Wound Care/Performance Improvement Nurse

The Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, operated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking an experienced and dynamic Wound Care and Nursing Performance Improvement Registered Nurse III. The position provides clinical expertise and support in the care of patients aged 20 years and older, including individuals with chronic medical conditions and acute exacerbations. The incumbent assesses wound conditions, recommends appropriate treatment interventions in accordance with the hospital’s established Wound Care Guidelines, and ensures timely documentation and follow-up as indicated. As part of the hospital’s nursing performance improvement initiatives, the RN III provides clinical guidance, education, and recommendations to staff regarding wound care practices, fall prevention strategies, and other measures designed to promote patient safety, improve quality of care, and support compliance with established clinical standards. The incumbent must demonstrate flexibility in scheduling and work hours to accommodate departmental needs.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8-4:30p.m., working one weekend per month

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provides clinical leadership, oversight, and direction to nursing staff in wound care, fall prevention, and nursing performance improvement; directly supervises the RN II, Wound Care Nurse, and provides direct wound care to patients.

• Develops, updates, and implements skin and wound care guidelines and the Fall Prevention Program in accordance with national standards and evidence-based practices.

• Assesses patients, recommends appropriate wound treatments in accordance with hospital guidelines, and completes timely, accurate documentation of wound assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge referrals, and follow-up care.

• Participates in nursing report and reviews patient data to evaluate individual needs, strengths, abilities, and potential to support appropriate, individualized care planning.

• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address wound- and fall-related concerns, resolve clinical issues, and implement necessary changes to patient care plans.

• Leads hospital wound and skin care and fall prevention committees, as assigned; conducts wound prevalence surveys, chairs monthly fall prevention meetings, and participates in weekly wound rounds.

• Audits wound care practices and documentation, investigates wound and fall incidents daily, identifies trends, and recommends corrective actions to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.

• Collects, analyzes, and prepares monthly reports on wound and fall data and nursing quality indicators for hospital quality management, nursing quality initiatives, unit-based review, and external benchmarking agencies, as required.

• Researches and evaluates new wound care and fall prevention products, coordinates nursing trials, and presents recommendations to the Product Evaluation Committee for approval.

• Provides education and training to nursing staff on wound care protocols, fall prevention, and performance improvement initiatives, and orients new hospital employees to the Wound Care and Fall Prevention Program.

• Collaborates with the Quality Department, Risk Management, and Infection Prevention and Control to promote best practices, regulatory compliance, and optimal patient outcomes.

• Serves on hospital committees and clinically focused teams, as assigned, and maintains compliance with applicable state and federal laws, including HIPAA requirements for patient privacy and confidentiality.

• Maintains professional licensure and required certification, completes mandatory in-service education, and participates in continuing education, workshops, and seminars to support professional development and remain current with emerging wound care practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrates knowledge of nursing principles, practices, procedures, and techniques, including infection prevention and control, sanitation, sterilization, specimen collection, and the use of diagnostic equipment.

• Applies supervisory principles and practices, including work planning and assignment, resource allocation, employee performance evaluation, staff training, and disciplinary procedures.

• Analyzes clinical and medical data, draws appropriate conclusions, and makes sound recommendations.

• Interprets, applies, and explains applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines governing nursing practice and hospital operations.

• Gathers and evaluates information through observation, interviews, and review of medical records and other documentation.

• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, and provides clear, accurate instructions to staff and patients.

• Maintains patient confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws and HIPAA requirements.

• Engages and motivates patients and staff to participate in nursing performance improvement initiatives and activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of older adults and long-term care patients.

• Applies knowledge of hospital policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Demonstrates familiarity with regulatory and accrediting agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and The Joint Commission.

• Applies principles of restorative and rehabilitative nursing.

• Adheres to hospital safety policies and procedures.

• Demonstrates leadership skills and the ability to assume charge responsibilities.

• Maintains current CPR certification and renews it annually.

License/Certification Requirement: Must possess Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification (WOCN).

About the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital:

Lemuel Shattuck Hospital is a fully Joint Commission accredited teaching facility that provides acute, subacute, and ambulatory care to patients referred by public agencies and private sector providers. Shattuck Hospital’s services help economically and socially disadvantaged patients to get high quality, cost-effective care from a staff that respects their dignity.

Located in the heart of Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, the Shattuck Hospital includes 248 inpatient beds including 95 Psychiatric beds and 29 Correctional Health beds. In addition, the Shattuck has a full outpatient clinic with many specialties that offers treatment to patients of the Department of Mental Health as well as Department of Correction and House of Correction inmates and community patients.

The Shattuck hospital is on the forefront of substance use disorder treatment including a Suboxone clinic serving 200 patients. In addition to direct medical services LSH hosts and supports an array of services located on the campus, serving patients struggling with addictions and homelessness.

Learn more about: what it’s like to work as a DPH nurse

Learn more about Shattuck Hospital: https://www.mass.gov/locations/lemuel-shattuck-hospital

Relocation information: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/dph-renovation-for-shattuck-hospital-replacement-building

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website, http://www.mass.gov

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

The Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, operated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking an experienced and dynamic Wound Care and Nursing Performance Improvement Registered Nurse III. The position provides clinical expertise and support in the care of patients aged 20 years and older, including individuals with chronic medical conditions and acute exacerbations. The incumbent assesses wound conditions, recommends appropriate treatment interventions in accordance with the hospital’s established Wound Care Guidelines, and ensures timely documentation and follow-up as indicated. As part of the hospital’s nursing performance improvement initiatives, the RN III provides clinical guidance, education, and recommendations to staff regarding wound care practices, fall prevention strategies, and other measures designed to promote patient safety, improve quality of care, and support compliance with established clinical standards. The incumbent must demonstrate flexibility in scheduling and work hours to accommodate departmental needs.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8-4:30p.m., working one weekend per month

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a gener