Last updated on 6/19/24 | First published on 6/17/24 | Literature review current through Oct. 2024
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Authors:
Elaine Horibe Song MD, PhD, MBA,
Tiffany Hamm BSN, RN, CWS, ACHRN, UHMSADS,
more...
Coauthor(s)
Elaine Horibe Song, MD, PhD, MBACo-Founder and Editor, Wound Reference, Inc;
Professor (Affiliate), Division of Plastic Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo;
Chair, Association for the Advancement of Wound Care;
Google Scholar Profile
Disclosures: Nothing to disclose
Tiffany Hamm, BSN, RN, CWS, ACHRN, UHMSADS
Chief Nursing Officer, Wound Reference, IncDisclosures: Nothing to disclose
Editors
INTRODUCTION
This topic provides a sample job description for the role of Advanced Practice Provider - Wound Care in the United States. It serves as a starting point for organizations to tailor according to their specific needs and care settings.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Advanced Practice Provider - Wound Care
Employee:
Date:
Reports to: Medical Director
Status: [ ] Exempt [ ] Non-Exempt
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING
Consistent with the hospital’s credentialing policy, the Advanced Practice Provider (NPP)—Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Physician Assistant (PA)—must meet the following criteria:
- Licensure:
- Valid state licensure as a Registered Nurse and an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or Physician Assistant.
- Certification as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist by an approved certifying body.
- Educational Background:
- Advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) prepared as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Physician Assistant (PA).
- Prescriptive Authority:
- State licensure for prescriptive authority.
- Current, or eligibility for, a DEA license in the state of practice.
- Certifications:
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
- Wound care certification (CWS, CWCN, CWOCN preferred, as those are accredited programs; WCC at minimum, as it currently not an accredited program), or eligibility to obtain certification from an accredited program.
- Experience and Skills:
- Clinical experience in wound care is preferred.
- Proficiency in wound debridement.
- Experience with current wound care treatment options and ostomy care.
- Written and verbal communication skills.
- Computer proficiency.
- Regulatory Knowledge:
- Understanding of the codes and regulations governing the operation of a wound care program.
- Professional Involvement:
- Participation in a professional organization.
- Active involvement in education and leadership activities.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Job Responsibilities:
The Advanced Practice Provider (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Clinical Nurse Specialist or Physician Assistant) acting within their professional boundaries, will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care. The authority, responsibility, and accountability of the Advanced Practice Provider are as follows:
- Clinical Responsibilities:
- Manage patients referred to the Wound and Ostomy Center for evaluation and treatment of non-healing ulcers and ostomy care, including patient education, diagnostic testing, review of diagnostic results, collaboration with the Medical Director and other specialists, facilitation of appropriate referrals, and coordination and clinical follow-up.
- Deliver a high standard of patient care using advanced clinical skills and a broad and in-depth theoretical knowledge base.
- Manage a clinical caseload, addressing the needs of patients in a primary care setting.
- Prescribe appropriate treatments in collaboration with nursing staff and the Medical Director.
- Assume responsibility for the supervision and coordination of patient care in the wound and ostomy program.
- Develop and enhance nursing services offered by the practice.
- Provide clinical leadership within the practice.
- Educational Responsibilities:
- Teach patients new information and skills related to their care.
- Maintain professional competencies through ongoing education.
- Support unit education through activities such as precepting, conducting in-services, and assisting in organizational educational programs.
- Communication Responsibilities:
- Ensure effective communication with patients, families, care team members, and physicians regarding patient progress, plan of care, and response to treatment.
- Staff Development Responsibilities:
- Participate in the orientation of new employees.
- Oversee care provided by clinical staff on the patient care team.
- Work in partnership with team members to provide high-quality care.
- Quality and Improvement Responsibilities:
- Implement care plans and clinical pathways to ensure progression toward quality outcomes.
- Participate in developing and monitoring action plans to ensure performance improvement and regulatory compliance.
- Strive to perform tasks correctly the first time, using quality tools and techniques as appropriate.
- Demonstrate flexibility and resilience in response to change.
- Collaboration and Teamwork Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with physicians and team members regarding changes in patient conditions and revise care plans based on team input.
- Support the roles of all co-workers and act as a resource for the interdisciplinary team regarding coordination of care, pathways, and discharge planning.
- Maintain effective relationships with primary and consulting physicians.
- Participate actively as a team member on both departmental and organizational levels, fostering collaboration and recognizing the efforts and successes of others.
- Leadership and Organizational Engagement:
- Model behaviors that support the Mission Statement, Service Standards, and Values of the wound care program.
- Use effective interpersonal skills to develop positive working relationships.
- Participate in educational opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Contribute to organizational and departmental goals.
APPROVAL PROCESS
Program Director: Date:
Clinical Coordinator: Date:
Policy Effective Date:
Reviewed Date
Revised Date:
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NOTE: This is a controlled document. This document is not a substitute for proper training, experience, and exercising of professional judgment. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, neither the authors nor the Wound Reference, Inc. give any guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained in them nor accept any liability, with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omissions in the contents of the work.