DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES

Address:
Arizona State Veterans' Home - Phoenix
 4141 North South Herrera Way
Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: Up to 37.57/Hour (DOE) 

Grade: N1

Closing Date: May 26, 2024

Are you a dedicated Wound Care RN? Are you looking for a rewarding career? Arizona State Veterans' Home - Phoenix seeks a skilled and compassionate Wound Care Nurse to join our in enhancing veteran care.

Arizona State Veterans' Home - Phoenix seeks a skilled and compassionate Wound Care Nurse to join our healthcare team. This specialized nursing role is crucial for managing and treating complex wound and skin integrity issues in the geriatric veteran population. Suppose you are passionate about providing high-level wound care and improving outcomes for our veterans. In that case, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact.

As a Wound Care Nurse, you will coordinate comprehensive wound assessments and care plans, implement treatments, and evaluate outcomes across the facility. You will also serve as an educational resource for patients, families, and staff, providing training and updates on best wound management, prevention, and care practices.

Your Impact:

• Wound Management: Conduct detailed wound assessments and reassessments, develop and revise care plans based on patient response, and implement effective wound management strategies.
• Educational Leadership: Provide training and guidance on wound care, ostomy care, and incontinence management to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with physicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare providers to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care, enhancing outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• Policy Development: Participate in developing and implementing facility policies and procedures related to wound care and skin integrity.
• Quality Improvement: Actively participate in the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, utilizing the Arizona Management System (AMS) to promote continuous improvement and best practices in wound care.

Why Join Us?

• Mission-Driven Work: Directly contribute to the health and well-being of veterans by providing top-tier wound care and management.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth and advancement in a supportive environment that values education and improvement.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits and the satisfaction of knowing your work significantly improves veterans' quality of life.

As a Wound Care Nurse you will:

• Perform wound assessments, reassessments and management for all patients and per policies and procedures; and develops skin care programs to prevent skin breakdown of residents.
• Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to manage residents with draining wounds, fistulae and/or tubes; wound prevention, wound care, ostomy care and incontinence.
• Revise plan of care as indicated by the resident's response to treatment and evaluate overall plan for effectiveness.
• Adequately assesses and reassesses pain; utilizes appropriate pain management techniques; and educates the residents and family regarding pain management.
• Complete the initial admission nursing assessment tool on newly admitted and readmitted Veterans/Members.
• Assist with the development of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments, ongoing quarterly reviews and care plans (including accident/incident intervention).
• Serve as a resource to nursing and other facility staff; provides in-services on wound prevention, wound care, ostomy care and Incontinence for the nursing staff as necessary.
• Conduct and participates in in-service training and staff development programs for regularly employed staff.
• Incorporate culture change in the form of Veteran/Member-centered care in the performance of job duties.
• Communicate appropriately and clearly to nursing staff and physicians; and consults other healthcare professionals as appropriate to provide interdisciplinary approach to the resident's needs.
• Ensure that documentation meets current standards and practices.
• Assist as needed with direct care for the completion of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, personal hygiene and mobility.
• Attend training and continuing education classes in the areas of wound prevention, wound management and ostomies; and stays current with changes, new advances/treatment in wound care.
• Actively involved in AMS processes such Huddle Boards, Problem Solving, Job Breakdown Sheets, Success Tracking and Standardized Work.
• Participate fully in the QAPI process, our Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement program mandate by CMS which incorporates AMS.
  

Knowledge of:

• Gerontological/geriatric nursing theory and practices
• Residents' condition and changing medical/ physical/psychological care needs
• Effects of the aging process
• Knowledge of the wound, ostomy and/or continence care specially in accordance with professional standards of practice
• Thorough knowledge of staging system of wounds
• Knowledgeable of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and clinical condition
• Advanced knowledge of sterile dressing technique and wound management product use
• Federal, state and agency laws, rules and regulations governing general professional nursing practices and the security and control of medical
  supplies and medications and dispensing thereof

Skill in:

• Wound care and management skills
• Technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills relevant to area in order to effectively communicate and work well with providers, staff, residents, family members, and support staff in a dynamic and fast paced practice while willing to work under pressure
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Computer skills, including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Google
• Writing/documentation skills to generate weekly skin reports

Ability to:

• Ability to teach and share knowledge with a multidisciplinary team involved in Skin Integrity and Wound Care, including wound staging and documentation
• Develop and participate in quality improvement programs in the areas of skin Integrity and wound care
• Interpret data about the resident’s status in order to identify specific needs and provide care needed
• Ability to prioritize work with minimal supervision, in order to independently carry out the duties of the position
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
  

• 2+ years SNF/LTC experience preferred
• One or more years of Skilled Nursing Facility or Long-Term Care Experience preferred

• Current Negative TB skin test (Mantoux skin test) within the last twelve months or a written statement from a physician, physician’s assistant or a registered nurse practitioner indicating freedom from Tuberculosis, if in the past has had a positive skin test or Tuberculosis
• Must be able to obtain and retain a fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• Current or temporary license to practice as a RN nurse in the State of Arizona
• Current CPR card that was obtained by physical assessment
  

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Referral Incentives available for qualifying positions
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
  

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment
  

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Human Resources at recruiting@azdvs.gov and 602.781.7032 for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.