Clinical Nurse Educator

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The clinical nurse educator fosters the achievement of learning by diverse learners. Serves as educator, facilitator, change agent, consultant, researcher and leader. Works collaboratively with unit management to ensure program development, implementation and evaluation.

CORPORATE PHILOSPHY:

It is the obligation of each employee of Edward Health Services Corporation to abide by and promote the mission and values of the Corporation to ensure that excellent services are delivered with compassion.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following duties and responsibilities are all essential job functions, as defined by the ADA, except those that begin with the word "May.")

Educator Role - Creates an environment in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings that facilitate student learning and the achievement of desired cognitive, affective and psychomotor outcomes. As a result, the clinical nurse educator: Formulates program outcomes and designs curricula that reflect contemporary health care and assists the learner to function effectively in the health care environment. Implements variety of teaching strategies appropriate to learner needs, desired learner outcomes, content and context. Grounds teaching strategies in educational theory and evidence-based teaching practices. Recognizes multigenerational, gender and experiential influences on teaching and learning. Uses information technologies skillfully to support the teaching-learning process. Conveys ideas in a variety of contexts. Demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching, learning and nursing. Demonstrates interest in, understanding of and respect for learner. Uses awareness of self and personal attributes such as caring, confidence, patients, integrity and flexibility to facilitate learning. Maintains professional practice expertise and serves as a role model for professional nursing. Creates opportunities for learners to develop their critical thinking and critical reasoning skills Provides an appropriate climate for learning, ensures that learners are actively involved in the learning process and fosters a positive attitude toward life-long learning. Provides educational activities for staff nurses, managers, orientees, interns, CAPs, students, PCTs and other health care professionals based on individual, group and institutional needs. Uses a variety of educational strategies to assist learners to achieve their goals and engage in critical thinking and problem solving, including appropriate audiovisual aids, interactive teaching strategies, quality improvement techniques and self-learning modules. Provides timely, constructive and thoughtful feedback to learners. Collaborates with interdisciplinary colleagues to promote positive learning environments and educational consistency across the organization. Uses a variety of strategies to assess and evaluate learning in a cognitive, psychomotor and affective domain. Evaluates the effectiveness of learning activities and modifies teaching strategies as needed and uses data to enhance teaching-learning process. Promotes continuous quality improvement of all aspects of education. Revises curriculum based on assessment of program outcomes, learner needs and societal and health care trends.

Facilitator and Consultant Role - Facilitates learner development and socialization and fosters the evolution of nurses and other staff members into their professional roles by fostering the integration of expected values and behaviors. Identifies individual learning styles and unique learning needs of learners and guides them to the appropriate resources. Engages in effective advisement and counseling strategies that help learners meet their professional goals Using values of respect, collegiality, professionalism, and caring, creates learning environments that socialize the learner to the role of the nurse and facilitate learners' self-reflection and personal goal setting Assists learners to develop the ability to engage in thoughtful and constructive self and peer evaluation. Consults with individuals and groups on defining educational opportunities, identifying appropriate internal and external educational resources and selecting educational options. Promotes and facilitates unit based and hospital wide staff retention initiatives. Serves as liaison to new employees to ensure successful staff transition and retention. Consults with staff members on patient education methods and content. Models professional behaviors for learner including but not limited to involvement in professional organization, engagement in lifelong learning activities, dissemination of information through publication and presentations, and health care advocacy.

Research and Quality Role Demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning. Recognizes that career enhancement needs and activities change over time and participates in professional development opportunities to increase effectiveness in role. Balances teaching, scholarship and practice demands inherent in the role of clinical nurse educator. Uses feedback gained from self, peer, learner and administration to improve role effectiveness. Fosters evidence-based practice in nursing by integrating nursing research results into practice and promoting the use of clinical, educational and managerial research findings. Evaluates the outcomes of educational activities. Participates in and initiates nursing research. Enhances process improvement by identifying improvement opportunities, leading quality initiatives, and implementing change. Disseminates nursing and teaching knowledge to a variety of audiences through various means, including presenting at local, regional and national conferences and writing for publication. Oversees policy creation and revision to ensure they are based on pertinent evidence. Demonstrates qualities of a scholar: integrity, courage, perseverance, vitality, and creativity.

Change Agent and Leader Role Proactively identifies needed changes, develops appropriate policies, guidelines and structures, and assists staff in thriving in an environment of change. Promotes relationship-based model of care. Supports organizational and administrative structures to achieve department and organizational goals related to patient safety, clinical excellence, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and financial performance. Maintains clinical expertise through a variety of methods, including direct patient care as appropriate. Actively networks and participates in professional organizations. Integrates long-term, innovative, and creative perspective into the clinical nurse educator role. Assumes a leadership role in various initiatives within the organization. Participates in interdisciplinary efforts to address health care and educational needs locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. Implements strategies for organizational change. Provides leadership to enhance the visibility to nursing and its contributions to health care. Promotes innovative practices. Demonstrates leadership skills to shape and implement change. Advocates for nursing and nursing education in the political arena.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Required Education and/or Experience:

• A Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN)
• Minimum five years of previous clinical experience

Preferred Education and/or Experience:

• Master's degree in nursing or related discipline
• Certification in the area of specialty

Required License and/or Certification:

• Current State of Illinois Registered Nurse licensure
• Current CPR Certification issued by the American Heart Association.

A very high level of analytical ability is required. Incumbents must collect, analyze and interpret data in order to solve problems requiring a professional level of knowledge in a specific discipline and/or design complex clinical or administrative systems and programs.

A high level of communication skill is required in order to lead, teach, and persuade others and/or interact effectively with others in very difficult situations.

Assignments are received in the form of broad goals or areas of responsibility. Considerable latitude in setting policies as well as financial and operating plans.

Benefits:

• Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development
• Various Medical, Dental, and Vision options, including Domestic Partner Coverage
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking at designated locations
• Wellness Program Savings Plan
• Health Savings Account Options
• Retirement Options with Company Match
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Community Involvement Opportunities

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