A Nurse Practitioner provides primary care and nursing care to patients. Performs physical exams, orders diagnostic tests, and provides medications. Works in a physician's office or other healthcare facility, under the direction of a physician. Performs work similar to that of a physician assistant but has different medical training and degree.
Job Summary The Nursing Home Wound Care Advanced Practitioner (AP) is a highly skilled clinical professional responsible for the assessment, treatment, and management of wounds in residents of a PALTC facility. This AP is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) with specialized training in wound management who: Reduce wound-related complications Improve quality of care and outcomes Improve the healthcare experience for members and families Reduce unnecessary/preventable hospitalizations of members Decrease unnecessary costs Duties 1•.
Comprehensive Assessment:
Perform thorough assessments of residents with existing wounds or at risk for developing wounds, including pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, surgical wounds, and other skin integrity concerns. 2.•
Individualized Care Planning:
Develop, implement, and periodically revise individualized wound care plans, tailored to each resident's specific needs, comorbidities, and preferences. 3.
Wound Treatment:
Perform advanced wound care procedures, including but not limited to debridement (sharp, enzymatic, autolytic), application of specialized dressings, negative pressure wound therapy, and advanced modalities as indicated. 4.
Collaborative Relationships:
Work in close partnership with attending physicians, nursing staff, physical therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare providers to ensure an integrated approach to wound prevention and management. 5.
Prevention Strategies:
Develop and implement evidence-based wound prevention protocols, including risk assessment tools (e.g., Braden Scale), support surface recommendations, nutritional interventions, and staff education. 6.
Education and Training:
Provide ongoing education and training to nursing home staff on best practices in wound care, infection control, pressure injury prevention, and early identification of skin breakdown. 7.
Documentation:
Maintain detailed and timely documentation of wound assessments, interventions, progress, and outcomes in the resident's medical record, ensuring compliance with regulatory and facility standards. 8.
Quality Improvement:
Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities related to wound care, such as monitoring wound prevalence and incidence rates, root cause analysis, and implementing action plans for improvement. 9.
Consultation:
Serve as a clinical resource and consultant to staff, residents, and families regarding wound prevention, treatment options, expected outcomes, and prognosis. 10.
Infection Management:
Identify and address wound infections promptly, including obtaining cultures, initiating appropriate antimicrobial therapy in accordance with facility protocols and collaborating with infection prevention teams. 11.
Regulatory Compliance:
Ensure that wound care practices adhere to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as accreditation requirements and professional standards of practice. 12.
Patient Advocacy:
Advocate for residents' needs and preferences, promoting comfort, dignity, and autonomy in wound care decisions. 13.
Family and Resident Engagement:
Educate residents and families about wound care, prevention strategies, and home care needs upon discharge or transition of care. 14.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with facility leadership, staff, patients and families Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with an interdisciplinary team. Strong leadership skills to serve as a medical authority within the facility while fostering collaboration. 15.
Technology Proficiency:
Experience with EHR systems and electronic documentation processes. Competency in telemedicine tools and virtual care platforms. 16.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods. Capability to respond to patient needs quickly, especially in emergency scenarios. Experience
QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS DEGREE REQUIRED
: BS-PAS/MPAS/DMSc/MSN-NP/DNP
E XPERIENCE LEVEL
: 2 years. Long-term care experience highly desirable
BOARD CERTIFICATION
AANP/ANCC/PA-C
SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION IN WOUND CARE
: (e.g., Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification - WOCN; Certified Wound Specialist - CWS; or similar) strongly preferred.
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
