Clinical Practice Nurse Expert (CPNE)

Job Description Summary The Clinical Practice Nurse Expert I (CPNE I) reports to the Unit Manager. In collaboration with the Unit Manager, the CPNE I is responsible for clinical practice on their respective unit(s). The CPNE I functions as a member of a multi‑disciplinary, unit‑based team to provide nursing expertise for a defined microsystem. This position assists in developing quality care initiatives to improve patient outcomes and patient safety, recognizes practice opportunities, and works with the intraprofessional team to help remove barriers and enhance evidence‑based practice standards. Responsibilities Assess clinical practice on their respective unit(s) through rounding, observation, and staffing. Collaborate with ICCE stakeholders and unit leadership to align quality initiatives with health system goals. Use performance measures to identify and assess the delivery of evidence‑based practices and promote higher‑value care outcomes. Partner with the Nurse Manager/Director to develop strategies to promote quality outcomes within the unit. Use evidence to design and direct system improvements that address trends in safety and quality. With the Nurse Manager/Director, implement quality improvement strategies based on current evidence, analytics, and risk anticipation. Partner with Quality and Safety to apply just‑culture principles and safety tools, such as Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) and root‑cause analysis (RCA), to anticipate, intervene, and reduce risk. Assess patient handoffs and transitions of care to improve outcomes. Assess medication reconciliation and administration processes to enhance the safe use of medications across the continuum of care. Use a variety of datasets, such as Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), nurse‑sensitive indicators, National Data Nursing Quality Improvement (NDNQI), and population registries, appropriate for the patient population, setting, and organization to assess individual and population risks and care outcomes. Use information technology, analytics, and evaluation methods to collect or access appropriate and accurate data to generate evidence for nursing practice. Provide input in the design of databases that generate meaningful evidence for practice and collaborate to analyze data from practice and system performance. Identify evidence‑based interventions in collaboration with the health professional team, examine patterns of behavior and outcomes, and investigate best practice by researching current literature to enhance innovative ways to care for the patient population. Competency Management Identify top talent, coach, and develop the clinical skill set. Perform as and identify/train additional skills validators on the unit. Identify population‑based needs, practice changes and monitor performance. Collaborate with interprofessional team to provide additional remediation plan for clinical staff who demonstrate practice deficiencies. Education and Training Provide content expertise for live and online organizational programs as needed based on clinical expertise, knowledge, and skills. Provide just‑in‑time teaching to enhance practice. Promote the development of critical thinking and nursing judgment in collaboration with the care team to address practice issues. Identify potential preceptors with the nursing leadership team. Partner with Nursing Education staff on facility‑wide education initiatives and clinical requirements, ensuring assigned staff maintain current AHA certifications as required, and provide unit‑based education in collaboration with Nursing In‑service staff. Perform chart reviews and audits to ensure compliance with evidence‑based nursing practice. Role Development Exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrate coaching skills to support new and current clinical ladder candidates in improving clinical care processes and outcomes. Collaborate with shared governance and leadership team to increase specialty certification throughout units to meet unit certification goals. Use data to analyze practice opportunities. Serve as a quality‑improvement leader utilizing appropriate tools to address identified needs. Lead and develop staff nurses to become expert practitioners. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in nursing required; master’s degree preferred. Two years of clinical experience in the area of expertise required. Excellent collaboration and consultation skills required. Excellent communication and teamwork skills required. Licensure & Certifications Current South Carolina licensure as a registered nurse or compact state required. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required (AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers or equivalent). Advance Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Life Support (PALS) as required based on assigned unit. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Basic computer knowledge including Microsoft Office. Familiar with quality improvement methodology. Preferred Qualifications Advanced certification in a specialized field. Physical and Mental Requirements Ability to perform job functions while standing (continuous). Ability to perform job functions while sitting (continuous). Ability to perform job functions while walking (continuous). Ability to climb stairs (infrequent). Ability to work indoors (continuous). Ability to work outside in temperature extremes (infrequent). Ability to work from elevated areas (frequent). Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces (frequent). Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions (infrequent). Ability to bend at the waist (continuous). Ability to twist at the waist (frequent). Ability to squat and perform job functions (frequent). Ability to perform pinching operations (frequent). Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands (continuous). Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands (continuous). Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands (continuous). Ability to reach overhead (frequent). Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders (continuous). Ability to fully use both legs (continuous). Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination (frequent). Ability to reach in all directions (continuous). Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted (infrequent). Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted (infrequent). Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (infrequent). Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force (frequent). Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes (continuous). Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance (continuous). Ability to match or discriminate between colors (continuous). Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects and depth perception (continuous). Good peripheral vision capabilities (continuous). Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction (continuous). Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements (continuous). Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations (continuous). Ability to work rotating shifts (frequent). Ability to work overtime as required (frequent). Ability to work in a latex‑safe environment (continuous). Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions (continuous). Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function (continuous) (Selected Positions). Ability to be physically qualified for respirator use, initially and as required (continuous) (Selected Positions). The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need. Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E‑Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E‑Verify program, please visit #J-18808-Ljbffr