WOC Nurse Specialist

Lehigh Valley Health Network; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in the region is seeking a qualified nurse to provide and coordinate expert patient care for individuals with ostomies, wounds, and continence disorders. The role requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a WOCN program, along with nursing experience and certifications. Responsibilities include managing patient care autonomously, applying research to practice, and educating patients. Lift and carry requirements are involved, ensuring a physically demanding yet rewarding work environment.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in acute care or requisite nursing experience.
• BLS certification upon hire.
• CWOCN or CWON certification within 1 year.
• RN license in Pennsylvania upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and indirect patient care autonomously.
• Utilize evidence-based practice in wound care.
• Evaluate and recommend support surfaces for patients.
• Be a resource for complex wound management.
• Manage care for patients requiring ostomies.

Skills

Patient care

Research application

Wound management

Education skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in accredited WOCN program

Job description

Join a team that delivers excellence. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is home to nearly 23,000 colleagues who make up our talented, vibrant and diverse workforce. We’re a nationally recognized, forward‑thinking organization with a focus on teamwork, compassion, and technology, and we offer plenty of opportunity to do great work.

Summary

Provides, coordinates, and ensures expert patient care utilizing the nursing process to patients across the lifespan with ostomies, fistulas, acute or chronic wounds and pressure injuries, and continence disorders. Provides direct care, as well as education, to patients, significant others, and peers. Acts as a resource to nurses, physicians, and other health care team members in the management of patients with, but not limited to, ostomies, wounds, incontinence, as well as patients at risk for skin integrity impairment.

Job Duties

• Functions autonomously in the provision of direct and indirect patient care and other related activities for designated groups of patients.
• Participates in and/or applies research, utilizes current national guidelines to promote evidence‑based practice in the care of patients with wounds, ostomies, and/or continence disorders.
• Participates in the evaluation, selection, and recommendation of support surfaces, therapy beds, specialty beds, and equipment for pressure redistribution and the care of patients requiring advanced care for altered skin integrity and other complex medical issues.
• Serves as a specialized resource in the prevention, treatment, and care of patients with simple and complex wounds and/or pressure ulcers.
• Utilizes specialty expertise in the management and care of patients with or requiring ostomies and/or having continence‑related problems and issues.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in an accredited WOCN program.
• 2 years of experience in an acute care or requisite nursing experience.
• BLS – Basic Life Support (AHA) – upon hire.
• CWOCN – Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board) within 1 year or
• CWON – Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board) within 1 year.
• RN – Licensed Registered Nurse/PA, State of Pennsylvania – upon hire.

Physical Demands

Lift and carry 40‑50 lbs. Examples: push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking; patient transporters may walk 8‑10 miles per shift. Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting, and performing CPR.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with, and where applicable, in addition to federal, state and local employment regulations, Lehigh Valley Health Network will provide employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law. All personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy.