Registered Nurse (RN) Podiatry and Wound Care Clinic

Job DetailsJob Location: Caldwell Medical Associcates - Princeton, KY 42445CALDWELL MEDICAL CENTER JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Registered Nurse (RN) – Podiatry and Wound Care Clinic DEPARTMENT: Podiatry and Wound Care Clinic REPORTS TO: Clinic Manager and/or designated Administrative/Clinical Leader SUPERVISES: None, unless assigned or delegated supervisory responsibilities POSITION SUMMARY Provides safe, competent, and high-quality nursing care to patients receiving podiatry and wound care services in the outpatient clinic setting. Performs comprehensive nursing assessments related to wounds, skin integrity, circulation, infection risk, pain, and other factors affecting wound healing. Works collaboratively with podiatry and wound care providers and other members of the healthcare team to implement individualized plans of care. Assists providers with podiatry and wound care examinations, treatments, procedures, and other clinical services within the RN scope of practice. Provides patient and family education regarding wound care, dressing changes, infection prevention, skin and foot care, treatment plans, and follow-up needs. Ensures appropriate organizational, patient safety, infection prevention, and clinical practices are followed. Promotes good public relations through professional interactions with patients, practitioners, visitors, employees, peers, and the public. Maintains confidentiality of patient information in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws and regulations. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provides direct nursing care to patients receiving podiatry and wound care services in accordance with provider orders, established standards of nursing practice, organizational policies, and the RN scope of practice. Performs and documents nursing assessments, including vital signs, pain assessment, skin condition, wound location, wound measurements, drainage, odor, surrounding tissue, signs and symptoms of infection, and other pertinent clinical findings. Monitors patients for changes in wound condition, healing progress, circulation, infection, pain, and other factors that may affect treatment or patient outcomes and communicates significant findings to the appropriate provider. Performs wound care and dressing changes as ordered and within the RN scope of practice, utilizing appropriate clean or sterile technique. Assists providers with podiatry and wound care examinations, procedures, treatments, and other clinical services as directed. Prepares patients, examination rooms, supplies, instruments, and equipment for scheduled procedures and treatments. Ensures provider orders are carried out accurately and in a timely manner using sound nursing judgment. Administers medications and treatments as ordered and in accordance with established medication administration and patient safety practices. Assesses patients for factors that may interfere with wound healing, including mobility limitations, nutrition concerns, pressure, infection, circulation concerns, diabetes-related complications, and the patient's ability to perform care at home, and communicates findings to the provider. Reinforces provider instructions and educates patients and caregivers regarding wound care, dressing changes, skin and foot care, infection prevention, pressure reduction, medication instructions, signs and symptoms requiring medical attention, and follow-up care. Provides education to patients with diabetes regarding the importance of appropriate foot care, skin inspection, prevention of injury, and timely reporting of changes or concerns as directed by the provider and within the RN scope of practice. Coordinates patient care with providers, other departments, home health agencies, pharmacies, medical equipment suppliers, and other healthcare professionals as appropriate. Assists with referrals, diagnostic testing, laboratory testing, imaging, vascular studies, specialty consultations, and other services ordered by the provider. Reviews available test results and other clinical information and ensures significant findings are communicated to the provider in accordance with established procedures. Documents accurately, completely, and timely in the patient's medical record. Documentation reflects current patient status, wound assessment, treatment provided, patient response, education, provider communication, and follow-up plan. Maintains appropriate infection prevention practices, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials, and cleaning or processing of equipment and instruments according to established procedures. Maintains a clean, safe, organized, and appropriately stocked clinical environment. Monitors wound care, podiatry, and general clinical supplies and communicates supply needs to the appropriate individual. Ensures medications, supplies, and equipment are stored appropriately and routinely monitors applicable expiration dates. Recognizes changes in patient condition and responds appropriately to urgent or emergency situations according to organizational procedures. Maintains current knowledge of emergency procedures and assists in emergency care when required. Communicates with patients by telephone, electronic communication, or in person regarding provider instructions, test results, follow-up care, and other clinical matters within established organizational procedures. Responds appropriately to patient questions and concerns and refers clinical questions outside the RN's scope or authority to the appropriate provider. Maintains effective communication between the clinic, providers, ancillary departments, and other healthcare services to support continuity of care. Interacts with patients, families, providers, coworkers, and others in a positive, professional, respectful, and appropriate manner. Works cooperatively with others and demonstrates respect for the contributions of all members of the healthcare team. Participates in quality improvement, patient safety, infection prevention, and other organizational initiatives as assigned. Assists with orientation and training of new departmental staff as requested and within the employee's area of competency. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement standards, safety standards, environmental standards, and infection prevention requirements. Protects patient confidentiality and maintains appropriate communication practices in accordance with HIPAA and Caldwell Medical Center policies. Maintains compliance with applicable professional standards, organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and standards of practice. Attends required meetings, educational programs, and departmental training. Maintains required licensure, certifications, competencies, and continuing education. Performs other duties as assigned. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS MINIMUM EDUCATION Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program. Current Registered Nurse license to practice in the State of Kentucky or current multistate privilege to practice in Kentucky, as applicable. