Skip to main content

Testing Environment: You are currently working in a testing area separate from the live site. Some things may appear different because they're under active development.

Wound Treatment Associate Program

Through the convenience of online learning, the WTA Program will help you with daily patient monitoring, pressure ulcer prevention, and basic wound management to improve outcomes for patients.

Key Program Information
Related Programs

Improve patient outcomes, become a Wound Care Associate.

The Wound Treatment Associate Program is a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (WOCN) Society-endorsed educational program geared toward non-specialty licensed nurses. Learn the important skills of daily patient monitoring, pressure ulcer prevention, and basic wound management to improve your patient outcomes. 

This is a 12-week online course, with a post-program virtual skills check. You can complete the online portion at your own pace, however, it must be completed within three months. In addition to the narrated PowerPoint, your instructor will be available to answer any questions you may have.

After completing the lessons, participants will take a virtual clinical skills competency test. 

Major topics covered by the WTA program include:

  • A&P of Skin and Soft Tissue: Implications for Routine Care
  • Skin and Tissue Loss Caused by External Factors
  • Establishing Protocols for Prevention
  • Legal and Regulatory Issues
  • Physiology of Wound Healing
  • Systemic Factors Affecting Repair
  • Wound Assessment and Documentation
  • Guidelines for Topical Therapy Assessment and Management of Refractory Wounds
  • Management of Arterial/Ischemic Ulcers
  • Management of Venous Ulcers
  • Prevention and Management of Neuropathic Ulcers

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Will I be a certified wound care nurse once I’ve completed this course?
    No. The Wound Treatment Associate program provides comprehensive base-level knowledge about wound care so that you can become an integral member of the wound care team.  

  2. What is the Wound Treatment Associate-C Certification?
    Once you’ve completed the Wound Treatment Associate Course, you can go on to seek certification as a WTA-C if you so choose. If interested in a certification visit: http://www.wocncb.org/certification/wound-treatment-associate
A nurse practices wrapping a foot as part of the Wound Treatment Associate clinical

Who should attend

This course is designed for the registered nurse, licensed practical/vocational nurse or military medic/corpsman, physical therapist, physical therapist assistants, or any health care provider who may benefit from this comprehensive certificate program.

Instructors

  • Laura Kenney head shot.

    Dr. Laura Kenney is an Adult Nurse Practitioner who is a Board Certified Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse, as well as a Certified Foot and Nail Care Specialist. She has extensive knowledge and background in working with complex wounds, including enterocutaneous fistula management, chronic venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers, traumatic wounds, and diabetic foot ulcers. She draws her experience from previous work in a Level 1 Trauma Hospital where she helped create a Wound Program with core training in pressure ulcer prevention, assessment, and treatment. She also assisted in the creation of the facility's Ostomy Program which provides education, management, and support for patients and families with colostomies, ileostomies and urostomies. She currently works at the HealthEast Vascular Clinic and treats a myriad of wounds and skin conditions with primary focus on venous stasis ulcers and edema control. Dr. Kenney has been a CWOCN since 2008. She earned her undergraduate, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice Degrees all at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her graduate school research focused on the prevention of pressure ulcer development on prolonged surgical spinal cases in the operating room by utilizing a prophylactic bordered silicone foam dressing. She was previously a pressure ulcer advisory group member for the Minnesota Hospital Association's SAFE SKIN collaborative which involves over 100 Minnesota Hospitals. Dr. Kenney's publications and presentations include Minnesota Health Care News, May 2012; Pressure Ulcer Prevention Tips, p. 14-17; Strategies in Primary Care Medicine Conference; Skin Deep: Nuts and Bolts of Wound care; Minnesota Hospital Association, SAFE SKIN Patient and family education video; Minnesota Hospital Association, SAFE SKIN Virtual Conference, Presenter on the Skin Wound Action Team. She was also nominated for Innovation of the Year Award in 2012 for pressure ulcer prevention.

CEU Information

Upon completion of the WTA Program, you will function as an integral member of the wound care team to support and extend the role of the WOC specialty nurse. This gives you an added skill beyond your regular licensure. In addition to these valuable takeaways, you'll also earn 32.25 Continuing Nursing Education Contact Hours* through the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Board and a certificate verifying that you've completed the program.

  • This course has been approved by the Federation of State Board Physical Therapy ProCert to award PTs and PTAs 21 contact hours
  • Accreditation Statement: The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 15115.

    Disclaimer: Accreditation refers to educational content only and does not imply ANCC, CBRN or WOCN endorsement of any commercial product or service.

    To receive Course Certificate, participants must:

    • Complete all course activities including the narrated PowerPoint lessons, review questions, skills demonstrations and test practice/review sessions.
    • Receive a passing score of at least 70% on the two-part final written posttest. Part I of the posttest consists of 40 multiple choice questions that evaluate the overall course content. Part II consists of 4 sections with 32 multiple choice questions, specific to 3 clinical case scenarios that evaluate pressure ulcer risk assessment and development of an individualized prevention plan; assessment and management of a trunk wound; and assessment and management of a lower extremity ulcer.
    • Satisfactorily demonstrate competency in the following clinical skills: performing and interpreting an ankle brachial index (ABI), sensory testing with a Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and application of a 2-layer, 3-layer, or 4-layer sustained compression wrap.
    • Complete/Submit the Final Participant's Evaluation of the course.
    • After satisfactory completion of the course and submission of the course evaluation, participants can download a certificate of completion and print it out or save it on their computer.
Disability Accommodations

UW-Eau Claire Continuing Education encourages individuals with disabilities or other special needs to participate in our programs whenever possible. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please notify us at least two weeks in advance of the program so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Contact Continuing Education at 715-836-3636 / toll-free 866-893-2423, or use the Wisconsin Relay System (711). All requests are kept confidential.

An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, University of Wisconsin provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements.

Cancellation Policy

We understand life happens. Should you need to cancel your registration, you may substitute someone to take your place, at any time, at no cost to you. If we cancel a program, we’ll give you your money back.

If your program is 14 or more days away:
You may transfer once to any currently available program – no charge!
If you have to cancel, you will receive a refund, minus a 20% administrative fee.

If your program is less than 14 days away:
You may transfer once to any currently available program, plus a 20% transfer fee.
If you cancel, you will not receive a refund.

If you are registered and do not attend the program, you are responsible for the full fee.

Substitution, refund or transfer requests must be submitted via email or phone call to UW-Eau Claire Continuing Education.

There are currently no upcoming dates for this program. To make sure you are notified when dates are scheduled, please join our mailing list.

Join Our Mailing List