Our Wound, Ostomy, Continence (WOC) care RNs (referred to as Wound Care Specialists) provide expertise in health care services for prevention, health maintenance, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitative nursing care. They are a clinical resource and consultant for the acute and rehabilitative care of patients with selected disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems.

WOC nursing is an area of specialty practice within the framework of nursing that strives to advance the health care and quality of life of all affected individuals. The WOC Nurse completes continuing education and research to provide the basis for current, comprehensive nursing practice for patients with wounds, ostomies, and incontinence.

By a process of accreditation, the WOC Nurse promotes high standards of education and requires a minimum baccalaureate degree as the entry level for Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Education Programs (WOCNEPs) and attains certification through the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Certification Board (WOCNCB).

Specialty practice areas can include:

Acute and Chronic Wounds

Ostomies

Percutaneous Tubes

Continence Disorders

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday daylight hours

Rotating weekends required

Responsibilities:

Delivers holistic, patient-centered care using the nursing process and Relationship Based Care

Develops, communicates, and documents individualized plans of care with patients and care teams

Applies strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, and communication skills

Provides specialized WOC care, including stoma site marking and post-discharge follow-up

Ensures evidence-based practice aligned with WOCN/NPUAP and organizational quality goals

Serves as a clinical expert, educator, and preceptor; supports staff development and ongoing learning

Participates in quality improvement, shared governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration

Promotes a positive work environment through teamwork, leadership, and professional accountability

BSN required

Certificate of attendance of a WOCN board certified WOCNEP preferred

Minimum 3 years of nursing experience, including 1 year experience in wound or ostomy care

Completion of 1 contribution as set forth through UPMC's My Nursing Career Ladder.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: Current Pennsylvania licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse license or eligible for State Board Licensure. UPMC accepted national Wound and Ostomy certification required. Certification in wound and ostomy from the WOCN preferred CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire Special Skills and Abilities Required Exemplary clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical and problem solving abilities required Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physician, non-physician providers. Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment and handle multiple and changing priorities.

Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Registered Nurse (RN)

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*Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran