Clinical Education Specialist- Med/Surg

Overview

Functions as a staff development specialist to analyze learning needs and develop appropriate education plans to meet the needs of the service line and organization. Coordinates, influences, and assists with the integration of research findings into corresponding patient care standards and nursing practice. Serves as a strong mentor and guide to Unit Based Educators (UBE).

Responsibilities

Key Accountability

• Educator Role
• Encourages critical thinking and problem solving with UBEs and staff.
• Develops and evaluates clinical orientation for staff in collaboration with the UBEs and leadership.
• Coordinates and assists in development, implementation, and evaluation of education provided to staff using formal and informal teaching methods. Mentors UBEs/other educators in the process.
• Develops and evaluates competency based education.
• Analyzes program evaluations for areas of improvement or opportunities to augment learning.
• Performs needs analysis to determine learning needs from system issues.
• Coordinator/Facilitator Role
• Coordinates programs taught within the organization and at the nursing unit level.
• Serves on committees that plan, solve problems, or direct service line or organizational initiatives.
• Supports an environment of ongoing learning that empowers others, and supports shared decision making.
• Supports the UBEs in preceptor development, and coordination of the preceptor program.
• Analyzes performance gaps and develops appropriate education plan.
• Change Agent Role
• Analyzes the cost effectiveness of practice and education initiatives accounting for risk and improvement of healthcare outcomes.
• Supports leadership and UBEs in regards to concerns/issues around staff clinical competence.
• Demonstrates leadership skills among interdisciplinary teams to create change in healthcare and organizational culture.
• Consultant Role
• Assists leadership with integration of new learning into the practice environment.
• Assists leadership and UBEs with identification of available internal and external resources (i.e. help chain).
• Collaborates with leadership, unit based educators, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Researcher Role
• Collaborates with leadership to support implementation of evidenced based practice into the department setting.
• Seeks to understand through inquiry verse making conclusions.
• Evaluates, develops, and implements quality improvement strategies using evidenced based standards of practice and care.
• Evaluates outcomes of practice, utilizing benchmarks, best practice, or research.
• Leader Role
• Mentors UBEs in adult learning principles and competency based education.
• Uses formal and informal mentoring and “just-in-time” teaching methods.
• Accepts responsibility for maintaining and developing their own skill and knowledge in the clinical area.
• Contributes to and supports leadership in the establishment of an environment that promotes individual growth, job satisfaction, and nurtures professional practice.
• Integrates and demonstrates FOCUS values to guide professional behaviors, while adhering to the policies and procedures of the organization.
• Demonstrates knowledge of federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Demonstrates the knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.
• Other
  
  

This position may be assigned a specific mission to address in an emergency situation to assist in disaster response and recovery as part of the UPH DM Hospital Emergency Incident Command System. Situations of a critical nature may require an individual to perform multiple tasks until additional support can be obtained. Performs functions other than described due to extenuating circumstances.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Identify items that are minimally required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Preferred Or Specialized

Not required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education:

Master’s degree or commitment to obtain a master’s degree within 2 years.

Master’s degree in Nursing Education strongly preferred

Experience:

Three years in clinical specialty with experience in educational programming.

License(s)/Certification(s):

Current licensure as RN in state of Iowa

Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.

Certification in area of specialty or staff development preferred/commitment to obtain; recommend participation in a professional organization.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Writes, reads, comprehends, and speaks fluent English.

Multicultural sensitivity.

Microsoft Office – basic computer skills.

Customer/patient focused.

Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions.

Other:

Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.

• Area of Interest: Nursing;
• FTE/Hours per pay period: 1.0;
• Department: Clinical Professional Devel;
• Shift: Full-Time Days;
• Job ID: 155541;