Clinical Nurse Educator

Clinical Nurse Educator

The Clinical Nurse Educator is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that support clinical staff competency, professional development, and quality patient care. This role promotes evidence-based practice, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports organizational goals through ongoing education and training initiatives.

The Clinical Nurse Educator serves as a resource, mentor, and trainer for nursing staff, medical assistants, and other clinical team members while supporting organizational initiatives related to quality, safety, population health, and patient outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess learning needs and create educational plans to address competency gaps.
• Provide ongoing education, training, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and organizational regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate clinical competencies through skills validation, return demonstrations, and assessments.
• Collaborate with leadership to support quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Integrate evidence-based practices into clinical education and training programs.
• Maintain accurate records of staff education, competencies, and certifications.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor to nursing and clinical staff.
• Attend Advisory Meetings
• Attend Committee Meetings as Assigned
• Support policy and procedure development related to clinical practice.
• Assist with accreditation readiness and regulatory surveys.
• Coordinate and facilitate orientation programs for newly hired clinical staff including nurses, CMAs, and clinical support personnel.
• Develop and deliver ongoing education programs related to clinical workflows, patient safety, infection prevention, chronic disease management, and quality initiatives.
• Conduct skills assessments, competency validations, and return demonstrations for clinical staff.
• Assist departments with onboarding, preceptorship assignments, and clinical training support.
• Provide education related to vaccines, medication administration, emergency preparedness, and clinical protocols.
• Maintain education records and competency documentation in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Quality & Compliance

• Support compliance with HRSA, OSHA, CDC, CMS, HIPAA, and state regulatory requirements.
• Assist leadership with preparation for audits, accreditation surveys, and compliance reviews.
• Collaborate with quality improvement teams to identify educational opportunities based on clinical outcomes and performance metrics.
• Reinforce evidence-based practices and organizational policies and procedures.

Staff Development & Support

• Serve as a mentor and clinical resource for nursing and clinical staff.
• Promote professional growth and continuing education opportunities.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and foster a culture of learning and accountability.
• Assist with remediation plans and focused training when competency concerns are identified.

Collaboration

• Partner with clinical leadership, providers, infection prevention, and operational departments to support organizational goals.
• Participate in committees, quality meetings, and workforce development initiatives.
• Assist with implementation of new clinical equipment, workflows, and educational tools.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of clinical nursing experience
• Previous teaching or education experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of adult learning principles and clinical competencies
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Basic Life Support (BLS).

Education

• Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license (required)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Experience in healthcare, medical office, nursing support, staff education coordination, or quality support preferred.
• Experience with scheduling, auditing, training coordination, or healthcare operations strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Knowledge of healthcare terminology and clinical workflows preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.

Certifications (Preferred):

• Certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC)
• Advanced certifications as required.

Work Environment:

• Healthcare setting (hospital, clinic, or community-based organization)
• Require travel between sites.
• Combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and demonstrate clinical procedures.
• Ability to lift or assist with patient care activities as needed.