Clinical nurse specialist h1.location_city

UW Health in northern Illinois is seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner to serve in a Clinical Nurse Specialist–style role focused on Wound Care, supporting patients across inpatient and outpatient settings. This position blends advanced clinical practice with education, consultation, and quality improvement to promote optimal wound healing and skin integrity outcomes.

Position Highlights

• Advanced practice role specializing in acute and chronic wound management
• Practice across hospital and outpatient clinic settings
• High level of autonomy and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Opportunity to influence clinical practice, education, and quality initiatives
• Supportive, team-based environment with strong nursing and physician partnership

Clinical Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive assessments and management of complex wounds, ostomies, and skin integrity concerns
• Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans
• Perform wound procedures including debridement and advanced wound therapies
• Order and interpret diagnostic studies and labs related to wound care
• Provide inpatient wound and skin consultations across hospital units
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing, therapy, nutrition, and other care team members
• Support appropriate use of specialty beds, surfaces, and equipment

Education & Consultation

• Serve as a clinical resource for nursing and medical staff
• Develop and deliver wound care and pressure injury prevention education
• Mentor Skin Care Champions and frontline nursing staff
• Support competency development and ongoing staff education

Leadership & Quality Improvement

• Participate in performance improvement initiatives focused on wound outcomes
• Monitor wound care metrics and identify opportunities for improvement
• Assist with policy, procedure, and guideline development
• Support regulatory and accreditation readiness related to wound and skin care

Research & Evidence-Based Practice

• Integrate current evidence and best practices into clinical care
• Participate in quality improvement, research, and clinical innovation efforts

Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program
• Current licensure as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Illinois, or ability to obtain upon hire
• National certification as Adult-Gerontology or Family NP
• Wound Care Certification (WOCN, WCC, CWS, or equivalent) preferred
• BLS / ACLS required
• 3–5 years of wound, ostomy, or skin care experience preferred
• Experience in both acute care and outpatient settings strongly desired

Benefits

UW Health offers a highly competitive salary guarantee and other incentives. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary range (based on experience):$128,042 – $139,587
• Generous vacation and CME benefits
• Potential opportunity for additional compensation
• Professional society dues, credentialing expenses & hospital dues covered
• Interview and relocation expenses paid

• Flexible insurance package with health, dental, vision, disability and life

• Retirement Plan match and contribution
• Malpractice with tail coverage
• Generous provider referral bonus

About the Greater Rockford Area:

Recently named the number one housing market in America by The Wall Street Journal, Rockford and northern Illinois offer world-class attractions — all at a cost of living significantly below those of most metropolitan areas. The greater Rockford area offers superb cultural, recreational, and outdoor amenities along with an eclectic arts community of theater, symphony, museums and dance. With an award-winning park district, Rockford has unrivaled outdoor opportunities, including Golf Digest-ranked golf courses, endless bike trails and extensive indoor and outdoor sports centers. We have excellent private, parochial and public-school options, including the Gifted Academy with graduates ranked in the top 5% nationally. Our proximity to Chicago O’Hare International Airport opens up countless travel possibilities, and Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison are each just 90 minutes away or less.

Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging

UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.