Clinical Nurse Specialist

Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator

The Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator functions in the role of expert clinician, educator, and researcher in the Surgical Services. In collaboration with the unit directors and nursing staff, the Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator monitors the clinical care of patients and provides clinical support to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Incorporated within each of these role functions, the Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator is a role model, patient advocate, and change agent. The primary focus of this position is the advancement of expert nursing practice. The Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator utilizes the nursing process (Assessment, Planning, Intervention and Evaluation) as it applies to clinical practice, education, competency validation and program development. The Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator role models this process to staff members who provide direct care for patients. Through involvement in clinical consultation and direct patient care, the Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator assesses and improves the patient care process for these specialty patient populations. The Surgical Services Clinical Nurse Educator collaborates with other healthcare professionals to ensure that evidence-based practice is implemented and understood by the patient care staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) or obtain in 24 months upon hire
• Current and valid Registered nurse license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or from a state that is part of a Compact agreement with Virginia or can obtain licensure in VA within 60 days of hire
• Minimum of 3 years as a Registered Nurse in a Surgical Services setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in related field of nursing

Skills:

• Able to communicate well with customers (employees, volunteers, MDs and their personnel, managers, peers, community groups, and individuals) both verbally and in writing: able to hear normal conversational tones and read normal print.
• Able to speak clearly and fluently in English.
• Demonstrated clinical expertise in nursing practice and knowledge of adult learning principles.
• Demonstrated interest in professional associations and other sources of career and knowledge development.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated self-direction, creativity, intellectual curiosity, and accountability.
• Unit and annual competencies to be completed each year.
• Annual education required per hospital certification(s).