Provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a complex wound care issues who require support and treatment through the continuum of care

Undertake comprehensive patient assessment to include physical, psychological, social and spiritual elements of care using best evidence-based practice in wound care

Use the outcomes of patient assessment to develop and implement plans of care/case management in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and the patient, family and/or career as appropriate.

Monitor and evaluate the patient’s response to treatment and amend the plan of care accordingly in conjunction with the MDT and patient, family and/or career as appropriate.

Make alterations in the management of patient’s condition in collaboration with the MDT and the patient in line with agreed pathways and policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPG’s).

Accept appropriate referrals from MDT colleagues

Co-ordinate investigations, treatment therapies and patient follow-up

Communicate with patients, family and /or career as appropriate, to assess patient’s needs and provide relevant support, information, education, advice and counselling as required

Work collaboratively with MDT to provide a seamless service delivery to the patient, family and/or career as appropriate

Indirect Care 

Identify and agree appropriate referral pathways for patients requiring wound care interventions.

Participate in case review with MDT colleagues

 Participate in discharge planning for patients with complex needs in collaboration with MDT.

Take a proactive role in the formulation and provision of evidence based PPPGs relating to Wound Care nursing care

Take a lead role in ensuring the service for patients with Wound Care conditions is in line with best practice guidelines.

Liaise with the other departments on the provision of the service to ensure the highest quality of wound care is provided to patients

Attend multi-disciplinary meetings and ward rounds as required and participate in team discussions regarding treatment needs as appropriate

Demonstrate vision, innovation and flexibility in nursing practice

Assist in the development and regular reviews of Patient Information Leaflets for specific wound care procedures.

Patient/Client Advocate

Develop and support the concept of advocacy, particularly in relation to patient participation in decision making, thereby enabling informed choice of treatment options

Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient, family and/or career

Education & Training: 

Maintain clinical competence in wound management nursing, keeping up to date with relevant research to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Provide the staff nurses with appropriate information and other supportive interventions to increase their knowledge, skill and confidence in managing patient condition.

Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education programmes and resources for the staff, nurses in relation to wound care thus empowering them to self-manage the patient’s condition.

Provide mentorship and preceptorship for nursing colleagues as appropriate.   

Participate in training programmes for nursing, MDT colleagues and key stakeholders as appropriate

Create exchange of learning opportunities within the MDT in relation to evidence based wound care delivery through journal clubs, conferences etc.

Be responsible for addressing own continuing professional development needs.   

Audit & Research:

Establish and maintain a register of patients within the Clinical Nurse Specialist (Wound Care) service.

Maintain a record of clinically relevant data aligned to National Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as directed and advised by the Nursing Services Specialist and Don.

Identify, initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects relevant to the area of practice.

Identify, critically analyze, disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to Wound Care care into practice

Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision

Contribute to service planning and budgetary processes through use of audit data and specialist knowledge

Monitor, access, utilize and disseminate current relevant research to advise and ensure the provision of informed evidence-based practice