RN, Wound, Ostomy and Continence

Oregon Health & Science University; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance ($50K)

Pension plans

Vacation 192–288 hours/year

Holiday hours 64 per year

Sick leave 96 hours/year

Transit discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Oregon Health & Science University seeks a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (WOCN) to provide expert assessment and management of complex wound, ostomy, and continence care. You will support decision-making, educate staff and patients, and drive evidence-based practice across care settings, aligning with established nursing standards.

The role emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, product evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives to reduce variation and improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of specialized WOC nursing experience (wound, ostomy, fistula and continence care).
• Current Oregon RN license in good standing.
• Nursing degree from an accredited program; associates nurses must pursue BSN within 3 years and complete within 5 years.
• BLS certification required; new hires will complete during orientation.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation for complex wound, ostomy, and continence cases across care settings.
• Support clinical decision-making and collaborate with nursing and interprofessional teams.
• Implement and sustain evidence-based practices; analyze data to drive quality improvement initiatives.
• Educate staff and patients, including pre- and post-operative ostomy care; contribute to policies and guidelines.

Skills

WOCN experience

Ostomy care

Wound care

Education

RN license (Oregon)

Nursing degree

BSN plan within 3–5 years

BLS (AHA)

Job description

Department Overview

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (WOCN) functions as a clinical expert and consultant, providing specialized assessment, prevention, and management of patients with complex wound, ostomy, and continence care needs across care settings. Practice is aligned with Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (WOCN) standards and evidence-based guidelines.

This position also comes with great benefits! Some highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care plans. Covered at 100% of the cost for full-time employees and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
• Vacation - 192 to 288 hours per year depending on length of service, prorated for part-time
• Holidays - up to 64 holiday hours per calendar year (employees accrue .0308 holiday hours for each hour paid – included in vacation accruals)
• Sick Leave - 96 hours per year, prorated for part-time
• Substantial public transportation discounts (Tri-met and C-Tran)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including extensive wellness resources

Function/Duties of Position

The WOCN provides consultation for complex cases, including advanced wound management, ostomy care, fistula management, and peristomal and continence-related skin complications. This role supports clinical decision-making and collaborates with nursing and interprofessional teams to optimize patient outcomes and reduce practice variation.

Key responsibilities include implementing and sustaining evidence-based practices; analyzing clinical data to identify trends and drive quality improvement initiatives, including pressure injury prevention and skin integrity outcomes; and supporting appropriate product selection and use.

The WOCN provides staff education, competency support, and patient and family education, including pre- and post-operative ostomy care. The role contributes to the development and evaluation of policies, standards of care, and clinical guidelines, and participates in product evaluation to ensure safe, effective, and cost-conscious care delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum one (1) year of specialized experience in wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nursing, including management of complex wounds, fistulas, and ostomy-related complications
• Current unencumbered Oregon State RN License at time of hire
• Nursing degree from an accredited program
• Associates Degree Nurses required to enroll in BSN program within 3 years of hire and complete within 5 years of hire
• BLS from AHA required. New hires will be enrolled and required to complete during orientation.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accomodation

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN®) certification OR obtained within 18 months of hire and maintained thereafter.
• Demonstrated experience providing consultative support and advancing practice in WOC care, including complex case management, pressure injury prevention, and evidence-based product selection

Additional Details

Length of Orientation – Experienced Nurse

• External candidates: OHSU & Nursing New Employee Orientation (NEO) for about a week.
• Either Transition to Practice (TTP) Program Specialty Fellowship/Fellowship Learning Pathway or Orientation experience fo r 6-16 weeks depend ing on the care area. An employment service agreement may apply.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center.

In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome.

OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact [e-mail]