LPN Wound Care/Treatment Nurse

Job Description General Purpose

Under the direction of the Director of Nursing or Assistant Director of Nursing, the Treatment Nurse is responsible for the skin care to residents under the medical direction and supervision of the residents’ attending physicians, or the Medical Director of the facility, with an emphasis on treatment and therapy of skin disorders.

Qualifications

• Must be a Licensed Nurse in good standing and meet all applicable Federal and State Licensure requirements.

• Must have previous experience in a hospital, long-term care facility or other healthcare related facility

• Must exhibit basic nursing competency skills.

• Must demonstrate leadership and supervisory skills

• Capable of performing basic computer skills required for electronic documentation.

• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action

• Must be capable of maintaining regular attendance

• Must have patience, tact, enthusiasm, and positive attitude toward the elderly and disabled

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must be able to speak, read, write and understand English

• Must be capable of performing the Essential Job Functions and Physical and Sensory Requirements for All Job Functions as outlined below.

Standard Requirements

• Support the Mission, Values, and Vision of NHS Management, L.L.C. and the facility.

• Knowledgeable of resident rights and ensures an atmosphere, which allows for the privacy, dignity, and well-being of all residents in a safe, secure environment.

• Report to Management immediately all instances of abuse, neglect, misappropriation/handling of resident property, or other concerns such as inadequate staffing, etc.

• Participate in all investigations as required.

• Follows policies for acceptable attendance, uniform and dress codes including personal

  hygiene, and other work duties as assigned.

• Support, cooperate with, and implement specific procedures and programs for:

• Safety, including standard precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management, and security, report and/or correct unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs.

• Maintain confidentiality of all data, including resident, employee, and operations data and comply with HIPAA Privacy and Security.

• Comply with all Quality Assurance and regulatory requirements.

• Comply with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from harassment, and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.

• Complete required in-service training.

• Support and participate in common teamwork and provide great customer service

• Have a positive frame of mind, friendly communication and genuine care and concern with residents, families, visitors and co-workers.

• Treat residents, families, visitors and co-workers with courtesy and respect, say please, thank you, hello, and goodbye.

• Cooperate and work together with all co-workers, assisting others with a cheerful and helpful attitude.

• Create a positive work environment by promoting dignity, respect and civility in the workplace; avoid negative behaviors that counteract a healthy work environment; treat others as you want to be treated; avoid negative talk such as rumors and gossip.

• Plan and complete job duties with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgment.

• Use tactful, appropriate communications in sensitive and emotional situations.

• Follow up as appropriate with supervisor, co-workers or residents regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns.

• Provide Great Customer Service to internal and external customers:

• Promote positive public relations with residents, family members, and guests.

• Support facilities and facility staff in a friendly, courteous and cooperative manner.

• Comply with all company policies and procedures regarding HIPAA Privacy and Security, the company’s Corporate Compliance and Quality Assurance program requirements.

Essential Job Functions

• Wound Care Functions

• Daily wound treatment as ordered.

• Review daily CNA skin audits and weekly licensed nurse skin audits for compliance and follow up on findings.

• Perform/assist with skin assessments on new and readmissions on date of admission and keep charge nurses trained to assess when wound care nurse not present – review charge nurse assessments when applicable – assist MDSC with completion of pressure ulcer risk tool and development of care plan for prevention/treatment of skin concerns.

• Coordinate prevention/treatment device selection/obtaining/implementation.

• Conduct daily rounds to determine compliance with prevention/treatment plans of care and train staff as needed.

• Coordinates weekly wound subcommittee meetings and oversees that documentation and reviews per NHS protocol and QA P&P are followed.

• Provides current wound/skin concern report to DON at least weekly.

• Reviews resident census and condition roster for accuracy regarding skin concerns at least weekly.

• Provides reports to QA as needed.

• Resident Care Functions

• Initiate requests for evaluation or referral. Must respond to requests from the resident, physician or nursing staff.

• Perform duties such as completing medical forms, wound care records, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, and wound care supply orders.

• Implement and maintain established policies and procedures relative to skin care. Must interpret the policy and procedures to the physician, resident and family members.

• Check daily physician’s orders, TARs for omissions and for appropriate follow-up documentation on PRN medications and treatment.

• Monitors the results of physical therapy activities concerning treatment of wounds.

• Communicate skin status appropriately with staff, sponsors, residents and physician.

• Respond to emergency situations

• Nursing Functions

• Identifies and implements preventative skin care for all at-risk residents

• Ensure that residents with skin conditions receive appropriate preventative treatment, such as turning and activity, appropriate diet and maintaining a clean, dry bed.

• Follow infection control standards.

• Maintains clean and organized treatment cart. Stock treatment cart and requisition treatment supplies.

• Functions as a Charge Nurse when required.

• Personnel Functions

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

• Staff Training & Development Functions

• Participate as requested by the Medical Director or Director of Nursing Services in the planning and conducting of training concerning nursing skills and procedures used within the facility.

• Committee Functions

• Participate in and attend daily clinical QA meetings, weekly and monthly sub-committee meetings, and monthly QA meetings.

• Attend daily morning meeting.

• Attend family council meetings/resident council meetings by invitation.

• Serve on, attend and participate in various committees of the facility as appointed by the Administrator.

• Resident’s Rights Functions

• Monitor all care and activities of residents to ensure that residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity and respect.

• Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident’s room.

• Addresses grievances, completes grievance forms per facility policy with timely follow-up.

• Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request.

• Assures care is provided per residents’ advance directives and facility policy.

• Safety and Equipment Functions

• Ensure that all personnel, residents and visitors follow established policies and procedures, including safety regulations, fire protection and prevention policies, smoking regulations, infection control procedures, and waste and disposal procedures.

• Be familiar with, and use as appropriate, all items of personal protective equipment offered by the facility, including, but not limited to, masks, gowns, gloves, and back brace to be worn when lifting.

• Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g. back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when moving or lifting residents.

• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures.

• Ensure and maintain clean and safe work environment for residents and staff including participation in safety QA program.

• Review accident/incident reports and establish safety training and prevention programs.

Other Job Functions

• Performs all other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Working Conditions

Interact with residents, family members, staff, visitors, government agencies / personnel, etc. under all conditions / circumstances.

May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, staff, visitors, etc., under all conditions / circumstances. May be subject to frustrations in meeting work demands due to frequent interruptions.

Required to make appropriate decisions quickly in a fast-paced environment.May be exposed to infectious waste; diseases, conditions, etc, including exposure to the HIV and Hepatitis viruses, etc.

May be exposed to tobacco smoke in designated smoking areas.

Requirements