How To Become a Wound Care Technician: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn about the steps important to pursuing a career as a wound care technician, including education, skills, salary and more.
Wound care technicians are specially trained medical professionals who provide care for patients with chronic or acute wounds. They work closely with patients to clean and dress wounds, monitor healing progress and provide education on wound care. If you are interested in becoming a wound care technician, it is important to learn about the steps you need to take to pursue this career. In this article, we discuss what a wound care technician does, the average salary and the steps to take to become one.
What Does a Wound Care Technician Do?
A wound care technician is a medical professional who specializes in the care and treatment of wounds. They work with patients who have chronic or acute wounds that require special attention. The goal of a wound care technician is to help patients heal as quickly and safely as possible.
Wound care technicians typically have the following responsibilities:
- Assessing patients’ wounds to determine the best course of treatment
- Cleaning and dressing wounds according to protocol
- Applying compression bandages or other types of dressings
- Removing dead tissue from wounds
- Checking patients for signs of infection
- Providing patient education on how to care for their wounds
- Documenting patients’ progress
- Ordering supplies and equipment
- Supervising junior staff members
Wound Care Technician Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for a wound care technician is $85,589.91 per year. Wound care technicians can expect to see above-average job growth in the coming years as the population ages and the demand for their services increases.
How to Become a Wound Care Technician
Here are several steps you should take to become a wound care technician.
1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent
A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum education requirement for wound care technician positions. Some employers may prefer candidates to have completed some college courses in healthcare, but a degree is not always necessary.
If you are interested in pursuing higher education, consider taking classes in biology and anatomy to better prepare yourself for this career path. You can also enroll in an associate’s degree program to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), which will provide you with additional knowledge about patient care.
2. Complete a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program
A CNA program teaches you the basics of patient care, including how to interact with patients and families, basic medical terminology, infection control practices, CPR and other emergency procedures. You will also learn about body systems and how they work, nutritional needs and general health principles.
A CNA program typically takes around 12-16 weeks to complete. To enroll in a CNA program, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Obtain certification as a wound care technician through the National Healthcare Association
The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers certification for wound care technicians. To obtain this certification, you must complete a course that covers topics such as the anatomy of wounds and how to assess them, principles of debridement and dressing selection. You must also pass an exam on these subjects.
The NHA’s certification is valid for three years. To renew it, you must take continuing education courses in relevant areas.
4. Gain experience working in a healthcare setting
After completing your CNA program, consider working in a healthcare setting to gain experience as a wound care technician. You can work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) while you’re studying to become a wound care technician and earn additional experience. Hospitals, long-term care facilities and clinics are all good places to look for jobs as a CNA or wound care technician.
Working in a healthcare setting allows you to learn about the industry and develop skills that are necessary for the job. It also gives you an opportunity to build relationships with other healthcare professionals who may be able to provide you with career advice and recommendations.
5. Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills
As a wound care technician, you will interact with patients and their families on a regular basis. It is important to develop strong interpersonal skills so that you can communicate effectively and build trust with your patients. You may also need to speak in front of others during meetings or training sessions. Communication skills are also important when working as part of a team.
6. Be able to lift and move patients
Wound care technicians must be able to lift and move patients safely. This is especially important when caring for patients with wounds, who may have fragile skin that could tear easily. You may need to help a patient get in and out of bed or assist them with other activities of daily living (ADLs).
7. Stay up to date on changes in the industry
The wound care industry is constantly evolving as new treatments and technologies are developed. To stay informed about the latest developments, it’s a good idea to regularly review professional journals and attend conferences hosted by your state’s chapter of the National Healthcare Association (NHA). The NHA also offers continuing education courses for wound care technicians who want to earn certification in additional areas.
