Designs and implements comprehensive wound care direction to clinical staff and specified patient populations using evidence-based practice.
* Acknowledged as specialized resource and active participant within the interdisciplinary patient care services team. Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age, culture, ethnicity, and specific individual diagnostic needs of the patients served in his/her department. He/she must be able to assess and interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's specific needs and provide the care needed by the patient group population.
* Provides consultative unit wound care rounds on each inpatient unit as needed..
* Electronic/Paper documentation- Assures accurate and concise entry of patient care delivery along the continuum. Guides staff in documenting/entering data correctly in the medical record/EMR. Completes required training on electronic documentation.
* Wound Care- Guides staff in wound management processes that promote healing and maintain structural integrity of the skin. Holds self and staff responsible to perform a comprehensive skin assessment of the patient including accurate use of Braden Scale to assess risk of skin breakdown. Guides staff in identifying risk factors for impaired skin integrity. Assures nutrition and wound care consultative services are obtained as indicated by findings.
* Team Leadership- Uses interpersonal and clinical skills to foster the concepts of team collaboration and team unity. Develops communication skills to enhance networking with other clinical staff. Delegates nursing tasks to licensed and unlicensed staff appropriate to skill level, competency and scope of role. Encourages and empowers the staff toward professional growth despite diversity and personal differences. Uses multiple strategies toward organizational and/or unit change(s) for improvement. Assists the staff toward improving their individual or collective performance and productivity areas for improvement. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Management- Demonstrates ability to care for and manage a patient requiring NPWT. This includes knowledge of various dressing applications, various pumps and pump settings, assurance of ongoing clinical care delivery. Serves as a mentor and/or teacher for others in care of patient using a NPWT device.
* Assessment, Staging and Care of Pressure Injuries - Utilizing the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) pressure injury staging definitions, describes, accurately stages and recommends evidence-based treatments and practices for prevention and care of pressure injuries. Participates in coordination of periodic facility pressure injury prevalence surveys. Collects QI data regarding all facility-acquired and healing Stage III/IV pressure injuries. Teaches/mentors other clinical staff regarding prevention and care of pressure injuries. Wound/Skin Care Consultations - Provides consultation at request of other members of the health care team regarding care of various wounds and skin conditions. Documents with photography and in the electronic medical record, recommending appropriate evidence-based care interventions. Teaches/mentors staff, patients and caregivers in application of recommended wound care strategies, dressings and treatment systems, including specialty support surface/bed selection and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
* Ostomy and Fistula Management- Implements/recommends appropriate strategies and principles for managing gastrostomy tubes, various ostomies and fistulas to contain drainage, and maintain, heal and prevent skin breakdown from such drainage. Participates in selection, procurement and application of appropriate containment devices; teaches staff, patients and caregivers regarding various products and care of identified conditions.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide specialty wound care appropriate to the age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs of the persons served.
* Acknowledged as the expert wound resource and active participant within the interdisciplinary patient care services team.
* Mentors and precepts staff to upgrade wound care knowledge and skills.
* Acts as a change agent by supporting unit/organizational goals and participating in problem solving initiatives.
* Demonstrates effective documentation practices including required components of assessment, care planning, treatment and patient progress.
* Recommends appropriate therapeutic treatment modalities (DME and wound care devices/supplies) in preparation for efficient discharge planning.
* Serves as wound care consultant primarily to Nursing and extending to the interdisciplinary team.
* Participates in protocol development resulting in standardized wound care approaches across the organization.
* Quality and Patient Safety:

* Participates in quality initiatives selected by the organization to assess, ensure and elevate quality of wound care practices. These may include monitoring outcomes of hospital-acquired pressure injuries and other selected metrics. Collects and assimilates data as requested.
* Ensures the safety of the clinical environment for patients, visitors, and other staff members.
* Detects, reports, and takes action to avoid or correct safety risks.
* Uses proper channels to select and evaluate wound care products for hospital trial and utilization.
* Participates in the testing and selection of wound-related products such as selecting surfaces, trialing wound products, etc.
* Employs practices that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maximize charge capture when delivering patient care.
* Flexes scheduled hours to accommodate patient care service demands and staff needs.
* Recommends new technologies that reduce the cost of care or improve patient outcomes.

Identifies and addresses learning needs of self and fellow staff.
* Completes written and/or computerized training.
* Supports or participates in approved research projects.
* Participates in the growth, development, and support of wound champion nurses and fellow staff on clinical units to assure proper wound care 24/7.

With roots that go as far back as 1895, the UM Rehab & Ortho Institute continues to be a pioneer in orthopedics and neurological disorders. From bones to brains, our cutting-edge hospital heals even the most serious of injuries, specializing in everything from total joint replacement to spinal cord injuries and neurological condition. In total, our 141-bed facility welcomes over 3,000 patients every year. As the state's largest provider of inpatient rehabilitation services, we offer some of the most advanced therapies for stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic and sports injury, among many others.

Graduate of an accredited RN program
* A minimum of 2 years nursing experience, wound/ostomy or rehabilitation preferred.
* Certification in area of Rehabilitation Nursing (CRRN) is preferred.

Demonstrated/documented highly effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to learn and apply computer systems in order to manage patient information.
* Highly effective verbal communication skills including courtesy, resourcefulness and efficiency in answering questions, giving directions, locating staff and explaining hospital/departmental policies and procedures are necessary. Effective writing skills are also required in order to take messages and maintain miscellaneous records, receipts, reports and logs.
* Wound Care Agents
* Continence Care
* Nutritional Risk Assessment and Wound Prevention Strategies

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.