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE Previous clinical nursing experience appropriate to the responsibilities of the position. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE One or more years of RN experience in wound care, podiatry, outpatient/ambulatory care, medical-surgical nursing, diabetic care, or a related clinical setting preferred. Previous experience performing wound assessments, dressing changes, and patient education preferred. CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE Current Registered Nurse license or privilege to practice in Kentucky. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Wound care certification preferred but not required unless designated by Caldwell Medical Center. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Subject to varying temperatures and environmental conditions normally associated with a medical clinic. Subject to hazardous conditions where there may be risk to health or safety. WORKING CONDITIONS May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Regularly exposed to the potential risk of bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials. May be exposed to wound drainage, blood, bodily fluids, specimens, and patient-related odors. May be exposed to cleaning agents, disinfectants, and other chemicals used within the clinical environment. Subject to "sharps" related injuries. Uses personal protective equipment as required. Has frequent contact with patients and patient families under a variety of circumstances. Subject to varying and occasionally unpredictable patient care situations. May respond to urgent or emergency situations. Subject to frequent interruptions, telephone calls, questions, and requests. Performs standardized and non-standardized duties requiring nursing judgment and initiative. Work requires attention to infection prevention, patient safety, and appropriate clinical technique. REQUIRED PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Eye protection, face protection, gown, lab coat or apron, mask, sterile and non-sterile medical gloves, utility gloves, and other personal protective equipment as indicated by the task and applicable infection prevention requirements. EXPECTATIONS Proficiency in the position should be reached within the orientation and competency period established by the department. Must maintain current RN licensure and continuing education requirements as established by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Must maintain required certifications and competencies. Must be willing to participate in wound care, podiatry, diabetic foot care, infection prevention, and other specialty education as indicated by departmental needs. Must demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills. Demonstrates appropriate problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills. Must possess the knowledge and skills required to provide high-quality nursing care utilizing sound nursing judgment. Must demonstrate the ability to interact professionally and positively with patients, families, practitioners, coworkers, and other personnel. Must demonstrate the ability to work independently within the RN scope of practice while functioning effectively as part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Must demonstrate competency in wound assessment, wound care techniques, infection prevention, patient education, documentation, and other clinical skills required by the position. Must maintain patient confidentiality and demonstrate appropriate handling of protected health information. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Prolonged or frequent standing, walking, and sitting. Assists with positioning and transferring patients as required. Lifts, moves, and carries clinical supplies and equipment. Requires manual dexterity and mobility. Requires reaching with hands and arms, use of hands and fingers to touch and feel, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, and pulling. Must be able to safely assist patients with mobility and positioning needs. Seek assistance when the weight requirement for the performance of a job or task requires greater than 50 pounds of effort/force. LANGUAGE SKILLS/READING SKILLS/HEARING Ability to communicate verbally and be understood by others. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret written clinical information, including patient records, provider orders, laboratory data, policies, procedures, and educational materials. Ability to respond appropriately to questions, concerns, and complaints from patients and others. Ability to effectively present and explain information to patients, families, providers, and other members of the healthcare team. Ability to hear alarms, instructions, telephone conversations, and conversations with patients, providers, and other staff. VISION Far acuity: Ability to see clearly at 20 feet or more. Must be able to visually identify, assess, and complete job-related tasks safely and accurately, with or without reasonable accommodation.   Visual ability must be sufficient to perform wound and skin assessments, identify changes in tissue appearance, read medication and supply labels, operate clinical equipment, and accurately document patient care. SKILLS – ADMINISTRATIVE LISTING Answers and communicates appropriately by telephone. Schedules and coordinates patient-related activities as assigned. Reviews and communicates provider orders. Maintains patient records electronically and, when applicable, in paper format. Documents patient assessments, treatments, education, and communications accurately. Coordinates referrals and follow-up care as required. Utilizes the electronic health record and other applicable information systems. SKILLS – MACHINE/EQUIPMENT LISTING May include, but is not limited to: Computer – desktop, portable, and handheld devices Printers Copy machine Fax machine Telephones – desk and portable Calculators Pulse oximetry devices Thermometers Vital sign machines Blood pressure equipment Fingerstick glucose monitors Vascular Doppler equipment Scales Wound measurement devices and supplies Wound care instruments and supplies Sterile and non-sterile dressing supplies Other podiatry and wound care equipment as approved and utilized by the clinic   QualificationsPOSITION QUALIFICATIONS MINIMUM EDUCATION Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program. Current Registered Nurse license to practice in the State of Kentucky or current multistate privilege to practice in Kentucky, as applicable. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE Previous clinical nursing experience appropriate to the responsibilities of the position. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE One or more years of RN experience in wound care, podiatry, outpatient/ambulatory care, medical-surgical nursing, diabetic care, or a related clinical setting preferred. Previous experience performing wound assessments, dressing changes, and patient education preferred. CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE Current Registered Nurse license or privilege to practice in Kentucky. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Wound care certification preferred but not required unless designated by Caldwell Medical Center.