Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care Nurses – Locum at Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY
Reporting to Manager – Surgical services, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering specialized assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients with acute, chronic, or complex wounds, as well as those living with ostomies or fistulas. The nurse will ensure evidence-based wound management, promote patient comfort and healing, provide education to patients, families, and staff, and support multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct comprehensive wound assessments and provide evidence-based management for acute, chronic, and complex wounds.
• Apply current wound-care principles, including accurate wound staging and appropriate treatment selection.
• Develop and implement skincare and pressure injury prevention strategies.
• Review and adjust care plans based on patient response and treatment outcomes.
• Perform pain assessment and reassessment, initiate analgesia as per protocol, and educate patients and families on pain management.
• Provide pre- and post-operative assessment and education for patients undergoing ostomy-related procedures.
• Administer medications safely in accordance with patient age, clinical condition, and established guidelines.
• Serve as a clinical resource to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare staff, including delivery of in-service education on wound, ostomy, and continence care.
• Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and coordinate care to meet patient needs.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of assessments, interventions, and patient interactions.
• Identify patient and family education needs and deliver appropriate health education.
• Recognize clinical deterioration, initiate Basic Life Support when required, and promptly report incidents or unusual findings.
• Ensure a safe care environment through strict adherence to infection prevention, control practices, and patient safety policies.
• Stay current with advancements in wound care through continuous professional development, product evaluation, and participation in relevant professional activities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Diploma in KRCHN or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a recognized institution.
• Certificate in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing (CWOCN) or equivalent (preferred).
• At least two (2) years’ experience in an acute care setting.
• Valid practicing license with the Nursing Council of Kenya.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Demonstrated evidence-based knowledge of current medical-surgical nursing practices.
• Proven leadership and people-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, administrative, and customer-care skills