Are you a passionate and experienced nurse looking to specialize in wound, ostomy, and continence care? MedStar Washington Hospital Center is seeking a dedicated Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse Specialist to join our team and make a difference in patient outcomes while supporting professional development and innovation.
In this role, you will:
·Provide expert consultation and direct patient care for wound, ostomy, and continence management.
·Develop and implement patient care programs to enhance outcomes.
·Serve as an educator, assisting patients, families, and healthcare professionals in gaining knowledge and skills.
·Act as a leader in improving clinical practice and participating in research and evidence-based practice initiatives.
·Collaborate with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote high-quality care aligned with MWHC’s mission and vision.
Primary Responsibilities
·Perform comprehensive assessments and develop care plans for complex wound, ostomy, and continence cases.
·Educate patients and their families about surgical procedures and post-operative care.
·Lead staff education and competency development programs.
·Collaborate on product and equipment evaluations to improve cost-effective patient care.
·Participate in hospital and system-wide committees to drive performance improvement.
What We’re Looking For
Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing required. Successful completion of a Wound Ostomy Continence (WOC) Nursing Education Program or equivalent within 12 months of employment is mandatory.
Experience: At least 3-4 years of progressively responsible experience, with 1-2 years of clinical experience required. Teaching or professional development experience is preferred.
Certifications: Active RN licensure in DC, CPR certification within 90 days, and WOCNCB certification preferred (required within one year).
Key Skills and Attributes
·Expertise in complex wound management, ostomy care, and incontinence solutions.
·Strong leadership and communication skills to drive team collaboration.
·Commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.
Why Join Us?
At MedStar Washington Hospital Center, we are committed to fostering growth, innovation, and a collaborative work environment. You’ll have the opportunity to impact lives, advance your expertise, and be part of a team that values excellence and compassion.
Patient Care & Consultation: Under general direction has authority, responsibility, and accountability for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of wound, ostomy, and/or continence care throughout the hospital.Patient Care & Consultation: Provides consultation and/or assistance to associates and providers in the management of patients including assessment, planning interventions, and evaluation of plans of care for based on scope of practice and training: Potential or actual alteration in skin integrity / complex wound management. Comprehensive management of negative pressure wound therapy. Ostomy or continent diversion surgery teaching, marking, and postoperative care. Established ostomy or continence diversion management. Percutaneous tube management. Draining wounds and fistula management. Urinary and/or fecal incontinence.Educator: Assists patients, their significant others, and family in gaining information related to wound, ostomy and continence issues, but not limitEducator: Engages in external and internal, formal and informal teaching to nursing and other health disciplines as required. Serves as a resource to nursing associates, nursing students, and other health care personnel in gaining knowledge and skills related to clinical practice. Acts as a preceptor for affiliated students. Collaborates in planning educational activities in accordance with American Nurse's Credentialing Center standards as appropriate.Leadership & Administrative: Facilitates team building within department of nursing and organization. Assists DON associates to identify, initiate and adapt to change.Leadership & Administrative: Works as an autonomous practitioner within MWHC to include maintenance of departmental statistics, establishing protocols and guidelines for appropriate, cost-effective utilization of care, participation in unit, department, and hospital wide committees, and other activities to ensure high quality care.Leadership & Administrative: EnsuresLeadership & Administrative: Maintains knowledge of current trends and development in the field of nursing practice, clinical instruction, and nursing education through a variety of professional activities including, but not limited to, reading the appropriate literature and attending related seminars and conferences.
