Core Functions Assigns, delegates, and supervises patient care activities. Performs comprehensive wound assessments and delivers appropriate wound care treatments, including specialty dressings. Assists physicians during wound care procedures and anticipates clinical needs.
Administers prescribed PO, IV, and IM medications accurately and documents appropriately. Provides emergency patient care when needed. Educates patients and families about wound care, infection prevention, signs of complications, and ongoing treatment expectations.
Delivers discharge instructions and verifies patient/family understanding. Documents all education using appropriate methods and formats Obtains physician orders prior to patient evaluation and communicates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care. Notifies leadership of pre-certification requirements and changes in patient or wound status that may require referral.
Ensures accurate, timely documentation using approved forms and abbreviations. Maintains familiarity with hospital policies, departmental procedures, and interdepartmental workflows. Follows infection control and safety guidelines, including local fire and safety regulations.
Participates in performance improvement initiatives and assists with data collection and analysis. Conducts chart audits and assists with chart completion upon patient discharge. Keeps required competencies, skills checklists, and continuing education files up to date Ensures patient care and treatment areas are clean, organized, and adequately stocked.
Controls traffic flow in treatment areas to maintain patient safety and privacy. Demonstrates proficiency with wound care equipment. Reports equipment issues promptly.
Follows established procedures for obtaining and accurately charging patient care supplies. Maintains awareness of patient conditions, wound progression, and external factors affecting healing. Provides care tailored to the developmental and physical needs of patients across the lifespan, from pediatric to geriatric populations.
Safety Practices Promotes a culture of patient safety which results in the identification and reduction of unsafe practices. Utilizes Culture of Safety survey responses in improvement efforts. Identifies risks and hazards to patients through various risk assessments, with actions taken to mitigate patient harm.
Improves medication safety practices, including increased reporting of adverse drug events and improved compliance with the medication reconciliation process Decreased, hospital-acquired infections and improved compliance with infection control practices (including hand hygiene) Decreased hospital acquired conditions such as complications associated with ventilator use and pressure ulcers, through improved compliance with patient safety bundles and/or other formal performance improvement programs.
Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Demonstrates understanding of suicide prevention and patient restraints for sitting assignments of 1:1 care, frequent checks and continuous observation of patients. Professional Responsibility Maintains neat, clean, and professional appearance in accordance with dress code standards.
Completes all required annual education and training. Protects patient confidentiality and adheres to all privacy requirements. Reports to work as scheduled, on time, and completes tasks within designated timeframes.
Consistently completes and maintains assigned duties and responsibilities. Wears proper identification while on duty and uses time‑tracking systems correctly. Attends required annual reviews and scheduled department in‑services.
Attends required staff meetings and reviews all monthly meeting minutes. Follows all hospital policies, standards, and confidentiality guidelines. Represents the organization positively and professionally at all times.
Actively participates in performance improvement and quality initiatives. Complies with all organizational ethical and business practice policies. Communicates and upholds the mission, values, ethics, and goals of the facility.
Education Associates (required)