Clinical Nurse Specialist

Legal Entity

Aultman Hospital

Position Summary

A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) that provides expert nursing leadership utilizing the 3 spheres of influence; patient, nurse, and systems. The role requires clinical expertise in the population being served and skills in evidence-based practice (EBP), implementation science, consultation, education, and systems leadership. The CNS will coordinate and guide clinical practice activities and projects, is accountable for collaborating with members of the health care team, and is responsible for maintaining current professional knowledge and competencies.


Department Summary

The Department of Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Practice advances nursing excellence through evidence-based practice, clinical leadership, and professional nursing practice. As a strategic partner across nursing operations, education, quality, and frontline care, the department supports the translation of evidence into practice, promotes standardization of best practices when appropriate, and fosters continuous improvement. Through leadership, collaboration, and professional development, the department strengthens patient outcomes and advances nursing excellence across the organization.

Qualifications

• RN Licensure

• APRN Licensure

• Completion of a Master's or Doctoral program or post-Master's certificate in Clinical Nurse Specialist practice

• Certified as a CNS by a nationally recognized certifying body.
  • Exception: If graduate degree was attained on or before December 31, 2000, and the applicant obtained a graduate degree with a major in a clinical area of nursing from an educational institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization, the applicant is not required to have passed a CNS certification examination.

• Minimum of 3 years of nursing practice. Candidate with previous CNS experience preferred.

• If entering a practice role, must hold an active certificate to prescribe or be eligible to obtain a certificate to prescribe. Employment status is contingent on the candidate's success in credentialing as a member of our Allied Health Staff.

• Current CPR training certificate

Skills

• Strong understanding of evidence-based practice and implementation frameworks

• Comfortable speaking to large groups and presenting

• Detail oriented

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Adaptability to changing work environment or needs

• Computer skills

• Ability to collaborate with members of health care team

• Ability to mentor and educate nursing workforce

Department Skills

• Specialty certification preferred

Responsibilities & Expectations

• This role provides advanced clinical expertise, leadership, and education to promote high-quality patient care, nursing excellence, and evidence-based practice within the inpatient setting. The Clinical Nurse Specialist collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes, enhance nursing practice, and support clinical initiatives across multiple sites, including Canton, Alliance, and Orrville. Serving as a clinical expert and resource within the step-down units, this role leads and supports EBP and quality improvement initiatives, patient safety efforts, and provides education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for nursing staff. Collaboration with physician leadership and interdisciplinary teams is essential to optimize care delivery and operational efficiency.

• Direct Care:
  • Provide expert consultation and collaboration on care of high-risk patients and families within area of specialty
  • Provide direct and indirect nursing care for patients and families. Direct care responsibilities are focused on complex, high-impact clinical situations and populations, rather than routine staffing coverage.
  • Round with patients/nurses and interdisciplinary teams
  • Proactively monitor nursing practice and analyze data for trends
  • Write APRN notes and bill for patient services as indicated

• Nursing Practice:
  • Utilizes evidence-based practices to guide nursing practice and support patients and their families.
  • Develop population profiles and conduct clinical inquiries to determine the need for practice change.
  • Utilizes advanced clinical knowledge and communication skills through role modeling, consultation, and education with nurses and healthcare providers to support nursing practice and improve patient outcomes.
  • Creates and develops evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols, and best practice guidelines using advanced clinical and specialty knowledge.
  • Holds primary responsibility for writing/revising policies, procedures and nursing protocols.
  • Assist nurses and the interprofessional team to evaluate and change practice standards and ensure nursing practice is evidence-based.
  • Represents nursing on departmental or hospital committees.
  • Support professional nursing governance teams.
  • Develop/teach advanced and specialty classes for other healthcare professionals.
  • Mentor nurses in career coaching and professional development.

• Organization/Systems
  • Leads systematic quality improvement and safety initiatives based on gap assessments and data analysis.
  • Drives translation of best evidence into practice and facilitates integration of multiple programs and disciplines across the healthcare system to ensure positive patient outcomes.
  • Lead unit and system level implementation
  • Manages the development and evaluation of clinical policies and procedures.
  • Collects and analyzes data while utilizing collaborative systems thinking to achieve quality, cost-effective patient care and outcomes.
  • Participates in evaluation of products and equipment relevant to nursing practice.
  • Collaborates to standardize nursing practice across all HDS locations as indicated.
  • Disseminate knowledge from research studies and guidelines.

Working Conditions

• Dayshift hours M-F or hours as defined by the job responsibilities. May require an occasional off shift or weekend.

• Subject to frequent interruptions and changes in priority of duties throughout the day.

• Sitting/standing/moving about during working hours

Hazardous Exposure Category

Category II - Includes tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, but employment may require performing unplanned Category I tasks. The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues by exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate protective measures will be readily available to every employee engaged in Category II tasks.

Physical Addendum

Demands

Frequency

Remarks

Lifting 0-10 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Lifting 10-20 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Lifting 20-35 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Lifting 35-50 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Lifting 50-75 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Lifting 75-100 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Lifting over 100 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Forward Reaching

Occasional 10-33%

Overhead Reaching

Occasional 10-33%

Standing

Frequent 34-65%

Walking

Frequent 34-65%

Sitting

Frequent 34-65%

Climbing

Occasional 10-33%

Stairs/Ladder

Occasional 10-33%

Bending/Stooping

Occasional 10-33%

Twisting/Turning

Occasional 10-33%

Kneeling/Squatting

Occasional 10-33%

Crawling

Never

Pushing/Pulling 0-10 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Pushing/Pulling 10-20 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Pushing/Pulling 20-35 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Pushing/Pulling 35-50 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Pushing/Pulling 50-100 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Pushing/Pulling over 100 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Carrying 0-10 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Carrying 10-20 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Carrying 20-35 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Carrying 35-50 lbs

Occasional 10-33%

Carrying 50-100 lbs

Never

Carrying over 100 lbs

Never

Grasping/repetitive sustained

Occasional 10-33%

Fine motor coordination

Occasional 10-33%

Vision: Near/Far/Color

Continuous 66% of the day

Hearing: ordinary conversation/other

Continuous 66% of the day

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. The organization is an EEO/AA Employer Disability/Vet.

The organization will provide reasonable accommodations to employees or applicants with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, who are otherwise qualified to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without accommodation, unless such accommodation would constitute an undue hardship on the organization or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others that cannot be sufficiently mitigated by reasonable accommodation. Any applicant or employee who requires an accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment should notify the Aultman Human Resource Department and request such an accommodation.