RN - Infusion & WCC - FT

Job Title: Outpatient Infusion and Wound Care

Department: Nursing

Reports to: Acute Care Nursing Supervisor/Chief Nursing Officer

Position Summary

The Outpatient Infusion and Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing safe, competent, and compassionate nursing care to patients receiving outpatient infusion therapies and wound care services. This position provides direct patient care through assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation of individualized treatment plans in collaboration with physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, and other members of the healthcare team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Outpatient Infusion and Vascular Access
   • Assess patients prior to initiating infusion therapy, including review of current orders, allergies, relevant medical history, vital signs, and clinical status.
   • Initiate, maintain, and evaluate peripheral intravenous access and other vascular access devices within the RN's scope of practice and demonstrated competency.
   • Select appropriate vascular access devices based on prescribed therapy, anticipated duration, patient condition, and facility policy.
   • Administer prescribed intravenous medications, antibiotics, fluids, blood products, biologic therapies, and other infusion treatments in accordance with provider orders and established clinical guidelines.
   • Monitor patients throughout infusion treatments for therapeutic response, complications, and adverse reactions, including allergic reactions, extravasation, infiltration, phlebitis, and infection.
   • Recognize and respond appropriately to infusion-related complications and medical emergencies.
   • Monitor vascular access sites and perform dressing changes, site care, and catheter maintenance according to facility policy and current evidence-based practices.
   • Document vascular access insertion, including:
   • Obtain blood specimens when indicated and appropriate at the time of vascular access insertion.
   • Maintain and operate infusion pumps and related equipment safely, ensuring equipment is functioning properly.
   • Verify provider orders, medication dosages, infusion rates, compatibility, and administration instructions. Seek clarification when orders are incomplete or unclear.
   • Maintain appropriate emergency supplies and equipment necessary for outpatient infusion services.
   • Provide patient and caregiver education regarding prescribed treatments, potential side effects, signs and symptoms of complications, and when to seek medical attention.
   • Coordinate infusion appointments, treatment schedules, and follow-up care with providers and other departments.
2. Wound Care
   • Perform comprehensive wound assessments, including wound location, measurements, tissue characteristics, drainage, odor, surrounding skin condition, and signs or symptoms of infection.
   • Assess and document wound healing progress and patient response to treatment.
   • Implement prescribed wound care treatment plans in accordance with provider orders, facility policies, and current evidence-based guidelines.
   • Perform wound cleansing, dressing changes, and application of prescribed topical treatments and wound care products.
   • Provide care for acute and chronic wounds, surgical wounds, pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, and other wounds within the nurse's training and competency.
   • Recognize and promptly report changes in wound condition, delayed healing, infection, or other complications to the treating provider.
   • Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, dietary services, home health, and other healthcare professionals to promote optimal wound healing.
   • Monitor and reinforce appropriate pressure injury prevention, offloading, positioning, skin protection, and nutritional interventions.
   • Educate patients and caregivers regarding wound care techniques, dressing management, infection prevention, and signs and symptoms requiring medical attention.
   • Evaluate the patient's ability to perform wound care independently and identify additional resources or support needed after discharge.
   • Maintain appropriate wound care supplies and equipment and monitor inventory to ensure availability for scheduled and unscheduled treatments.
   • Coordinate follow-up appointments and communicate wound status and treatment progress to the ordering provider.
3. General Nursing Responsibilities:
   • Provide individualized, patient-centered care in a professional, respectful, and compassionate manner.
   • Ensure all services are provided in accordance with Kansas Nurse Practice Act requirements, applicable federal and state regulations, professional standards, and hospital policies.
   • Maintain patient confidentiality and protect patient information in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
   • Maintain a safe, clean, and organized patient care environment.
   • Identify, correct, and/or report safety concerns, equipment malfunctions, and environmental hazards.
   • Communicate effectively with patients, families, providers, and other healthcare team members to promote continuity and quality of care.
   • Demonstrate appropriate customer service and maintain a caring, professional, and service-oriented approach.
   • Participate in departmental and organizational quality improvement initiatives.
   • Assist with the development, review, and implementation of policies, procedures, and clinical protocols related to infusion and wound care services.
   • Maintain competency in assigned clinical responsibilities and participate in required education and training.
   • Attend and participate in staff meetings as required, with an expectation of attending at least 50% when scheduled.
   • Complete mandatory in-services, annual competencies, and required certifications within established timeframes.
   • Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of nursing practice.

Qualifications

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

1. Required: Current license to practice in the state of Kansas as a Registered Nurse.
   • BLS, ACLS, certification upon hire, or by the end of the 90-day orientation.
   • PALS, NRP certification upon hire, or by the end of 6-month hire.
   • 6 months of acute care medical surgical nursing experience.
   • Willing to received wound care certification training
2. Preferred: Prior IV therapy nursing experience.

Desired Abilities, Skill and Knowledge:

• Excellent oral comprehension and expression

• Excellent written comprehension and expression
• Ability to manage a complex work environment related to changing patient needs, fluctuation in patient census, and working with patients and their families who have acute, chronic and complex disease processes and those who are dying.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent time management skills and be a self-motivator.
• Good computer skills
• Pleasant, service-oriented personality who is a ready team player and interacts well with diverse populations.

Physical Requirements:

Physical Activity:

• Walking, sitting, standing and reaching at shoulder height, above shoulder height, and below shoulder height.
• Climbing, pulling or pushing over 50 pounds, lifting over 50 pounds or carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Crawling or kneeling
• Bending/stooping/crouching
• Twisting/turning
• Repetitive movement

Physical Exposure:

• Lighting: Bright and dim environments
• Infectious diseases
• Noise

Acceptable Minimal Physical Requirements:

• Vision: Good
• Color Vision: Normal
• Hearing: Normal
• Manual dexterity: Good
• Talking/speech: Good