The Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse is responsible for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients/families with skin care related issues (ie. ostomies, fistula, skin breakdown, wounds and incontinence).  These patients receive direct care and education that is based on established professional standards and is provided in a safe and therapeutic environment.  This position provides leadership through communication, collaboration and motivation of others.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Clinical Excellence-Wound and Ostomy Care

• Acts as a resource person and consultant for all wound, ostomy and incontinence related issues for healthcare team members, patients/families and outside facilities.
• Initiates and provides on-going assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation for hospitalized patients with skin care issues.
• Collaborates with providers on skin related issues.
• Assumes responsibility for developing a plan of care that is mutually established with the patient and family. Each patient is treated as an individual, with their identified goals and expectations reviewed with each visit. 
• Identifies patient/family teaching needs by direct assessment and observation. Provides education to patients, families, healthcare providers and the community.
• Incorporates evidence based educational theories and adult educational principles.
• Participates in the development of structured patient teaching programs and materials.
• Collaborates with the patient/family to anticipate steps needed to ensure safe transitions in care.
• Administers medications and nursing treatments within scope of practice.
• Incorporates St. Luke’s Comfort/C.A.R.E. Professional Practice Model in their daily nursing care.

Communication

• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, healthcare team members and other customers. Verbal communication is clear and precise.
• EMR documentation is done in accordance with hospital and department policies.
• Multidisciplinary patient charting is completed in real-time to assure that goals of care and patient outcomes are being achieved.
• Hand-offs are done with attention to detail and with safety as a high priority. Hand-offs are utilized to communicate patient treatment and assessment information, patient education needs, goals of care and other quality care measures at each change of caregiver or setting of care. 
• Tools are consistently utilized for hand-offs to assure that critical information is shared and updated with each hand-off.
• Communication with providers occurs during routine rounding and as needed.
• Participates in hospital shared governance infrastructure and performance improvement activities.

Evidence-based Practice

• Complies with changes in clinical practice and standards. Uses WOCN guidelines as first point of reference. 
• Participates in data collection when the opportunity is presented.
• Supports/participates in interpretation of clinical literature and uses to validate and/or change clinical practice.
• Utilizes Advanced Practice Nurses to assist with research process.
• Maintains safety through use of established infection prevention principles, safe patient handling programs, and speak up culture

• Completion of an accredited nursing program
• BSN degree
• Two years of clinical experience
• Must possess a current RN licensure in the State of Iowa or compact state.
• Certification in Wound and Ostomy by the Wound Ostomy Continence Society (WOCN). If not currently certified, must become certified within 1 year of hire.
• Maintain current BLS
• Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of WOCN nursing theory and practice and an expanded knowledge of current clinical and specialized patient care concepts.
• Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English
• Multicultural sensitivity
• Demonstrates proficiency in the manual skills and techniques required to perform basic/advanced nursing procedures in the administration of medication therapy and the operation of specialized equipment
• Ability to complete a basic computer course on the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) through in-hospital training
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.