Clinical Nurse Educator

Job DescriptionJob Description

MISSION COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Clinical Practice Educator

Behavioral Health Unit

Position Summary

The Clinical Practice Educator is responsible for developing and maintaining the clinical skills of the nursing staff. The Clinical Practice Educator shall use sound nursing theory, and evidence-based practices to guide education activities; participate in advancing professional development for direct patient care staff by assisting with developing a Nursing Professional Practice Committee (including sub committees: clinical practice, research, leadership, professionalism, quality, education, and patient safety); collaborate with Nursing Directors and Managers to identify the clinical practice education needs of direct patient care staff; and be responsible for developing and implementing strategic education plans. This position reports to the Chief Nursing Officer or her/his designee.

This position requires educating staff and validating their clinical knowledge and skill sets to provide care to outpatients of all age groups and inpatients (e.g., adult, geriatric, and elderly patients).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES VALUE ADDED – INCREASES WORTH OF SERVICE TO MISSION COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

1. Participates in marketing activities of the Hospital including but not limited to committees/task forces, speaking engagements, conducting tours, Hospital sponsored health fairs.
2. Participates in staff recognition activities in ways that reward behaviors reflecting positively on Mission Community Hospital.
3. Serves as an active participant in departmental, interdepartmental, multi-department or house-wide process improvement forums/task forces/committees.
4. Offers and implements solutions to challenges/problems.
5. Assists with development-related activities including fund raising programs & activities.
6. Participates in departmental activities / projects and contributes recommendations and/or assists in implementing new or revised processes/procedures that improve work efficiency and/or enhanced service.
7. Independently identified departmental work to be done and/or coworkers needing assistance (beyond regular job responsibilities) and actively assists with projects.
8. Participates in activities that contribute to professional growth and development in ways that enhance value to the organization.

LEADERSHIP

1. Assists staff and other patient care team members in completing care efficiently, effectively, and safely.
2. Utilizes and role models participant decision-making.
3. Provides coaching and supervision when clinical practice knowledge deficits are identified.

LEADERSHIP (continued)

1. Is continuously aware of changing priorities and resource availability and proactively removes roadblocks and prevents problems.
2. Utilizes competent interpersonal skills and conflict resolution technique.
3. Assures appropriate completion/documentation of unit logs, quality control measure, and participates with performance improvement activities/projects.
4. Role models and fosters high quality and continuous excellence in patient care.
5. Promotes an environment in which the patient care team is motivated to work cooperatively toward common outcomes.
6. Role models and assures compliance by patient care team members with hospital clinical practice policies and procedures, standards of patient care, hospital accreditation, and regulatory standards.
7. Precepts/mentors new hires, new grads, float staff, novice and experienced staff, and registry personnel to promote clinical practice excellence and quality patient care.
8. Participates actively on the Clinical Practice Council and other patient care and safety councils/committees/task forces as requested.

Demonstrates the ability to safely and competently Educate Clinical Staff to perform tasks and procedures according to scope of practice and hospital policy and procedure.

1. Assumes direct patient care preceptor role when orienting and validating nurse competencies.
2. Assesses the competency of new nursing employees upon hire and plans and coordinates their clinical practice orientation in collaboration with Nursing Directors/Managers. Determines when staff orientation is complete.
3. Develops and coordinates new hire and annual competency assessment program for nursing.
4. Oversees the preceptor and nurse residency program activities.
5. Coordinates and participates with Nursing Directors/Managers the documentation of new hire and annual competency assessments of the staff.
6. Conducts educational clinical practice needs assessments, develops education calendar and recruits/encourages staff attendance.
7. Teaches a minimum of two (2) CEU approved courses/in-services a month.
8. Plans and presents, in collaboration with Nursing Directors/Managers, a minimum of two (2) “mini” in-services on each unit each month including but not limited to presentations, literature reviews, video’s, coaching staff, etc.
9. Make clinical practice rounds and interacts with staff on patient care units; on all shifts; including at least one weekend a month with specific learning objectives.
10. Develops staff scientific knowledge of evidence-based practices, critical thinking skills, time management skills, decision making skills, technical skills, and customer service skills.
11. Develops staff clinical competencies by educating, mentoring, and role modeling.
12. Guides the performance of consistent standards of practice by nurses and other care givers and ensure the same standards of care, regardless of setting.

1. Develops the staff so that they contribute to the patient’s recovery and increases the value of the staff through assisting with their professional growth.
2. Demonstrates the ability to safely and competently educate clinical staff to perform tasks and procedures according to their scope of practice and hospital policy and procedures.
3. Participates in the evaluation of staff performance and clinical practice education needs.
4. Assesses complex patients, assists the assigned nurse in planning patient care, and reviews nurse competency progress on a regular basis.
5. Serves as a resource for staff caring for patients by clarifying standards of care and scope of clinical practice.
6. Shadows staff to ensure clinical practice policies and procedures is followed.

1. Ensures staff receives required training and education prior to initial equipment use.
2. Educates staff to use equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s operating instructions.
3. Assumes other work related responsivities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

General Requirements

• Current California RN license
• Minimum nursing degree required: Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Preferred nursing degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• BCLS
• ACLS
• CCRN preferred
• Certified Nurse Specialist (CNS) preferred
• Minimum three years current acute nursing experience
• Minimum two years current clinical education experience

Physical Demand Analysis

1. Physical Requirements:

Ability to negotiate physical environment safely.

1. Visual Requirements:

Ability to translate and understand written communications and negotiate physical environment safely.

1. Hearing Requirements:

Ability to understand and translate auditory communications.

1. Working Conditions:

Office working conditions: Usual and customary patient care areas. Use safety precautions according to hospital policy and procedure.

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