PICU Clinical Education Specialist - Full-time

The Department Clinical Education Specialist is a registered nurse who influences professional role competence and professional growth of learners. This individual supports lifelong learners in an interprofessional environment that facilitates continuous development. The Department Clinical Education Specialist serves as a Learning Facilitator, Change Agent, Mentor, Leader, Champion for Scientific Inquiry, Advocate for the Nursing Professional Development Specialty, and Partner for Practice Transition. Specific responsibilities include: onboarding/orientation, competency management, education, professional role development, research/evidence-based practice/quality improvement, and collaborative partnerships with a focus on the department's clinical employees. Collaborates, consults, and partners with the department's leadership team. The Department Clinical Education Specialist may be expected to provide direct patient care. Specifically, under general supervision, assumes 24-hour accountability and demonstrates the ability to plan and provide direct professional nursing care for specified patients throughout the entire episode of service delivery as defined by the population and unit. Provides nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the standards of practice of a professional nurse, Connecticut Children's policies and procedures, the Joint Commission, and State and Federal regulations. A key concept of the position is twenty-four hour accountability for assessing and meeting the learning needs of clinical employees. Reports to Nurse Manager. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Analyzes issues, trends, and supporting data to determine the needs of individuals, organizations and communities in relation to health care. 2. Collects data and information to validate an identified gap in professional practice and to determine the specific knowledge, skill or practice deficit or opportunity. 3. Identifies desired outcomes of the educational plan. 4. Establishes a plan that prescribes strategies, alternatives, and resources to achieve expected outcomes. 5. Implements the identified plan. 6. Coordinates educational initiatives and activities. 7. Employs strategies to facilitate positive learning and practice environments. 8. Provides consultation to influence plans, enhance the abilities of others, and effect change. 9. Evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes. 10. Integrates ethics in all areas of practice. 11. Maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing and professional development practice. 12. Acts as a champion of scientific inquiry, generating new knowledge and integrating best available evidence into practice. 13. Systematically enhances the quality and effectiveness of nursing professional development practice. 14. Acts as a change agent within all settings. 15. Provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession. 16. Collaborates with interprofessional teams, leaders, stakeholders, and others to facilitate nursing and positive outcomes for consumers. 17. Evaluates personal practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines and relevant statues, rules, and regulations. 18. Considers factors related to quality, safety, effectiveness and cost regarding professional development activities and expected outcomes. 19. Advances the profession and the specialty through mentoring and contributions to the professional development of others. 20. Demonstrates support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the Connecticut Children's standards. 21. Demonstrates ownership and accountability to department and organization outcomes (ex. Nursing retention rates, Patient & Family Experience measures, etc.). 22. Demonstrates flexibility in schedule in order to provide off-shift visibility. Position Specific Role Responsibilities Clinical Education Specialist: 1. The aforementioned responsibilities are focused in scope, but not limited to, the department of hire. Direct Patient Care: CLINICAL PRACTICE - On a daily basis, demonstrates clinical expertise and uses the nursing process to provide safe, appropriate patient care to a defined patient population according to Connecticut Children's and unit policies and standards. POPULATION SPECIFIC - Demonstrates knowledge of the differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families. UNIT LEADERSHIP - Delegates duties and tasks associated with patient care to clinical staff according to hospital policy and their scope of practice. As assigned, contributes to the leadership of the unit by functioning as the Resource Nurse and/or by participating in the professional development of others through preceptor/mentor activities. Supports the unit's/department's work productivity and resource management activities. DOCUMENTATION/COMMUNICATION - Completes all required documentation in a timely manner, according to CCMC policies and standards; necessary information is effectively communicated to all members of the health care team. PATIENT/FAMILY PARTNERSHIP & EDUCATION - Partners with child and family in evaluating outcomes. Monitors, trends, and evaluates patient/family responses to treatment. Provides appropriate education to patients and families regarding all aspects of care according to Connecticut Children's policies and standards; supports the organization's efforts to patient/family education. CCMC STANDARDS - Demonstrates support for the mission, values and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the Connecticut Children's Standards. Bachelor's Degree in nursing required. For Clinical Education Specialists hired after 11/1/16, Graduate Degree or higher in nursing preferred but matriculation in Program required within 18 months of hire and completion of Program required within four years of hire. Education and experience in Professional Development/education is strongly preferred. Experience in adult learning and program development. Minimum two years of acute care nursing experience, preferably in pediatrics Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled