Overview

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a skilled and dedicated Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Wound Ostomy Department in Kankakee, Illinois. The RN will provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients undergoing various wound ostomy treatments. This role involves assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical and interpersonal skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and a commitment to excellence in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients with ostomies, wounds, and continence needs.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans for patients, focusing on wound healing, ostomy management, and continence care.
• Perform wound debridement, ostomy care, and other specialized procedures as needed.
• Monitor and document patient progress, adjusting care plans as necessary.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care and ensure continuity.
• Patient Education: Educate patients and their families about their medical conditions, treatment options, and post-discharge care. Provide support and resources to help patients manage their health and recovery.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes. Ensure compliance with all regulatory and hospital documentation standards.
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Emergency Response: Respond to medical emergencies with quick and effective intervention, including performing life-saving procedures and stabilizing patients as needed.
• Infection Control: Adhere to infection control protocols and ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and staff. Implement standard precautions and safety measures to prevent the spread of infections.
• Lead the development and implementation of wound and ostomy care protocols across the hospital.
• Provide ongoing education and training to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals on wound care, ostomy management, and continence care.
• Serve as a clinical resource for the healthcare team regarding wound and ostomy care best practices.
• Develop and update educational materials and resources for staff and patients.
• Team member will maintain annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g. DNV CARF and or others)

Non-essential Duties

• Participate in ongoing professional development and training to stay current with best practices and advancements in wound ostomy nursing.
• Assist in the orientation and training of new staff members and students as needed.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives when applicable.
• Assist in maintaining inventory levels of wound and ostomy care supplies.
• Participate in hospital committees and task forces as requested.

Responsibilities

Required Experience

• Minimum of three years of Med-Surg nursing

Preferred Experience

• Two years of experience in wound and ostomy care

Required Licensure/Education

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Illinois
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required

Preferred Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree preferred
• Professional nursing certification in area of specialty preferred.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure:

• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets.
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Diagnostic composite of patients frequent contact with IV devices and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, vomitus, stool) create a high risk. Appropriate usage of needleless IV system, universal precautions and protective equipment should minimize risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Patient diagnostic presentations do pose high risk, however, usage of protective wear and universal precautions reduce risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed to communicate with patients/families, staff/ MDs. Ability to ask for help.
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, ability to read reports, ability to read machines.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood, electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Needed to hear alarms, calls for help, ability to hear patients' verbalizations, ability to listen for lung, bowel and heart sounds.
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100lbs: Not required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment-carry 25-150' - waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25-150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weight over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 15
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 5
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 5

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 15 lbs.
• Normal weight: 5- 10lbs frequently
• Pushing and pulling normal weight: 5-200lbs occasionally.
• Fine Manipulation: Computer keyboard used for order entry &charting; using pens to chart; drawing up meds in syringe and administration; starting IV's; suctioning patients; insert Foleys and N-G tube.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Leg strength Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally - operating machine control utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 6-12
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Dry
• Atmosphere: Odors
• Special Hazards: Chemical -drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy-Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment; mechanical- use of Hoover lift bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.
• Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.

Pay RangeUSD $37.17 - USD $49.30 /Hr