Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) – Wound Care Advanced Practitioner (WCAP)
- NavistaCare
- Hot Springs, AR, United States
- Jan 20, 2026
Job Description
*Job Summary*
The Nursing Home Wound Care Advanced Practitioner (AP) is a highly skilled clinical professional responsible for the assessment, treatment, and management of wounds in residents of a PALTC facility. This AP is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) with specialized training in wound management who:
* Reduce wound-related complications
* Improve quality of care and outcomes
* Improve the healthcare experience for members and families
* Reduce unnecessary/preventable hospitalizations of members
* Decrease unnecessary costs
*Duties*
*1*. Comprehensive Assessment: Perform thorough assessments of residents with existing wounds or at risk for developing wounds, including pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, surgical wounds, and other skin integrity concerns. *2.* Individualized Care Planning: Develop, implement, and periodically revise individualized wound care plans, tailored to each resident’s specific needs, comorbidities, and preferences. *3. *Wound Treatment: Perform advanced wound care procedures, including but not limited to debridement (sharp, enzymatic, autolytic), application of specialized dressings, negative pressure wound therapy, and advanced modalities as indicated. *4.* Collaborative Relationships: Work in close partnership with attending physicians, nursing staff, physical therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare providers to ensure an integrated approach to wound prevention and management. *5. *Prevention Strategies: Develop and implement evidence-based wound prevention protocols, including risk assessment tools (e.g., Braden Scale), support surface recommendations, nutritional interventions, and staff education. *6. *Education and Training: Provide ongoing education and training to nursing home staff on best practices in wound care, infection control, pressure injury prevention, and early identification of skin breakdown. *7.* Documentation: Maintain detailed and timely documentation of wound assessments, interventions, progress, and outcomes in the resident’s medical record, ensuring compliance with regulatory and facility standards. *8.* Quality Improvement: Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities related to wound care, such as monitoring wound prevalence and incidence rates, root cause analysis, and implementing action plans for improvement. *9.* Consultation: Serve as a clinical resource and consultant to staff, residents, and families regarding wound prevention, treatment options, expected outcomes, and prognosis. *10.* Infection Management: Identify and address wound infections promptly, including obtaining cultures, initiating appropriate antimicrobial therapy in accordance with facility protocols and collaborating with infection prevention teams. *11.* Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that wound care practices adhere to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as accreditation requirements and professional standards of practice. *12. *Patient Advocacy: Advocate for residents’ needs and preferences, promoting comfort, dignity, and autonomy in wound care decisions. *13. *Family and Resident Engagement: Educate residents and families about wound care, prevention strategies, and home care needs upon discharge or transition of care. *14. *Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with facility leadership, staff, patients and families
* Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with an interdisciplinary team.
* Strong leadership skills to serve as a medical authority within the facility while fostering collaboration.
*15. Technology Proficiency:* *Experience with EHR systems and electronic documentation processes. * Competency in telemedicine tools and virtual care platforms.
*16. Physical Requirements: * *Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods. * Capability to respond to patient needs quickly, especially in emergency scenarios.
*Experience*
*QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS * DEGREE REQUIRED*: BS-PAS/MPAS/DMSc/MSN-NP/DNP * E*XPERIENCE LEVEL*: 2 years. Long-term care experience highly desirable BOARD CERTIFICATION: *AANP/ANCC/PA-C * *SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION IN WOUND CARE*: (e.g., Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification – WOCN; Certified Wound Specialist – CWS; or similar) strongly preferred.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Flexible spending account
* Health insurance
* Health savings account
* Life insurance
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance
License/Certification:
* APRN/PA (Required)
Work Location: On the road
The Nursing Home Wound Care Advanced Practitioner (AP) is a highly skilled clinical professional responsible for the assessment, treatment, and management of wounds in residents of a PALTC facility. This AP is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) with specialized training in wound management who:
* Reduce wound-related complications
* Improve quality of care and outcomes
* Improve the healthcare experience for members and families
* Reduce unnecessary/preventable hospitalizations of members
* Decrease unnecessary costs
*Duties*
*1*. Comprehensive Assessment: Perform thorough assessments of residents with existing wounds or at risk for developing wounds, including pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, surgical wounds, and other skin integrity concerns. *2.* Individualized Care Planning: Develop, implement, and periodically revise individualized wound care plans, tailored to each resident’s specific needs, comorbidities, and preferences. *3. *Wound Treatment: Perform advanced wound care procedures, including but not limited to debridement (sharp, enzymatic, autolytic), application of specialized dressings, negative pressure wound therapy, and advanced modalities as indicated. *4.* Collaborative Relationships: Work in close partnership with attending physicians, nursing staff, physical therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare providers to ensure an integrated approach to wound prevention and management. *5. *Prevention Strategies: Develop and implement evidence-based wound prevention protocols, including risk assessment tools (e.g., Braden Scale), support surface recommendations, nutritional interventions, and staff education. *6. *Education and Training: Provide ongoing education and training to nursing home staff on best practices in wound care, infection control, pressure injury prevention, and early identification of skin breakdown. *7.* Documentation: Maintain detailed and timely documentation of wound assessments, interventions, progress, and outcomes in the resident’s medical record, ensuring compliance with regulatory and facility standards. *8.* Quality Improvement: Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) activities related to wound care, such as monitoring wound prevalence and incidence rates, root cause analysis, and implementing action plans for improvement. *9.* Consultation: Serve as a clinical resource and consultant to staff, residents, and families regarding wound prevention, treatment options, expected outcomes, and prognosis. *10.* Infection Management: Identify and address wound infections promptly, including obtaining cultures, initiating appropriate antimicrobial therapy in accordance with facility protocols and collaborating with infection prevention teams. *11.* Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that wound care practices adhere to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as accreditation requirements and professional standards of practice. *12. *Patient Advocacy: Advocate for residents’ needs and preferences, promoting comfort, dignity, and autonomy in wound care decisions. *13. *Family and Resident Engagement: Educate residents and families about wound care, prevention strategies, and home care needs upon discharge or transition of care. *14. *Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with facility leadership, staff, patients and families
* Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with an interdisciplinary team.
* Strong leadership skills to serve as a medical authority within the facility while fostering collaboration.
*15. Technology Proficiency:* *Experience with EHR systems and electronic documentation processes. * Competency in telemedicine tools and virtual care platforms.
*16. Physical Requirements: * *Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods. * Capability to respond to patient needs quickly, especially in emergency scenarios.
*Experience*
*QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS * DEGREE REQUIRED*: BS-PAS/MPAS/DMSc/MSN-NP/DNP * E*XPERIENCE LEVEL*: 2 years. Long-term care experience highly desirable BOARD CERTIFICATION: *AANP/ANCC/PA-C * *SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION IN WOUND CARE*: (e.g., Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification – WOCN; Certified Wound Specialist – CWS; or similar) strongly preferred.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Flexible spending account
* Health insurance
* Health savings account
* Life insurance
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance
License/Certification:
* APRN/PA (Required)
Work Location: On the road