Clinical Nurse Educator (Maquoketa)

Purpose

Facilitate the practice and delivery of safe, effective, ethical, and culturally-competent patient care for infant through aging adult patients. Provides clinical education and evaluation to nursing and patient care staff. Performs direct patient care as required. Supports the management of: human, fiscal, material, and environmental resources in accordance with hospital guidelines, organizational/nursing philosophies, and compliance with regulatory and professional standards, including ANA Standards of Professional Performance, Joint Commission standards and all related JCRHC policies, procedures, and guidelines. Key accountabilities include new staff orientation; ensuring clinical competence; fostering interdisciplinary collaborative relationships; active participation in quality monitoring and performance improvement activities; promoting evidence-based practice through research utilization or conduct of practice research.

This position will also provide coverage to Infection Prevention and Employee Health responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides guidance to staff on proper patient care techniques, safety protocols, and evidence-based practices. Ensures healthcare professionals master clinical skills through different training techniques.
• Evaluate and assess healthcare staff by providing feedback and competency testing, while tracking and documenting testing per accreditation standards.
• Develop training materials and coordinate with trainers to ensure educational and healthcare standards for clinical practice, specific needs of the organization, and evidence-based practices are met.
• Provides ongoing trainings and education to healthcare staff to improve skills, introduce new items, provide updates, specialized topics, and address gaps in knowledge or practice.
• Educates healthcare staff about patient safety standards, infection control practices and ethical practices, to ensure compliance with regulations and policies.
• Encourages staff to engage in research and other activities to improve clinical care and outcomes.
• Coordinate scheduled training sessions and keep accurate records.

Responsibilities and Duties

Education & Training

• Developing and Delivering Training Programs: Design and implement educational programs, workshops, and continuing education sessions for staff, ensuring they are up-to-date on the latest clinical practices, technologies, and regulatory requirements.
• On-the-Job Training: Provide hands-on training to staff, guiding them through clinical procedures and helping them gain proficiency in new technologies or techniques.

Competency Assessment and Skill Development

• Assess Staff Competency: Evaluate staff proficiency in specific tasks or procedures through observations, assessments, and simulations.
• Identify Training Needs: Assess gaps in knowledge or skills and design training programs to address those needs, ensuring staff are equipped to provide safe and effective care.
• Provide Feedback and Mentorship: Offer guidance and constructive feedback to staff, helping them improve performance through coaching and mentoring.

Quality Assurance and Improvement

• Promote Best Practices: Ensure that staff are following evidence-based practices, guidelines, and policies to ensure optimal patient care.
• Promote Patient Safety: Educate staff on safety protocols, infection control practices, and patient care standards to ensure high levels of safety and quality in patient care.
• Ensure Compliance with Regulations: Provide staff training on compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory standards, such as HIPAA, OSHA, or Joint Commission requirements.
• Monitor Education Outcomes: Track and assess the effectiveness of educational programs, ensuring they meet established goals and standards for patient care and compliance.

Curriculum Development and Updates

• Create Educational Materials: Develop and update training manuals, handouts, presentations, and other educational resources to support learning.
• Adapt Curriculum: Modify training content to reflect changes in medical practices, technology, healthcare policies, or patient care needs.
• Manage Educational Resources: Ensure that resources, such as training tools, equipment, and online platforms, are available and accessible for staff.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work with Multidisciplinary Teams: Collaborate with clinical and administrative teams to develop and implement training programs that meet the diverse needs of staff across various departments.
• Facilitate Interdisciplinary Education: Promote learning across disciplines to foster teamwork and collaboration among physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and other staff.
• Provide Regular Reports: Report on training outcomes, staff progress, and areas for improvement to healthcare administrators and leadership.
• Foster Communication: Encourage open communication and feedback among team members and departments, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Evaluation and Feedback

• Evaluate Training Effectiveness: Use feedback from participants, observations, and performance metrics to evaluate the success of educational initiatives and make improvements where necessary.
• Track Staff Progress: Monitor and document staff development, training completion, and competency levels to ensure all staff meet necessary requirements and qualifications.

Leadership and Advocacy

• Support Organizational Goals: Align educational initiatives with the healthcare organization's mission, values, and strategic goals.
• Lead by Example: Serve as a role model in terms of professionalism, ethical behavior, and commitment to patient-centered care.
• Foster a Culture of Learning: Advocate for a supportive learning environment where staff feel encouraged to grow, learn, and enhance their skills.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain Training Records: Keep accurate records of staff training, competencies, and continuing education activities.
• Manage Educational Resources: Ensure that training equipment, materials, and resources are available and in good condition.
• Budgeting and Planning: Participate in budgeting for educational programs, including determining needs for resources and materials.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice

• Encourage Research Utilization: Promote the use of current research and evidence-based practices within the clinical setting, incorporating the latest scientific findings into staff training.
• Support Clinical Research Projects: Assist with or guide staff in clinical research initiatives aimed at improving patient care and outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Competencies 

• Knowledge of clinical practices, procedures, patient care protocols and evidence-based practices 
• Familiarity with clinical guidelines, standards of care, and healthcare regulations 
• Awareness of accreditation requirements 
• Knowledge of clinical technologies, electronic health record systems 
• Effective written and oral communication skills, presentation skills, and use of multimedia tools .
• Organizational and time management skills 
• Ability to guide, support, and mentor staff 
• Design and evaluate educational programs that are relevant, engaging, adaptive, and meet organizational needs 

Supervisory Responsibility

Advances Direction: The job requires accountability for clinical competence. The employee will check the quality of work; provide guidance, instructions, training, and direction to others. The job requires some formal or official supervisory responsibility. The employee is expected to provide information or suggestions on human resources matters. 

Materials Responsibility 

Limited: Work requires limited responsibility for material resources. Examples of resources could include supplies, equipment, inventories, small budgets, and other similar material assets. The employee has a limited amount of control over these resources. The cost of errors is also limited in terms of damage, waste of financial loss. Problems associated with material resources are not complex. The volume of resources may vary, but the level of difficulty in dealing with these resources is uncomplicated. 

Key Relationships 

Co-workers/JCRHC Employees, General Public/Visitors/Volunteers, Physicians/Medical Office Staff, Students/Outside Instructors, Patients, Families, and Significant Others 

Position Specifications 

Education: Associates Degree, Field of Study Nursing 

Special Training: BLS; Dependent Adult/Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training within the timelines established in the Licensure, Registration, Certification and Life Saving training policy. 

Training Preferred: Baccalaureate degree in nursing or clinical certification; ACLS, PALS, ENPC, TNCC, NRP, CPI 

Licensure / Registration: Registered Nurse in Iowa 

Experience: More than 2 years’ experience required. Thorough knowledge and understanding of clinical protocol, procedures, and standards within area of nursing expertise. Ability to provide operational guidance and leadership to clinical staff. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate individual patient care needs. Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups. 

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