Job Description

Reporting to the Director, Professional Practice and Chief Informatics Officer, the Nurse Practitioner, Wound & Ostomy Program will have a key leadership role in the advancement of our new Wound and Ostomy Program, including program development and implementation, providing expert knowledge and consultation to patients and families in collaboration with an interprofessional team. This role includes clinical practice, education, consultation, research and administration and works collaboratively with interprofessional partners and teams. This role also provides direction for quality improvement initiatives to ensure access and efficiency and participates in performance, measurement, evaluation and research as appropriate. The Nurse Practitioner utilizes a comprehensive theoretical knowledge base and an advanced level of clinical competence in caring for patients with wound and ostomy care needs in collaboration with the interprofessional teams. The NP will be expected to provide a comprehensive health assessment and diagnosis of medical problems, develop and implement a plan of care, provide health counseling and emotional support in the areas of illness and injury prevention, complications, and health promotion. Furthermore, the NP will assist the interdisciplinary teams in implementing a plan of care that will enable an overall reduction of length of stay in inpatient units, as well as engage in strategies to prevent or reduce admission/readmission to Hospital.

Responsibilities Include:

Direct Comprehensive Care: Applies a specialized and expanded body of knowledge of the integumentary wound, ostomy and continence systems in the care to the patient experiencing issues in these areas. Provides an advanced assessment and collaborates closely with the Most Responsible Physician (MRP) and other members of the interdisciplinary team and coordinates care involving other healthcare providers, both internal and external to the organization. Furthermore, the NP has a role for advancing a patient's plan of care and working with the interdisciplinary team to improve discharge processes and length of stay. Essential to the role is an understanding and expertise with advanced wound care products; negative pressure wound therapy, therapeutic surface and adjuvant therapies.

Leadership: Supports the development of a culture of prevention of skin breakdown and pressure ulcer development, providing leadership in the development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of quality management programs. Participates and provides leadership in the strategic planning process for the delivery of care. Supports educational initiatives directed at nursing and allied health to promote and provide medical care that meets best practice standards.

Education: Contributes to the development, implementation and evaluation of patient education programs. Identifies and creates a positive learning environment and creates resources, as needed for patients, families and staff. Conducts educational teaching sessions with patients and/or families with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and impact of illness experience on the patient and family. Participates in and advises regarding education of healthcare providers within the organization.

Research: Encourages, supports, and facilitates the development of researchable questions in clinical practice. Utilizes current research in the field of wound and ostomy care to ensure advancements are identified and implemented as appropriate.

Consultation: Provides consultation for clinical practice issues within the NP's area of specialty and scope of practice.