Clinical Nurse Educator

Overview

Assumes a leadership role in assessing, planning, developing, coordinating, delivering and evaluating educational programs for licensed and unlicensed nursing staff. Serves as the clinical expert for the area of responsibility.  Educational programs include orientation, continuing education/in-services, coordination of innovative programs as assigned, and competency management.

Responsibilities

Assesses ongoing staff educational needs using a variety of data sources and techniques including formal and informal queries of staff, nursing leaders and other stakeholders. Gathers data related to staff performance, safety issues and trends.

Plans, develops, coordinates and teaches clinical education programs which include orientation, continuing education/in-services, and competency management.

Ensures orientation and ongoing training of new and current educators.

Serves as the clinical expert for the area of responsibility and maintains clinical expertise needed to carry a staff nurse assignment.

Serves as an educational resource to other departments including participating on various teams as needed.

Uses evidence-based teaching strategies, techniques and technology to promote positive learning and practice environments.

Routinely rounds on staff during the staff’s shift of duty to assess learning needs, troubleshoot learning or performance issues and provide education. Participates in unit staff meetings as needed.

Assists in data collection related to educational needs of staff on an ongoing basis.

Participates in ongoing development, revision and validation of staff competencies.

Develops and delivers general and/or unit specific continuing education programs based on identified learning needs; responsible for design, implementation, evaluation and recordkeeping of these programs.

Develops and maintains electronic records and reports required to document educational activities including program evaluations.

Maintains accurate, well-organized records.

Participates in the development, education and interpretation of policies, procedures and guidelines.

Integrates ethics, regulatory and best practices in the development of educational activities as applicable.

Coordinates and assists with staff education related to new equipment.

Maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing professional development practice as well as instructor status of AHA courses. Affiliation with professional organizations encouraged.

Assures education for CNE is documented according to ABN guidelines

Stays well-informed about of industry standards applicable to area of practice.

Achieves continuous, measurable improvement in areas of responsibility.

Provides updates for Nurse Managers regarding the performance of staff.

Escalates clinical/safety concerns appropriately and in a timely manner.

Maintains technical skills to operate clinical equipment and serve as a resource for staff.

In addition to above elements:

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors, and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Must have current Alabama RN license. BSN in Nursing required, Master’s preferred.  A minimum of 3 years RN experience for department(s) served. Must be able to work in direct patient care on nursing unit in area of your expertise by carrying out a typical staff nurse assignment. Teaching and leadership experience preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. Computer skills required with knowledge of various software programs and educational technology such as Outlook, Power Point, Publisher, Word, Excel and others preferred.  Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required as well as all additional minimum training required to the nursing area of your expertise and assignment. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

Working Conditions

WORK CONTEXT

• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Must be able to perform public speaking
• Ability to delegate to team members and students
• Address conflict and stressful situation
• Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
• Dealing with unpleasant or physically aggressive personalities
• Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting
• Must be able to work in groups
• Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
• Must be meet time pressure and time lines
• Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions
• Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction
• Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop and lift
• Must be able to run in an emergency
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and must be able to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.