The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy® provides certification to various disciplines in healthcare.
The scope of practice for the Wound Care Certified (WCC®) health care professional is performed in accordance with legislation code and scope of practice as determined by each respective professional state regulatory board along with prospective employer mandated guidelines.
The scope of practice established by the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy provides each certified health care provider with an understanding of their role and responsibilities as a member of the interdisciplinary wound care team. The WCC provides direct hands-on and/or consultative skin and wound management in all health care settings. As with any specialty, certification does not supersede state practice acts nor does it permit a clinician to practice beyond their individual knowledge or expertise.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN):
Role: The APRN works independently or in collaboration with a physician (according to state practice acts and facility/agency policies) to lead the interprofessional wound care team to plan and provide care for the patient at risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure, and facility or agency-based credentialing and privileging requirements to prescribe medications, order tests and treatments, and make necessary referrals.
b. Independently or in collaboration with the physician comprehensively assesses and establishes wound diagnosis, prognosis, and wound care treatment.
c. As a leader, provides oversight, assistance and guidance to other members of the interdisciplinary wound care team to establish and provide a comprehensive approach to wound management that includes all disciplines and promotes optimum outcomes.
d. Provides bedside treatments to include conservative sharp debridement, when indicated and permitted by state practice acts and facility policy.
e. Independently, or in collaboration with other interdisciplinary wound care team members, develops and implements wound prevention, skin management, and wound treatment programs and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
f. Collaborates with other wound care professionals to promote research and assess findings to establish updated, relevant approaches to improve wound prevention and wound care practices.
g. Collaborates with other wound care team members to promote the facility or agency quality improvement program.
Role: The APRN works independently or in collaboration with a physician (according to state practice acts and facility/agency policies) to lead the interprofessional wound care team to plan and provide care for the patient at risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure, and facility or agency-based credentialing and privileging requirements to prescribe medications, order tests and treatments, and make necessary referrals.
b. Independently or in collaboration with the physician comprehensively assesses and establishes wound diagnosis, prognosis, and wound care treatment.
c. As a leader, provides oversight, assistance and guidance to other members of the interdisciplinary wound care team to establish and provide a comprehensive approach to wound management that includes all disciplines and promotes optimum outcomes.
d. Provides bedside treatments to include conservative sharp debridement, when indicated and permitted by state practice acts and facility policy.
e. Independently, or in collaboration with other interdisciplinary wound care team members, develops and implements wound prevention, skin management, and wound treatment programs and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
f. Collaborates with other wound care professionals to promote research and assess findings to establish updated, relevant approaches to improve wound prevention and wound care practices.
g. Collaborates with other wound care team members to promote the facility or agency quality improvement program.
Registered Nurse (RN):
Role: The RN plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
b. Develops and implements wound prevention, skin management, and wound treatment programs and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
c. In conjunction with prescribing providers orders (physician, APRN, physician assistant), provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management. Performs comprehensive assessments and reassessments to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective use of wound management products and resources. Hands-on care may include conservative sharp debridement/chemical cauterization with a provider order, per facility guidelines and if allowed according to individual state practice act.
d. Delegates appropriate wound prevention and wound care actions to LPN/LVNs and unlicensed assistive personnel (e.g. health technicians, nursing assistants).
e. As an interdisciplinary wound care team member, collaborates to establish individualized, comprehensive care plans that promote wound prevention and healing.
f. Establishes, re-evaluates and revises facility policies, procedures, and guidelines governing wound care, based on needs, evidenced-based trends, and industry changes.
g. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the provider or supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
h. Provides and reinforces education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff regarding preventative measures, interventions, and individualized patient treatment plans.
i. As a patient advocate, promotes facility/agency-based quality improvement that addresses wound prevention and the specialized complex needs of the wound care patient.
Role: The RN plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
b. Develops and implements wound prevention, skin management, and wound treatment programs and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
c. In conjunction with prescribing providers orders (physician, APRN, physician assistant), provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management. Performs comprehensive assessments and reassessments to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective use of wound management products and resources. Hands-on care may include conservative sharp debridement/chemical cauterization with a provider order, per facility guidelines and if allowed according to individual state practice act.
d. Delegates appropriate wound prevention and wound care actions to LPN/LVNs and unlicensed assistive personnel (e.g. health technicians, nursing assistants).
e. As an interdisciplinary wound care team member, collaborates to establish individualized, comprehensive care plans that promote wound prevention and healing.
f. Establishes, re-evaluates and revises facility policies, procedures, and guidelines governing wound care, based on needs, evidenced-based trends, and industry changes.
g. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the provider or supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
h. Provides and reinforces education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff regarding preventative measures, interventions, and individualized patient treatment plans.
i. As a patient advocate, promotes facility/agency-based quality improvement that addresses wound prevention and the specialized complex needs of the wound care patient.
Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN):
Role: Under the supervision, delegation, and guidance of the registered nurse or prescribing provider (e.g. physician, APRN, or physician’s assistant), the LPN/LVN provides the prescribed care to the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
b. As an interdisciplinary wound care team member, provides input for care plan consideration
that promotes wound prevention and healing.
c. Implements preventative care, monitors skin status, and performs wound treatments per orders in the individualized patient’s treatment plan.
d. Provides and reinforces education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff that is consistent with the established care plan for preventative measures, interventions, and individualized patient treatments.
e. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the registered nurse or supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
f. Contributes to the facility or agency quality improvement program, as assigned.
Role: Under the supervision, delegation, and guidance of the registered nurse or prescribing provider (e.g. physician, APRN, or physician’s assistant), the LPN/LVN provides the prescribed care to the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
b. As an interdisciplinary wound care team member, provides input for care plan consideration
that promotes wound prevention and healing.
c. Implements preventative care, monitors skin status, and performs wound treatments per orders in the individualized patient’s treatment plan.
d. Provides and reinforces education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff that is consistent with the established care plan for preventative measures, interventions, and individualized patient treatments.
e. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the registered nurse or supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
f. Contributes to the facility or agency quality improvement program, as assigned.
Physical Therapist (PT)/Occupational Therapist (OT):
Role: The PT and OT plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Working under the guidance of a prescribing provider (e.g. physician, APRN, Physician’s Assistant).
b. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
c. As part of the interdisciplinary wound care team, contributes to the establishment and revision of the individualized, comprehensive care plan to promote wound prevention and healing, provides input for care plan consideration and implementation per established protocols.
d. In conjunction with prescribing providers orders (physician, APRN, physician assistant), provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management.
e. Delegates appropriate actions for adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration, as part of an established individualized plan of care, to PT assistants and OT assistants.
f. Assesses, recommends, and provides adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration within the state’s scope of practice for therapy clinicians.
g. Assesses and makes recommendations for support surface selection.
h. Provides and reinforces education, consistent with therapy-related aspects of the individualized care plan (e.g. proper positioning, mobility), to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
i. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
j. Contributes to the facility or agency quality improvement program, as assigned.
Role: The PT and OT plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Working under the guidance of a prescribing provider (e.g. physician, APRN, Physician’s Assistant).
b. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
c. As part of the interdisciplinary wound care team, contributes to the establishment and revision of the individualized, comprehensive care plan to promote wound prevention and healing, provides input for care plan consideration and implementation per established protocols.
d. In conjunction with prescribing providers orders (physician, APRN, physician assistant), provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management.
e. Delegates appropriate actions for adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration, as part of an established individualized plan of care, to PT assistants and OT assistants.
f. Assesses, recommends, and provides adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration within the state’s scope of practice for therapy clinicians.
g. Assesses and makes recommendations for support surface selection.
h. Provides and reinforces education, consistent with therapy-related aspects of the individualized care plan (e.g. proper positioning, mobility), to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
i. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
j. Contributes to the facility or agency quality improvement program, as assigned.
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA):
Role: The PTA plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Working under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT).
b. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
c. As part of the interdisciplinary wound care team, contributes to the establishment and revision of the individualized, comprehensive care plan to promote wound prevention and healing, provides input for care plan consideration and implementation per established protocols.
d. In conjunction with prescribing provider’s orders (physician, APRN, physician assistant), and supervision of the PT, provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management.
e. Initiates appropriate actions for adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration, as part of an established individualized plan of care, and as directed by the PT.
f. Assesses, recommends, and provides adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration within the state’s scope of practice for PTA’s.
g. Assesses and makes recommendations for support surface selection.
h. Provides and reinforces education, consistent with therapy-related aspects of the individualized care plan (e.g. proper positioning, mobility), to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
i. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
j. Contributes to the facility or agency quality improvement program, as assigned.
Role: The PTA plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Working under the supervision of a Physical Therapist (PT).
b. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
c. As part of the interdisciplinary wound care team, contributes to the establishment and revision of the individualized, comprehensive care plan to promote wound prevention and healing, provides input for care plan consideration and implementation per established protocols.
d. In conjunction with prescribing provider’s orders (physician, APRN, physician assistant), and supervision of the PT, provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management.
e. Initiates appropriate actions for adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration, as part of an established individualized plan of care, and as directed by the PT.
f. Assesses, recommends, and provides adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration within the state’s scope of practice for PTA’s.
g. Assesses and makes recommendations for support surface selection.
h. Provides and reinforces education, consistent with therapy-related aspects of the individualized care plan (e.g. proper positioning, mobility), to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
i. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
j. Contributes to the facility or agency quality improvement program, as assigned.
