About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution.  AccessHope, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s specialized cancer expertise.

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s "Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California, Arizona, Illinois and Georgia. 

Job Description:

**This position is FT, Mon-Fri, 5-8s or possibility of 4-10s**

The Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse (WOCN) will be responsible for hands-on patient assessment, planning, and intervention, as well as the education of both patient and family. The self motivated WOCN needs to have excellent organizational and communication skills and be able to take the lead, manage patient case load, confer with healthcare professionals, and develop ostomy & skin care and continence protocols.  The WOCN will be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of wound (acute and chronic), ostomy, and continence care for patients. In addition, the WOCN will function as a consultant for patients with draining wounds, fistulas, pressure sores, skin problems, and incontinence. Recommendations and a treatment plan will be individualized for all patients including in-patients and out-patients, pre-operative and post operative patients as physician consultations. The WOCN will also develop nursing staff skills in ostomy, wound, and skin care for optimal patient care.  This position integrates education, research, management, leadership and consultation into clinical practice to enhance quality and continuity of patient care.  Established nursing objectives, standards, policies, and procedures will be followed in administering nursing care. The WOCN is accountable for practicing within the defined scope of practice for the Registered Nurse and is committed to providing safe, quality ostomy, wound, and skin care nursing care.

Assessment:

• Provides consultation to all departments for complex wound, ostomy and incontinence patients according to Wound Care Nurse standards.

• Collects patient data and completes required forms with appropriate responses according to patients according to Wound Care Nurse standards;

• Identifies patient's problems/needs and sets priorities with the development of an individualized plan of care

• Identifies problems requiring further referral and/or follow-up; reviews and records latest diagnostic results; performs nursing assessment using critical thinking skills.

• Assess and determine the site for ostomy placement prior to surgery as ordered by the physician

• Assess patients with Xerosis and rashes as consulted by physician.

Education:

• Educate the patient and caregivers about the prescribed therapy. The education of the patient or caregiver and assessment of the patient’s or caregiver’s comprehension are documented.

• Provides basic wound care training and orientation to all new nursing staff; provides ongoing in-services and training related to wound care, atomies and incontinence

• Active participation in wound care related continuing education programs. Continuing education is essential to sustain and advance nursing and is required of all nurses. Knowledge obtained from these programs should be shared with colleagues in collaborating disciplines in order to improve care. The Wound Care  Nurse shall be responsible for his or her own personal and professional growth and development by maintaining knowledge and expertise in nursing practice.

Planning Care:

• Develops a plan of care based on nursing process and which incorporates the plans of other disciplines and continuing care needs; includes the patient/family in developing or revising the plan of care; makes referrals to multidisciplinary support services. Makes recommendations to the physician for changes to wound care orders, and provides evidence based research support as needed.

Implementing/Managing Care:

• Assist patient in choosing the appropriate products, i.e., ostomy, peg, pej supplies

• Care provided conforms to accepted practice standards; provides treatments/procedures and other care as prescribed and according to patient care standards; demonstrates understanding of age-related characteristics and needs of patients served; explains nursing procedures; provides discharge teaching; identifies emergency situations and independently initiates advanced therapy; acts as an advocate and coordinator of patient care with other health care personnel and evaluates patient care measures instituted; understands and demonstrates respect for patient rights and utilizes established mechanisms for management of ethical issues in patient care.Adherence to Wound Care Nurse standards of practice. The standards of practice establish a framework for monitoring care given and products used.

Evaluation:

• Records patient care delivered as planned and any variation, with appropriate rationale; makes and records observations related to impending or associated problems; implements nursing measures related to impending or associated problems. Develops and implements tools to ensure effectiveness of wound care program on ongoing basis, to include chart review and monitoring of Outcome Based Quality Improvement ("OBQI") and Outcome Based Quality Management ("OBQM") data.

Leadership:

• Establish standards of care and clinical competencies to meet patient needs, and training programs to ensure clinical expertise.

• Development, coordination and monitoring of wound care program, and monitors and works to improve clinical outcomes

• Develops and implements wound care program to include patient care protocols, documentation tools, wound care formulary and Wound Care Nurse referral criteria.

• Establishes policies and procedures in quality, cost-efficient and effective wound care for all clinical staff.

• Works with vendors to maintain cost-effective wound care formulary.

• Demonstrates active participation in QI processes: Responsible for performance improvement as it relates to wound care nursing. Documentation of pertinent statistics relative to wound care therapy should be maintained.

Education/Experience Level

• Graduate of an accredited program of nursing; Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is required, MSN preferred

• Minimum two years previous experience in oncology and/or medical-surgical units

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state

• Graduate from an accredited Wound, Ostomy, and Continence program. WC certification is required; WOCN certification is strongly preferred..

• Current CPR certification

• Oncology Nursing Society’s (ONS) Chemotherapy Certified preferred.

• Experience in multi-disciplinary approach to patient care

• Experience in infusion therapy-related skills (peripheral and central lines)

• Membership and active involvement in the Oncology Nursing Society

• Membership and active involvement in the WOCN Society

• Membership and active involvement in the Advanced Wound Care Association

Pay Range

Placement within the identified pay range is based on individual and market factors including, but not limited to, experience, education, credentials (including licenses and certifications), geographic location, market competition, skill set (including market availability of required skills), assigned/anticipated job tasks, and level of responsibility.  These factors are considered without regard to an individual’s status as a member of any protect group pursuant to federal, state, and/or local law.

City of Hope’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We believe diversity, equity and inclusion is key in serving our mission to provide compassionate patient care, drive innovative discovery, and advance vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes in all of our communities.  Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures we bring the full range of skills, perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and experiences to our work -- and that our teams align with the people we serve in order to build trust and understanding.  We are dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity - in ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives; this is reflected in our work and represented in our people.

Visit:  Jobs.cancercenter.com to begin your journey.