Registered Nurse (RN) - Wound Care
John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital
Indio, CA
Sign-On Bonus

Shift: Days

Hours:0700-1930

Job Type: Full Time

**Up to $7,500.00 Sign on Bonus for Qualified Candidates**

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Clinical Manager, the Registered Nurse / RN communicates and collaborates closely with physicians and other members of the health care team to provide consistent quality care for patients with wounds.  Working with a high degree of autonomy, the RN accepts responsibility and accountability for assigned patients as a case manager to plan, implement and evaluate the care for all chronic wound patients.  The Registered Nurse / RN works within the framework of the State Nurse Practice Act and follows all Paradigm (PMM), and Hospital policies and procedures.  Registered Nurse / RN complies with Hospital and nursing philosophy and standards while performing job duties and responsibilities and demonstrates competence in key job areas.

Direct Patient Care Services - The Registered Nurse / RN will provide direct patient care according to the policies, procedures and Clinical Pathways developed for the Program.  The Registered Nurse / RN will collaborate with the Physician to continuously evaluate and revise care plans as needed and will document all assessments and interventions. 

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Clinical Pathways for wound care while exercising clinical competence in nursing skills.           
• Integrates and documents diagnostic data into health assessment notifying physicians of results in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrates competence in patient and family education on common topics including but not limited to wound care, dressing applications, compression therapy, diabetic foot care, venous disease, wound off loading and underlying disease processes.
• Verbalizes knowledge of National Patient Safety Goals and complies with all risk assessment and NPSG standards. 
• Demonstrates competence in all treatments and interventions according to the State Nurse Practice Act and the Program policies, procedures and Clinical Pathways. 

Nursing Process - The Registered Nurse / RN will assume responsibility for an assigned group of patients and be accountable for an assessment of the patient's basic human needs, enabling team of providers to make appropriate decisions to develop, implement and evaluate a plan for care.  This assessment will include the following factors:

         a)      Patient Acuity Assessment

         b)     Biophysical needs                                 e)   Self-care needs

         c)      Psychosocial needs                              f)   Educational needs

         d)      Environmental/safety needs                g)  Discharge planning needs

• Prepares and implements a plan for care using accepted Nursing Diagnoses and Care Plans in collaboration with the Wound Care Physician, the patient and significant others, updating this plan of care to reflect changes in patient's condition, response to therapies or education.
• Utilizes available resources effectively by appropriate consultation and collaboration to maximize effectiveness of care.
• Implements and evaluates plans for care reflecting appropriate nursing and medical diagnoses, goal development, outcome criteria and target dates while assuming patient advocate role protecting all patient rights.
• Demonstrates competent utilization of interview, examination and observation techniques with patients and significant others, reviewing and completing patient history, nursing assessment and evaluation on all new patients.

Professional Development - The RN will be professional and competent as a care provider, a leader of personnel and a collaborator with other professionals.

• Attends all mandatory education programs and some additional continuing professional education functions to enhance skills and judgment while communicating to Nurse Manager or Program Director areas of educational or procedural deficiency.
• Handles daily routine problems following proper channels, recognizing complex issues that need referral with recommendations to management.
• Prioritizes work load to consistently meet deadlines and keep documentation current while delegating tasks to appropriate skill levels providing needed supervision for quality follow‑through.

General Work Practice/Communications - The RN will demonstrate awareness of his/her unique position in wound care and responsibilities as a professional nurse and RN case manager through accurate, clear, concise and timely written and oral communications.

• Supports and encourages a harmonious work relationship assuming additional responsibility, assisting others without being asked, serving as a role model to others, and demonstrating flexibility with staffing needs.
• Consistently initiates and actively participates in change to improve work environment, work process or patient care while actively supporting and participating in the Quality/Performance/Improvement processes.
• Documents accurately, legibly and promptly patient assessment, care and response to treatment, education, changes in patient's status, supply utilization and charges on approved forms, using approved abbreviations.
• Facilitates discussion between patient and physicians, responding accurately and in a timely manner to patient questions by knowledge of answer or with referral source and follow through.
• Keeps patient actively informed of treatment and anticipated responses while ensuring all necessary informed consents are signed prior to providing non‑emergency care.
• Assumes active role in wound care by attendance at staff meetings, in-services and other wound care related activities.  Reviews minutes when unable to attend.

Health and Safety - The RN will organize and prioritize work to provide health information, discharge planning and patient care in a safe environment to maximize health in the continuum of care and protect the patient.

• Utilizes safe procedures in infection control, exposure control, equipment, supplies, facility, emergency, safety, fire and disaster plans, adhering to guidelines or standards of practice in the community, the hospital and all current wound care policies and procedures.
• Adheres to guidelines or standards of practice of the ANA, community, the hospital and all current wound care policies and procedures.

Demonstrates consistent use of OSHA Blood borne Pathogens Standard and Standard/Universal Precautions and proper body mechanics.

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Required Qualification:

• Registered nurse with current state license in good standing
• Experience in ambulatory care setting highly desirable
• BLS certified
• Able to complete a two-person lift, wheelchair to exam table
• Nationally recognized wound care certification required

Preferred Qualifications

Two (2) years' experience in acute care nursing for Registered Nurse / RN

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