Occupational Therapy Assistant/Licensed (OTA)
Role: The OTA plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Working under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT)
Role: The OTA plays a key role in oversight of the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Working under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT)
b. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure.
c. As part of the interdisciplinary wound care team contributes to the establishment and revision of the individualized, comprehensive care plan to promote wound prevention and healing, provides input for care plan consideration and implementation per established protocols.
d. In conjunction with prescribing provider’s orders (physician, APRN, physician assistant), and supervision of the OT, provides consultation and/or hands-on care for wound prevention or management.
e. Initiates appropriate actions for adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration, as part of an established individualized plan of care, and as directed by the OT.
f. Assesses, recommends, and provides adjunctive modalities specific to therapy administration within the state’s scope of practice for OTA’s.
g. Assesses and makes recommendations for support surface selection.
h. Provides and reinforces education, consistent with therapy-related aspects of the individualized care plan (e.g. proper positioning, mobility), to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff.
i. Observes patient’s response and wound status, reporting any changes to the supervising clinician, according to facility or agency guidelines.
j. Contributes to the facility or agency quality improvement program, as assigned.
Physician:
Role: The physician works independently or in collaboration with an APRN/PA to lead the interdisciplinary wound care team to plan and provide care for the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure, and facility or agency-based credentialing and privileging requirements to provide patient care.
b. Independently or in collaboration with the APRN or PA, the physician establishes wound diagnosis, prognosis, and wound care treatment.
c. Orders appropriate referrals and tests when indicated.
d. As a leader provides oversight, assistance, and guidance to other members of the interdisciplinary wound care team to establish a comprehensive approach to wound management that includes all disciplines and promotes optimal outcomes.
e. Collaborates with the APRN, PA, RN and other wound care team members to develop a wound prevention plan.
f. Provides bedside treatments to include conservative sharp debridement when needed.
g. Works with the interdisciplinary team to educate patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff regarding preventative measures, interventions, and individualized patient treatment plans.
h. Collaborates with other wound care professionals to promote research and assess findings to establish updated, relevant approaches to improve wound prevention and wound care practices.
i. Collaborates with other wound care team members to promote the facility or agency quality improvement program.
Role: The physician works independently or in collaboration with an APRN/PA to lead the interdisciplinary wound care team to plan and provide care for the patient at-risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure, and facility or agency-based credentialing and privileging requirements to provide patient care.
b. Independently or in collaboration with the APRN or PA, the physician establishes wound diagnosis, prognosis, and wound care treatment.
c. Orders appropriate referrals and tests when indicated.
d. As a leader provides oversight, assistance, and guidance to other members of the interdisciplinary wound care team to establish a comprehensive approach to wound management that includes all disciplines and promotes optimal outcomes.
e. Collaborates with the APRN, PA, RN and other wound care team members to develop a wound prevention plan.
f. Provides bedside treatments to include conservative sharp debridement when needed.
g. Works with the interdisciplinary team to educate patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff regarding preventative measures, interventions, and individualized patient treatment plans.
h. Collaborates with other wound care professionals to promote research and assess findings to establish updated, relevant approaches to improve wound prevention and wound care practices.
i. Collaborates with other wound care team members to promote the facility or agency quality improvement program.
Physician Assistant (PA):
Role: The PA works independently or in collaboration with a physician (according to state practice acts and facility/agency policies) to lead the interprofessional wound care team to plan and provide care for the patient at risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure, and facility or agency-based credentialing and privileging requirements to prescribe medications, order tests, and treatments, and make necessary referrals.
b. Independently or in collaboration with the physician comprehensively assesses and establishes wound diagnosis, prognosis, and wound care treatment.
c. As a leader provides oversight, assistance, and guidance to other members of the interdisciplinary wound care team to establish and provide a comprehensive approach to wound management that includes all disciplines and promotes optimum outcomes.
d. Provides bedside treatments to include conservative sharp debridement, when indicated and permitted by state practice acts and facility policy.
e. Independently, or in collaboration with other interdisciplinary wound care team members, develops and implements wound prevention, skin management, and wound treatment programs and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff. ,
f. Collaborates with other wound care professionals to promote research and assess findings to establish updated, relevant approaches to improve wound prevention and wound care practices.
g. Collaborates with other wound care team members to promote the facility or agency quality improvement program.
Role: The PA works independently or in collaboration with a physician (according to state practice acts and facility/agency policies) to lead the interprofessional wound care team to plan and provide care for the patient at risk of or with wound care needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
a. Abides by state practice acts, regulations, and laws established within the state/states of licensure, and facility or agency-based credentialing and privileging requirements to prescribe medications, order tests, and treatments, and make necessary referrals.
b. Independently or in collaboration with the physician comprehensively assesses and establishes wound diagnosis, prognosis, and wound care treatment.
c. As a leader provides oversight, assistance, and guidance to other members of the interdisciplinary wound care team to establish and provide a comprehensive approach to wound management that includes all disciplines and promotes optimum outcomes.
d. Provides bedside treatments to include conservative sharp debridement, when indicated and permitted by state practice acts and facility policy.
e. Independently, or in collaboration with other interdisciplinary wound care team members, develops and implements wound prevention, skin management, and wound treatment programs and provides corresponding education to patients, family members/caregivers, and facility/agency staff. ,
f. Collaborates with other wound care professionals to promote research and assess findings to establish updated, relevant approaches to improve wound prevention and wound care practices.
g. Collaborates with other wound care team members to promote the facility or agency quality improvement program.
