Staff Development Instructor - RN (Gracedale Nursing Home)

Staff Development RN Position

The Staff Development RN position performs health care training, provides direct instruction, and assists with in-service program development and administration. Responsibilities include the coordination of an in-service educational program, including managing the training needs and provisions with other institution staff, as well as conducting training sessions. This position reports directly to the Staff Development Director and exercises limited supervision during orientation and training over the following job classifications: Unit Clerk, Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and Registered Nurse (RN).

Essential duties of the position include developing, scheduling, and presenting in-service courses for professional, technical, and ancillary personnel of the nursing service, including ongoing courses of study and singular topics. Conducts formal nurse's aide programs. Reviews new employee performance by observing behavior in sessions, discussing progress, and working with them in lab and on the nursing units. Holds conferences, evaluates progress, and makes basic assessments of skills acquisition. Makes notes of progress and identifies problems and other situations utilizing the Gracedale probationary performance evaluations and the individual program evaluation tools. Discusses evaluations with higher-level nursing instruction staff and recommends alternative courses of action. Manipulates employee's orientation schedule in order to meet their individual needs. Provides ongoing evaluation of nursing staff as needed. Presents general orientation sessions for all employees and extended orientation sessions for all new nursing service staff. Presents training and retraining sessions on topics such as the implementation of new patient care policies and procedures, infection control, safety, new nursing equipment, and other subjects. Assists floor nurses with troubleshooting and/or procedures as necessary. Identifies books and other instructional materials for use in in-service programs. Designs, writes, copies and/or otherwise produces handouts and other training materials for use in training sessions. Develops, or assists in the design of, examinations for courses. Coordinates schedules and training efforts with department heads and other institution staff. Recommends programs, schedules, make-up sessions, and other activities to ensure established program is carried out. Maintains a comprehensive electronic tracking system which captures attendance, performance, and other records in order to prepare reports of activities and results for use by facility administration, State or other regulatory agencies.

Required minimum qualifications include graduation from an accredited school of nursing and at least two (2) years of satisfactory full-time experience in professional nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN). One (1) year in long-term care preferred. This includes meeting resident's needs through direct care, supervision, or education; and at least one (1) year of full-time, or full-time equivalent, professional work experience in an educator role preferred. Possession of a current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Pennsylvania is also required. Must complete Feeding Program training. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) candidates may be hired in this role if they meet the following requirements: must be currently attending an accredited school with one (1) year remaining until Registered Nurse (RN) license is obtained. Proof of current enrollment status must be provided to Human Resources upon hire. Must possess a current and valid Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in Pennsylvania. Must provide documentation to Human Resources, within one (1) year of hire, of graduation and proof of Registered Nurse (RN) license in Pennsylvania. Failure to obtain licensure within one (1) year of hire shall be just cause for removal from the position, or termination of employment.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include thorough knowledge of nursing and other patient care goals, objectives, principles, and practices commonly employed in residential nursing facilities. Knowledge of organizational, functional, and operational structure commonly found in residential nursing facilities. Knowledge of facility patient care and administrative policies and procedures and general job requirements pertaining to the design and structure of orientation sessions. Knowledge and utilization of current, effective training strategies through attendance at webinars, teleconferences, workshops, and/or seminars. Basic knowledge of in-service education requirements promulgated by the State and other licensing authorities. Basic knowledge of adult education principles and practices. Ability to instruct individuals and groups. Ability to identify training needs and to design and implement educational programs in response. Ability to maintain a flexible schedule in order to perform training duties across all shifts. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, trainees, employees, county officials, and the general public. Ability to operate a personal computer and secure information from established data processing, spreadsheet, word processing, database, and graphics programs. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and in writing.

Tools and equipment include telephone, personal computer/laptop (including word processing and other specialized software), fax machine, copy machine, overhead projector, video equipment, VCR/DVD players, and implements used for writing, i.e. pens, markers.

Physical demands include standing, walking, sitting, talking, or hearing, and must possess agility and strength sufficient to lift, support, and maneuver heavy patients of limited physical capacity. Must occasionally lift and/or move twenty-five (25) to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment is frequently required to multi-task in office, patient care, and classroom-type environments. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, but moderately loud in the classroom, lab areas, and patient care areas.

Selection guidelines include formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. FLSA status: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME) DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE PAY GRADE: CS/GR27 UNION STATUS: NON-UNION Updated July 2025