About this position
The Wound Nurse Specialist is a specialized registered nurse who provides care for patients with chronic or complex wounds in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. Their primary goal is to improve the overall quality of life for patients and their families, prevent infection, and when able, promote healing.
What you will do:
- Wound assessment and management: Identifies wound etiology. For pressure injuries: Provides staging, and for all wounds assesses the size, depth, and characteristics of the wound bed and provides appropriate interventions including cleansing, debridement (removal of dead tissue), and determines evidence-based product selection.
- Documentation: Maintains accurate and detailed records of wound assessments, treatments, and patient progress.
- Collaboration: Works as part of a multidisciplinary team, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nursing staff, hospice aides, social workers, and therapists, to ensure comprehensive care and to optimize patient outcomes.
- Patient and family education: Provides guidance and training to patients, families, and other caregivers on proper wound care techniques, infection prevention, and pressure ulcer prevention strategies.
- Staff education: Orients new staff to HVH wound protocols. Updates protocols with existing staff.
- Wound care research and knowledge: Stays updated on the latest wound care research, techniques, products, and technologies
- Emotional support: Provides support to patients and their families as they navigate end-of-life care and the challenges associated with wounds.
- Orders and protocols: Provides recommendations for an evidence-based wound care regimen and enters orders approved by the provider.
- Knowledge and technical skills: Strong understanding of wound healing processes, different wound types (pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, burns, etc.), and various wound care techniques and treatments.
- Communication skills: Able to communicate effectively and compassionately with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
- Patience and flexibility: Adaptability to the needs of each patient and their unique circumstances
- Organizational and time management skills: Manages multiple patient cases and coordinates care efficiently.
- Interdisciplinary teamwork: Able to work collaboratively and effectively with other healthcare professionals
- Participates in policy making regarding wound assessment and treatment.
- Updates wound care guidelines
- Provides guidance on ostomies, fistulas and pouching drainage.
Skills we are looking for:
- Ability to work non-judgmentally with patients/families of any culture, religion, socio-economic background, or lifestyle.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally (in person and by phone) and in writing.
- Capability to work effectively and cooperatively independently and as a team member.
- Skill to prioritize and handle multiple tasks efficiently
- Wound assessment and treatment
- Ostomy assessment and treatment
Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Work in various home environments, nursing homes or hospitals that Hudson Valley Hospice is contracted with.
- Ability to lift at least 25 pounds
- Moderate/High level of possible exposure to infectious agents.
- Moderate amount of travel by car in both Dutchess & Ulster counties
- Moderate to high risk of exposure to unsafe environments.
- Routine duties involve potential for direct exposure to blood or body fluids.
Preferred Education & Experience:
- Graduate of an accredited nursing school.
- Specialized Wound Care Certification required
- Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN), Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON), or Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (WOCN) preferred
- Two years of nursing experience required
- One-year medical-surgery experience preferred
- Valid New York State nursing license.
- Valid New York State driver’s license
Hours: Part Time (24 hours/week) - (3) 8hr shifts/week
Pay: $48-50/hr
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Company Matched Retirement Plan, Mileage Reimbursement, Hospice & Palliative Care Certification and more!
Hudson Valley Hospice is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Requirements