Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN

Northern Light Home Care and Hospice

Department: Home Health - Waterville

Position is located: Northern Light Home Care and Hospice Waterville

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Summary :

The Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN is a fully competent expert practitioner of nursing. The incumbent is responsible for the practice of nursing according to the Rules and Regulations defined in the State of Maine Nurse Practice Act, and Northern Light Health Standards of Care/Practice, policies and procedures. The Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN is responsible for the delivery of patient care to assigned patients and for the supervision of other qualified staff to whom the Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN has delegated patient care in the exercise of his/her independent judgment with accountability if such care is not rendered correctly or appropriately by the nurse or by those whom he/she directs and supervises. The Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN plans and evaluates the nursing care for patients and families and exercises independent judgment in implementing the care him/herself or assigning the care to other qualified staff. The Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN addresses physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs of the patient, and coordinates the plan of care with other healthcare professionals. The Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN uses current nursing research to implement and modify personal clinical practice and advocates within the agency to recommend changes to policies and procedures. Acts as an educator and consultant to internal clinical colleagues and their patients and external customers, including but not limited to wound care clinics, physician offices, and vendors. The Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN collaborates with, and responsibly directs and supervises, other members of the patient care team, including RNs, LPNs, and Therapists. The Wound Ostomy Specialist/RN performs duties and tasks in accordance with performance standards established for the job.

Responsibilities:

• Patient Safety - Promotes a safe and therapeutic environment by assisting with the planning and implementation of agency policies/procedures and national safety goals and proactively identifies workarounds that have a potential impact on patient safety. Recognized by peers as a resource in location, operation, care and troubleshooting of agency equipment independently.
• Clinical Assessments - Performs in-depth, discriminating assessments utilizing advanced knowledge and skills. Anticipates and detects subtle shifts in patient status and/or needs often before the presence of objective measurable signs. Proactively responds and collaborates with providers. Demonstrates the ability to effectively handle actual or potential emergency situations calmly and directs others in such situations; is a “go to” person for difficult and emergency situations.
• Caring & Code of Conduct - Demonstrates the principle of “nursing presence” in all patient encounters. Approaches each patient as a unique human being to maximize patients’ involvement incorporating patients’ strengths to promote positive outcomes. Treats patients with courtesy and respect.
• Critical Thinking - Utilizes critical thinking skills to assess each patient's care for missed opportunities. Assists others in developing critical thinking skills for complex problem resolution. Analyzes evidence based alternative methods to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Documentation - Documentation upholds the standard of practice reflecting adherence to agency, regulatory and legal requirements. Recognized as a documentation systems expert.
• Population Specific Competency - Completes population-specific mandatory education competencies as defined by the agency specific scope of service. Actively researches and implements population specific multidisciplinary care plans with patient and family involvement. Assists in development of population specific standardized care plans. Recognized as a department or agency resource on issues of cultural diversity and population specific care.
• Evidenced Based Practice & Research - Practice is consistent with Northern Light Health policy and procedures. Incorporates evidence and research to policy change and development. Identifies opportunities to enhance clinical practice through evidence-based research and collaborates with interdisciplinary colleagues as needed. Active in education of evidence-based practice changes.
• Leadership and Professional Conduct - Mentors others to develop appropriate time management skills. Meets the expectations for punctuality and attendance. Assists with the coordination of ongoing staffing needs, while demonstrating personal scheduling flexibility to support the needs of patient care areas. Contributes to a healthy work environment by holding all members of the healthcare team accountable for effective and professional communications. Takes leadership in identifying and actively resolving interdisciplinary conflict.
• Collaboration and Teamwork - Coordinates multidisciplinary plan of care while proactively anticipating potential patient care needs. Serves as an interdepartmental resource for the coordination of internal and external resources to meet patient care needs. Reassess, reprioritize, and coordinate the needs of the department through collaboration with all members of the healthcare team. Contributes to a healthy work environment by modeling professional behaviors and addressing conflict with the right person, at the right time, in the right location. Identifies unprofessional behaviors and intervenes appropriately to facilitate positive conflict resolution. Recognized as an interdepartmental resource in the care of complex patients / family interactions. Resolves gaps within multidisciplinary care delivery. Recognized as a positive, collaborative resource among colleagues, who is solution focused.
• Resource Management – Acts as a resource and role model for effective resource management.
• Professional Development - Takes responsibility for meeting education and mandatory programs, by completing clinical evidence-based competencies (CBO) and department specific competencies. Required to maintain competencies identified in the PACE Program for an RN IV. Serves as a role model for colleagues in the promotion and advancement of professional growth. Takes leadership role to achieve at least one department, Professional Practice, organizational or interdisciplinary goal. Recommends/facilitates practice change based on evidence-based literature. Nationally certified in area of practice.
• Performance Improvement - Recognized as a resource to staff regarding department performance improvement priorities and nurse sensitive outcomes. Participates in data collection, data analysis and implementation of performance improvement priorities.
• Productivity - Provides service and produces work at or above expected levels of quality and consistent with agency defined quantitative standards.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Other Information :

• Current license to drive in the state of Maine, with reliable transportation and agency required auto liability insurance. Must be able to travel within assigned region, or statewide, depending on the position.
• BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required to be obtained prior to independent visits.
• Certification as a CWOCN by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB).

Competencies and Skills

• 2 years of relative work experience required.• Two years acute care nursing experience.
• Achieves Results: Sets high standards for their own outcomes and seizes opportunities to engage others towards objectives. Consistently moves forward with direct actions in order to attain or exceed objectives. Manages their own time effectively to accomplish assigned tasks. Successfully prioritizes multiple projects and duties as needed.
• Basic Life Support
• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Catheterization
• Electronic medical record software.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
• Develops Self and Others:Takes responsibility for engaging in professional self-development activities and programs. Strives to gain insight into their own values, strengths and weaknesses, interests and ambitions and takes action in order to enhance competencies and skills when possible. As a leader, encourages and guides employees towards growth opportunities to enhance performance and help them reach goals. Reviews and analyzes employees' strengths and weaknesses to distinguish their talents and development needs, and to ensure they are enhanced appropriately.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Influences and Inspires: Builds enthusiasm and commitment among others to move in a desired direction and models it personally. Creates a compelling vision of success that motivates workplace initiative and energizes others to follow. Provides direction and guidance to encourage cooperation between team members in order to attain an objective. Has the ability to appropriately influence others' actions and decisions with and without express authority.
• Injection Administartion
• IV Placement
• Ability to understand the language used to precisely describe the human body including its components, processes, conditions affecting it, and procedures performed upon it.
• Word processing, spreadsheets, data entry, database experience and other computer related skills.
• MS Teams
• Obtain Vital Signs
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.
• Promotes Health and Safety: Promotes a healthy and safe environment for patients, employees and visitors. Advocates and models healthy physical and mental health behaviors even in challenging circumstances. Sets high quality standards and strives for continuous improvement and quality assurance by reporting and encouraging others to report near misses and safety issues.
• Provides Patient-Centered Care: Demonstrates understanding of patient care quality and service as organizational priority. Proactively supports change to improve patient experience and results. Exhibits the ability and willingness to find out what the patient wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organizational and outside resources into account. Cooperates, collaborates, communicates, and integrates care within and between teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable.
• Public Speaking
• Resolves Conflict: Promptly acts to find alternatives/solutions when team members disagree. Addresses issues in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner. Handles conflicting interests diplomatically and helps to solve them. Transforms difficult situations into teachable moments using respect and accountability .
• Serves Others: Strives to understand, meet and exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers which may include the people and communities in our service areas. Develops and maintains relationships, alliances and coalitions within and outside the organization and leverages them in order to obtain information, support, and promote cooperation and collaboration.
• Specimen Collection
• Sterile Gloving Technique
• Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.
• Wound Care
• Zoom

Credentials

• Required Registered Nurse

Education

• Required Bachelor's Degree

Required Experience

• 2 year/years of Clinical Experience

Working Conditions

• Work beyond the regularly scheduled hours.
• Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
• Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
• Need to drive to perform responsible duties.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.
• Extend body and limbs to reach items.
• Prolonged periods of kneeling.
• Alternate shift schedules (day, evening, nights, weekends).
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Prolonged periods of walking.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.
• Lifting, moving and loading 30 to 50 pounds.
• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.