Nurse Practitioner Inservice Education

Under the direction of the Director of the Education Department, and supervising physician, the Nurse Practitioner and Program Manager for Wound, Skin and Ostomy Care serves as a clinical resource providing expert direction and support for care of patients with selected disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems, such as draining wounds, ostomies, fistulae, dermal ulcers,tubes and incontinence. Responsible for patient care, quality initiatives and compliance. Performs physical, psychosocial and risk assessments in order to collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams. The NP Program Manager is responsible for and functions as a liaison between the physicians, nursing staff, healthcare professionals and patients and families.

• Responsible for improving, monitoring, documenting, reporting and collaborating with leadership and staff concerning the care and support of patients with the conditions/disorders listed in the summary.
• Supervises, teaches, coaches, supports and evaluates patient care personnel as appropriate in collaboration with other members of department leadership teams to achieve optimum patient outcomes and program goals. Communicates effectively with staff and leadership to ensure appropriate outcomes and follow-up.
• Works with unit leadership to hold staff accountable for appropriate risk assessment, implementation of prevention measures, skin/wound assessment and skin/wound management.
• Promotes continuity of care by working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary patient care team, the patient, the patient’s family, and significant other parties as appropriate.
• As directed, evaluates referrals for wound skin and ostomy and provides support as appropriate.
• Collaborates with the department manager for any complex wound or ostomy management problems.
• Serves as a role model and clinical expert for all members of the healthcare team. Promotes the practical use of scientific data and principals. Problem solves to resolve patient care, quality and program issues.
• Assesses patient and family learning needs and barriers to learning to develop a teaching plan for the patient with an ostomy, skin or wound care problem.
• Assists in the provision and development of competency-based education and staff development opportunities for members of the healthcare team. Guides, teaches and supports patient care personnel as appropriate.
• Assists in data collection, analysis and performance improvement activities; may prepare and present reports/presentations as assigned.
• May participate in special projects, committees, professional organizations and problem-solving measures to enhance unit and hospital operations.
• May assist the leadership team in establishing department/service annual goals, strategic plans, and outcome measures as assigned. Establishes and maintains effective interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors and hospital personnel, while maintaining confidentiality of patient information.
• Responsible for patient rounds and to provide patient and family education and care planning.
• Provides patient/family education in preparation for discharge planning. Validates knowledge and understanding of wound care, skin care and ostomy needs prior to discharge.
• Ensures that credentialing needs are met. Adheres to medical staff by-laws
• Serves as a clinical resource and provides consultation to assist staff with providing skin, wound and ostomy care.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

• One (1) year of recent experience as a Nurse Practitioner preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Master’s degree in Nursing or related field required
• Wound Care Certification (WCC)  or Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing (CWON)  is preferred.
• Must be a Nurse Practitioner (NP)  with a current California License. 
• AHA BLS certification required. 
• LA Fire Card required within 90 days of hire.

Founded in 1955, Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a 394-bed, acute care, nonprofit community hospital located in Northridge, California. The hospital offers a full complement of award winning services, including the Leavey Cancer Center, a cardiovascular center, stroke center, the Center for Assault Treatment Services, a pediatric medical center, and the only pediatric trauma center in the San Fernando Valley. As a leading provider of compassionate, high-quality and affordable patient-centered care, we share a rich legacy with Dignity Health, one of the nation’s five largest health care systems. We are part of a 21-state network of nearly 9,000 physicians, 62,000 employees and more than 400 care centers. Visit here  dignityhealth.org/northridgehospital for more information.

One Community. One Mission. One California