Wound Care Nurse - RN

General Purpose

The Wound Care Nurse is a healthcare professional specializing in the assessment, treatment, prevention, and management of acute, chronic, surgical, and pressure-related wounds. This role plays a vital part in promoting healing, preventing infection, reducing complications, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.

The Wound Care Nurse collaborates closely with physicians, nursing staff, rehabilitation professionals, dietitians, residents, families, and interdisciplinary care teams to develop and implement evidence-based wound care interventions and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.

Responsibilities

Wound Assessment & Care Planning

• Perform comprehensive wound assessments to evaluate wound etiology, stage, size, drainage, tissue condition, risk factors, and healing potential.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized wound care treatment plans based on clinical findings and physician orders.
• Evaluate residents for risks associated with skin breakdown, pressure injuries, and delayed wound healing.
• Monitor wound healing progress and modify treatment plans as clinically indicated.
• Coordinate preventive measures to minimize skin breakdown and promote optimal skin integrity.

Clinical Treatment & Interventions

• Clean, dress, and manage wounds using evidence-based practices and appropriate sterile or clean techniques.
• Perform wound care procedures, including debridement when within scope of practice and competency requirements.
• Apply advanced wound care products, dressings, negative pressure wound therapy, and other specialty treatments as appropriate.
• Monitor residents for signs and symptoms of infection, complications, or treatment concerns and initiate appropriate interventions.
• Collaborate with physicians and advanced practice providers regarding treatment recommendations and changes in condition.
• Assist with management of surgical wounds, pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, vascular wounds, traumatic wounds, and other complex skin conditions.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation of wound assessments, treatment plans, interventions, measurements, photographs, and outcomes.
• Ensure documentation supports clinical decision-making, regulatory compliance, reimbursement requirements, and quality outcomes.
• Maintain compliance with CMS, Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA, state regulations, and facility policies.
• Participate in audits, surveys, quality reviews, and regulatory inspections related to wound care services.
• Track and report wound care quality metrics, infection rates, and healing outcomes.

Resident & Family Education

• Educate residents and families regarding wound prevention, treatment plans, infection prevention, nutrition, and skin care management.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to residents and caregivers throughout the healing process.
• Promote resident participation in treatment plans and encourage adherence to wound care recommendations.
• Answer questions and address concerns regarding wound care treatments and expected outcomes.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborate with physicians, nurse practitioners, nursing staff, rehabilitation personnel, dietitians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to optimize resident outcomes.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan meetings, wound rounds, risk management activities, and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives.
• Provide wound care expertise and recommendations to clinical staff and facility leadership.
• Assist in developing and implementing facility-wide skin integrity and wound prevention programs.

Education, Leadership & Resource Management

• Serve as a clinical resource for wound care best practices, regulatory requirements, and skin management programs.
• Provide education, coaching, and mentoring to nursing staff regarding wound prevention, assessment, treatment, and documentation.
• Remain current with advancements in wound care treatment modalities, products, evidence-based practices, and regulatory changes.
• Manage wound care supplies, inventory, and equipment to ensure appropriate availability and cost-effective utilization.
• Participate in continuing education and professional development activities related to wound care practice.

Qualifications

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification required.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment required.
• Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN), Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (WOCN), or equivalent wound care certification preferred or required based on organizational needs.
• Experience in wound care nursing, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospital, or related healthcare settings preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of wound care treatments, skin integrity management, pressure injury prevention, infection prevention, and wound healing principles.
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to perform wound care procedures, including debridement, within scope of practice and competency standards.
• Proficiency in wound assessment, clinical documentation, photography protocols, and electronic medical record systems.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, leadership, and educational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization abilities.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and resident-centered care.
• Must be available to participate in on-call responsibilities and provide clinical leadership, guidance, and support during after-hours, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations as required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, transfer, or assist with moving residents and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to assess wounds, evaluate resident conditions, review documentation, and communicate effectively.
• Manual dexterity required to perform wound assessments, dressing changes, treatments, and operation of medical equipment.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively during emergencies and urgent clinical situations.
• Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail while managing multiple residents and wound care priorities.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
• Direct or indirect exposure to residents with acute and chronic medical conditions, infectious diseases, and communicable illnesses.
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and strict adherence to infection prevention and control protocols is required.
• Work is performed in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long-term care, post-acute care, and healthcare environments.
• Frequent interaction with residents, families, physicians, nursing personnel, vendors, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Fast-paced clinical environment requiring sound judgment, adaptability, and effective prioritization of resident care needs.
• Requires professionalism, confidentiality, teamwork, and commitment to high-quality resident care and regulatory compliance.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.