Clinical Nurse Specialist (Graduated Prepared or CNS Certified)- Wound Ostomy

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Job Description

FLSA: E Pay Target: H2

Date: 1/1/2026 Supervisory Requirement: No

The WOC CNS serves as a strategic clinical leader, aligning evidence, data, and frontline practice to influence system-wide outcomes, enhance care standardization, and support organizational priorities in quality, safety, and patient experience with regard to skin, wound and ostomy management. They work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team in a variety of specialties in planning and coordinating skin, wound and ostomy care. In addition, the WOC CNS works on a system-level to implement improvements in patient care that improve outcomes for categories of patients. The WOC CNS is an integral part of multiple teams, as a clinician, educator, consultant, and leader.

Specific Job Responsibilities and Standards

1. Direct Care

• Provides expert consultation and co-management for patients with complex wound, ostomy, and continence needs, supporting clinical decision-making and optimizing patient outcomes.
• Partners with WOC RNs across the health system to manage high-risk and complex cases, offering advanced assessment, treatment recommendations, and guidance to ensure alignment with evidence-based practice.
• Supports timely identification and intervention for patients at-risk for skin breakdown or complications through proactive rounding, case review, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Promotes consistency and excellence in care delivery by guiding DUHS WOC RNs in the application of standardized WOC RN practices, products, and clinical pathways.
• Collaborates with nursing and provider teams to address barriers to care, ensure appropriate resource utilization, and facilitate safe, effective care transitions.
• Serves as a clinical resource and mentor for complex wound and ostomy cases, reinforcing best practices and supporting skill development in real-time clinical environments.

1. Coaching & Education

1. 
   
   
   
   • Identifies learning needs of patients, families, and nursing staff.
   • Support education of nurses and other health care providers to include but not limited to pre-professional, graduate and continuing education opportunities.
   • Mentor health professionals in applying the principles of evidence-based care.
   • Uses coaching and advanced communication skills to facilitate the development of effective clinical teams.
   
   
   
   

1. Collaboration

• Builds effective interdisciplinary relationships to support coordinated, high-quality care.
• Serves as a clinical resource and consultant to nurses, physicians, and other clinical care team members.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration within and across units and service lines.
• Partners with leaders to develop innovative and cost-effective care models and programs.

1. Evidence based practice, Quality Improvement and Research

• Promotes a culture of clinical inquiry, continuous learning, and evidence-based care.
• Evaluates and translates research and best practices into clinical application across the system.
• Identifies barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based practices and designs strategies to improve adoption and sustainability.
• Leads and participates in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, effectiveness, and outcomes pertaining to skin, wound and ostomy practices.
• Uses data and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and evaluate impact.
• Supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards of practice, guidelines, policies, and protocols, including WOC RN clinical practice across the health system.
• Provides leadership in the system-wide implementation of quality improvement and innovation.
• Mentors staff in applying evidence-based practice principles and engaging in research or quality improvement projects.

1. Systems Leadership

• Leads initiatives that promote excellence in clinical practice and professional nursing standards.
• Identifies system-level barriers and develops solutions to improve care delivery and clinical outcomes.
• Advances nursing practice through leadership, ethical decision-making, and continuous professional growth.
• Contributes to a supportive and healthy work environment that fosters staff engagement and retention.
• Supports the development of standards, policies, and care protocols to ensure high-quality, safe, and patient-centered care.

• In collaboration with the WOC RN teams, the WOC CNC utilizes comprehensive assessment skills in the evaluation of ostomy, pressure injury prevention and wound care products in an effort to provide quality, safety, and cost-effective care.

Hours: Monday-Friday with other hours as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Education: Graduate of an accredited MSN, DNP or PhD, Clinical Nurse Specialist program or a Post-Masters' Certificate as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Licensure: Current unrestricted RN license issued by or recognized by the North Carolina BON with recognition to practice as a CNS in the state of North Carolina.

Certification: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC, ACCNS-AG) or equivalent CNS certification. Nationally-recognized certification in Wound and Ostomy management required or obtained within 9 months of hire. Continence certification preferred

Experience: Minimum 5 years of RN clinical experience is required. Experience as a Wound Ostomy nurse preferred. Experience as a clinical nurse specialist preferred.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas- an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

The work environment involves risk discomforts that are typical of an acute care setting to include working with patients under isolation and universal precautions. It requires safety precautions, ongoing education and health risk monitoring. Contact with specimens, chemicals, sharps; radiation, technical equipment and fumes are possible. Employees are required to wear personal protective attire according to hospital policies and OSHA guidelines. The work activity and patient acuity levels can create a stressful atmosphere.