Wound Ostomy Nurse Clinician-Full-time Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Wound/Ostomy Nurse Clinician (WONC) reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The WONC works within an interprofessional environment that requires exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, clinical, leadership and support services.  This role requires the use of nursing skills to perform patient assessments and implement nursing interventions; the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving patient care issues; and coordinate patient education for the population this role serves.

The WONC works collaboratively with the clinical care team to provide specialized patient care while utilizing critical thinking, leveraging therapeutic communication, and building interpersonal relationships. This role strives to improve team effectiveness and system processes to improve patient outcomes across the continuum of care.

The WONC participates in decision-making, teaching, mentoring, and collaboration with the interprofessional team to advance the patient’s plan of care and achieve exceptional outcomes. The WONC remains committed to wound and ostomy care from prevention practices to intervention. The WONC contributes to the infrastructure of the Wound/Ostomy program.  

Responsibilities:

• Provide evidence-based wound/ostomy care for patients
• Conduct wound assessments and provide guidance regarding etiology and pressure injury staging
• Support the patient care team in wound-related prevention and treatment options
• Conduct ostomy markings and assessments for new and established ostomies; provide post-operative care, teaching, and direction for follow-up
• Participate in prevalence survey and ongoing surveillance of pressure injuries
• Identify trends in nursing practice and establish plan with local leadership team to support quality patient care with pressure injury prevention
• Collect and analyze pressure injury data, identify expected outcomes, and provide input on the development and implementation of an individualized plan of care
• Coordinate care delivery and evaluate progress toward attainment of outcomes
• Perform a comprehensive assessment of patient needs utilizing the nursing process when appropriate and based on findings, seek solutions and offer recommendations to the interprofessional team
• Identify and define abnormalities detected in assessments and procedures, and take appropriate remedial action.
• Collaborate with clinical and support services and outside agencies or facilities in order to coordinate appropriate patient care
• Triage incoming telephone calls using clinical assessment skills and service standards
• Serve as a resource for staff and physicians for problem solving and decision-making. Maintain a consistent alertness to patient care needs and take a proactive approach to address/resolve issues.
• Make recommendations regarding new policies and procedures designed to improve the patient experience. Ensure that new policies and procedures are implemented in a timely manner.
• Assist with the initiation and coordination of patient education
• Provide teaching to staff on both a formal and informal basis. Participate in community outreach education, patient support groups or specialty-related educational programs offered to hospital and community nurses.
• Develop and implement innovations in patient and family centered care that fosters quality, safety and effectiveness and serve as a model of care.

Required:

• Graduate of an accredited school/college of nursing
• Baccalaureate degree in Nursing or higher
• Current State of Illinois, Registered Professional Nurse license
• Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR through American Heart Association.
• 2 years of experience in ambulatory care and/or inpatient care
• Wound and ostomy training through a WOCN Society accredited program with certification on both scopes through the WOCN Certification Board. (must be current or enrolled upon hire and completed within 1 year)
• Experience in specialty clinical area.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, management, staff and other customers.
• Customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving customer issues.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment, delays or unexpected events.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and monitors own work for accuracy.

Preferred:

• Proficiency in EPIC.
• Master’s degree in Nursing.

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.