Overview
To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values-integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.
At Bridgeport Hospital, we are committed to providing quality medical care and treatment that is coordinated and centered on the patient's specific needs. We strive to achieve benchmarks as a Patient Centered Medical Home and provide health care in a setting where patients are at the center of their care team. All employees of Bridgeport Hospital are part of the patients care team and contribute to the team approach of promoting access, continuous, comprehensive care and work to provide quality improvement in the care provided to their patients.
Provides direct and indirect care to patients with wounds, ostomies, and incontinence. This position provides leadership by serving as a clinical resource and consultant for staff, physicians, and members of the interdisciplinary care team. Scope includes clinical consultation, education leadership, evidence-based practice and research.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran.
Responsibilities
1 1. Evaluates patient response to treatment and the progress of wound healing, making adjustments and modifications as indicated.
1 2. Works collaboratively with other disciplines in providing care for patients with wounds , fistulas, skin issues, etc.
1 3. Provides follow-up for patients with draining or chronic wounds, fistulas, and other skin alteration issues through direct consultation visits, electronic consultations, and or phone consultations; initiates appropriate referrals.
1 4. Provides consultation and assistance to staff in developing a plan for patients.
2 1. Provides consultation and assistance to staff in developing and implementing best practice in the identification and management of patients with potential or actual alteration in skin integrity.
2 2. Provides guidance to staff in implementation of protocols to identify , control, or eliminate etiologic factors for skin breakdown, including selection of appropriate support surfaces.
2 3. Establishes protocols and guidelines for appropriate and cross-effective use of therapeutic support surfaces.
2 4. Maintains records and data related to work structure, process, and outcome statistics and summarizes and submits.
2 5. Analyzes inventory and recommends appropriate additions and deletions to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness of products used for skin, wound care and ostomy care.
2 6. Promotes the organization to all customers by integrating and communicating the Hospital's mission and values, acting as a loyal, supportive and informed spokesperson for the Hospital.
2 7. Identifies and communicates opportunities for collaboration that result in optimal patient care delivery.
2 8. Supports patient care services leadership in the facilitation of inter-and intra-departmental problem resolution related to practice.
2 9. Promotes, advises and influences policies and procedures that will improve the delivery of patient care.
2 10. Takes responsibility for identifying areas for self-development and actively seeks opportunities and resources to meet developmental objectives.
3 1. Provides appropriate education to patients, caregivers, and staff regarding skin care , wound management and ostomy management.
3 2. Assists staff to maintain current knowledge and competence in the areas of skin and wound care through orientation and regularly scheduled inservice education programs.
3 3. Attends continuing education programs related to wound management.
4 1. Assists staff to maintain current state of the art practice by reviewing and revising policies and procedures to be consistent with national guidelines and other sources of evidence-based literature.
4 2. Conducts prevalence and incidence studies.
4 3. Conducts product evaluations or contributes to research studies related to skin and wound care when indicated and submits reports and recommendations based on results.
5 1. Support unit leadership in ensuring that customer service standards reflecting excellence consistent with Hospital policy are met.
5 2. Models and upholds a customer service focus to all internal and external customers.
5 3. Demonstrates value for all people in the work environment.
5 4. Ensures that confidentiality of patient, staff and management data id appropriately maintained.
6 1. Evaluates patient care for clnical and financial effectiveness , customer satisfaction, and ethical considerations.
6 2. Identifies and analyzes research and trends in practice using data to guide future care delivery.
6 3. Evaluates new therapeutic/preventative interventions that target patient needs not met by current care delivery charges.
6 4. In collaboration with the intersiciplinary team, develops and implements outcome driven, interdisciplinary patient plans of care that reduce critical variance.
7 1. In conjunction with other clinical experts and divisional leaderhsip, designs, develops, and implements patient care delivery methods for a defined patient population. Based on direct involvement in clinical practice and patient care, determines whether variation or less than optimal practice patterns exist and
facilitates the introduction of best practices to improve outcomes.
7 2. Provides clinical consultation regarding patient care practices and advocates for changes in patient care processes and systems to facilitate optimal health care delivery. Formulates recommendation to patient care leadership regarding changes int he delivery of clinical care based on research and policy efforts . Supports managment in their efforts to improve patient outcomes by providing necessary expertise and input.
7 3. Represents the Hospital within the YNHH systems and in the larger external community.
Qualifications
EDUCATION: BSN required; Masters in Nursing preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 2 to 3 years of clinical experience with wound management in an acute care setting. Experience with negative pressure therapy a plus.
SPECIAL SKILLS: Must possess good assessment skills, understanding of factors impacting wound healing outcomes, knowledge of evidence-based strategies and protocols for prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, experience of willingness to learn VAC techniques, and to help manage ostomy and fistula patients to learn self care whenever possible. Must be knowledgeable of performance improvement process, possess excellent customer service, phone, and interpersonal skills.
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION: WOC certification from WOCNCB or evidence of enrollment
INFORMATIONAL
SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMAND:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently stoop , kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds. The specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Incumbents as well as external and internal applicants who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodation as determined on a case by case basis.