Instructor

***This is an ON-SITE position in the El Paso, TX region. Ability to work onsite 2-3 weekdays (8 or 12/hr shift) during the 3-week clinical rotation needed. *May vary based on monthly student enrollment.***

Prelicensure Clinical Instructors (Hourly) are subject matter experts who teach and mentor students when engaged in experiential clinical course work; in a remote/onsite environment. This faculty position varies in the type, length, and intensity of instructional methods and is based upon student and facility needs. The Clinical Instructor works on a team to support an assigned group of students and offers specialized instruction on challenging experiential/clinical course work. Faculty interacts with students in both group and one-on-one settings. The Clinical Instructor ensures students are successful within their clinical placement setting as they oversee clinical learning.

Compensation Expectations:

This role is paid hourly and bi-weekly.  The employee will be required to enter all hours worked in an accurate and timely manner.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Act as a steward for carrying out WGU’s mission and strategic vision.  This faculty must:

• Demonstrate a high level of commitment, effectiveness, and consistency.

• Serves as a professional role model for students in communication, ethical comportment, and problem-solving.

• Provides expertise in an assigned content area and maintains current knowledge in their field.

• Demonstrates an understanding of, and participates in, the implementation of the philosophy and goals of the program.

• Fosters students learning through innovative teaching practices; to include how to perform duties in the clinical setting.

• Responds with urgency to meet student needs and communicates professionally and respectfully with students and all other members of the WGU community.

• Makes appropriate student referrals for remediation or other needs, utilizing WGU policies and procedures.

• Communicates with the student's assigned coach/preceptor as needed to discuss student progress and concerns.

• Provide final review and approval for student's clinical time.

• Offers proactive support and outreach to assigned students.

• Uses technology-based teaching and communication platforms to aid students in the development of competencies.

• Submits electronic clinical student evaluation form(s) after completion of clinical intensive.

• Collaborates with other professionals within the university to promote a positive, student-obsessed atmosphere.

• Responsible for responding with urgency to changing requirements, priorities, and short deadlines.

• Maintains a working knowledge and understanding of relevant state regulations.

• Conducts both in-person and/remote methods of student evaluation

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Must be able to work well under stress and meet deadlines.

• Capacity for self-motivation and working independently.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Aptitude for learning innovative technology.

• Must comply with site specific orientation and onboarding requirements.

• Problem Solving Skills: Investigates appropriate resources and involves partners when appropriate; future-oriented; assesses what will help/hinder achieving goals; focuses on what is important.

• Interpersonal Skills: Deals with others in a considerate, respectful, and unbiased manner; approaches conflict proactively; solicits and shares feedback openly; listens with empathy and maintains composure.

• Accuracy: Draws on information garnered from careful cultivation of a broad knowledge of WGU’s goals and processes; investigates beyond assumptions.

• Adaptability: Course corrects behaviors and communication style to meet the needs of a wide range of situations; tackles obstacles appropriately; is comfortable with ambiguity.

• Reliability: Accountable to others; does what it takes to get the job done; actions are consistent with words; follows through on commitments; exhibits exceptional integrity.

• Attitude: Displays commitment to the organization and to personal growth; self-motivated and able to motivate and inspire others; asserts self appropriately to champion ideas; tells the truth in a direct and constructive manner.

• Initiative: Self-directs with a strong bias for action; leads the way in improvement of performance or processes; displays keen interest in students and organization.

Competencies: 

Organizational or Student Impact:

• Accountable for decisions that impact individual students.

• Facilitates learning experiences that support student's attainment of knowledge and skills.

•  Acts independently in executing teaching practice with specific guidance from senior faculty and program leaders.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Works on diverse matters of various levels of complexity.

• Receives general direction from their immediate supervisor or manager.

• Able to effectively utilize resources to address student concerns and inquiries.

• Supports students' needs to help them achieve course or program outcomes at the individual student level.

• Follows university and department established policies and best practices.

Communication & Influence:

• Communicates with students as appropriate to support student questions and needs.

• Communicates with fellow faculty members as appropriate within and outside of the department.

• Expected to provide feedback regarding discipline and practice leadership.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Considered a contributing and collegial team member.

• Adheres to learning and operational quality guidance and instruction

• Supports initiatives within specialty.

• Displays a positive attitude toward change and supports change management practices

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• Master's degree in nursing; Education is verified.

• Two years minimum Nursing experience

• Work history demonstrating continuous advancement and success in roles requiring creative problem solving and collaboration.

• Unencumbered RN license

• Active, unencumbered license in designated state

• State and federal legislative requirements and college accreditation requirements may apply to maintain the necessary credentialing for this role.

• Work history demonstrating continuous advancement and success in roles requiring creative problem solving and collaboration.

• As needed, support the Health Placement Team to secure clinical partnerships.

Preferred:

• Doctorate, or terminal degree in a specific content area.

• Strong experience with distance education and distance learning students is preferred.

• Terminal degree and all applicable licenses or certifications. 

• Prior experience in clinical teaching/nursing education.

• , support the Health Placement Team to secure clinical partnerships.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

• Specific requirements of the job such as travel and the environment in which the job is performed.