Covenant HealthCare

Summary:
The WOC Nurse provides acute and rehabilitative care for patients with select disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems. This person will provide direct patient care and education to persons with abdominal stomas, wounds, skin breakdown, wound vacs, fistulas, and pressure ulcers. The WOC Nurse demonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are at all times consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.

Responsibilities:
Contributes to organization success targets for net operating margin.
Participates in cost containment efforts through efficient use of supplies, services, time management and recommends opportunities for cost savings related to wound and ostomy care.
Models Covenant’s Mission, Vision and Values of keeping our commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.
Demonstrates excellent customer service.
Communicates with patients and families in a professional, therapeutic, and courteous manner.
Has clinical and social contact with patients, including all age groups, and is able to appropriately assess, care for and treat them according to the guidelines as defined by Covenant HealthCare.
Serves as a primary patient educator to all patients undergoing ostomy surgery.
Assesses patient and significant others pre and post operatively in order to promote physical and psychosocial adaptation.
Educates patient and family regarding ostomy care in order to facilitate complete rehabilitation through independence and self-care whenever possible.
Develops discharge plans and referrals if needed based on continuing assessment of patient status.
Provides pre-operative marking of stoma site and teaching when possible, reflecting through assessment of patient’s anatomy, physical capabilities and life style.
Assesses current physical and psychosocial needs.
Develops plan of care to coordinate patient’s ostomy care routines with current diagnosis and treatment.
Presents any new products on care concepts as applicable to patients.
Assists patients in problem solving with ostomy management as related to hospitalization and current state of health.
Develops a plan of care relative to the size and location of the wound and the volume and character of drainage including chooses proper supplies and equipment.
Provides education to staff relevant to wound management.
Develops plan of care for skin alternative after assessing the causative factor.
Assesses patient’s response to treatment.
Evaluates ostomy and skin care products and supplies on a continuing basis ensuring supplies are readily available 24 hour per day. Participates in product research programs and serves on Product Standardization Committee.
Documents all patient care observations and interventions in the electronic record accurately, clearly, in a timely manner following all established policies.
Maintains accurate records and statistics. Submits monthly reports to director and provides patient education files.
Other duties as assigned.