Clinical Nurse Educator

Position Summary:

The Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) is a clinical teacher for practicing nurses and other members of the clinical team. The role of the CNE is to increase knowledge, competence, and confidence of the nurse during their onboarding period and as they develop their clinical expertise. The CNE will demonstrate expertise in evidence-based practice, critical thinking, effective communication, and professional behavior. As a nurse educator, the CNE is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of education programs within their areas of responsibility. They work collaboratively with the Clinical Nurse Specialist and unit or department leadership when developing orientation and on-going education plans. The CNE works collaboratively with leadership and the care delivery team to ensure compliance with evidence-based practice, regulatory, accreditation and certification standards.

Position Qualification:

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Core Behaviors

Dependability, Attendance and Punctuality.

a. Unscheduled absences and tardiness must be minimal.

b. Properly uses home clock and badges for clocking (if applicable).

c. Calls 2 hours prior to the start of a shift.

d. Demonstrates respect for others time by arriving on time.

e. Is ready to begin work by scheduled start time.

Safety

a. Communication/Teamwork.

b. Safe working practices.

c. Respect for others and patient privacy/dignity.

d. Environment of Care/Employee safety/Emergency management.

e. Incident Reporting.

f. Promotion of safe practices and accident prevention.

g. Hand Hygiene

Compliance and Adherence to Policies, Procedures and Regulations

a. Demonstrates his/her knowledge and willingness to comply with all policies, procedures and regulations.

Organizational Priorities & Position-Specific Responsibilities / Performance Standards

List the major duties/key responsibilities of the position with details on how to achieve that responsibility. Classify each key responsibility under one of the UTMC Organizational Priorities: Service, Efficiency/Effectiveness or Quality/Safety.

Service

Enhances the patient experience by teaching and role modeling UTMC's Always Behaviors

a. Demonstrates compassion and empathy for patients

b. Utilizes effective communication skills in all interactions

c. Understands and implements processes to escalate patient and family concerns

d. Coaches and mentors nurses and other members of the clinical team regarding appropriate communication techniques and behaviors

e. Observes team member behavior and bedside communications with patients, their family and other visitors

Works collaboratively with the Nursing Professional Development department and Clinical Nurse Specialists to develop unit-specific orientation plans

a. Identifies milestones for competency achievement

b. Schedules learning experiences or simulation exercises designed to facilitate learning

c. Meets routinely with the onboarding team member to discuss orientation and progress through the onboarding process

d. Adjust preceptor assignments as indicated to facilitate the learning experience

Efficiency and Effectiveness

Implements unit-based and hospital-wide education plans and evaluates effectiveness

a. Engages participants in learning activities

b. Documents implementation and modifications, including changes or omission of the education plan

c. Uses current evidence-based content specific to the issue or trend (that led to the education plan) to achieve the desired outcome

d. Adjusts materials and teaching strategies appropriate to the situation and the learner's developmental level, learning needs, readiness, ability to learn, language preferences, and culture

e. Communicates department orientation plan to onboarding nurses and other members of the clinical team

f. Demonstrate clinical knowledge for both routine and complex patient care needs and utilize teachable moments at the bedside (Examples: skill training, patient emergencies, protocols, pathways, and TJC)

Assists in evaluation and completion of initial and annual clinical competencies of team members

a. Encourages team members to complete initial and annual competencies on time

b. Monitors team member compliance with meeting target completion dates

c. Identifies barriers for team members completing their competencies and works to remove the barriers

d. Supports department preceptors by assisting with team member clinical training and competency review

Promotes certification of team members

a. Works with nurse manager and CNS to provide opportunities for team members to work toward their professional certification

b. Makes available tools and resources to assist the team member if preparing for certification exam

c. Maintains own professional certification

d. Demonstrate clinical knowledge for both routine and complex patient care needs through instruction and oversight of the team members and clinicians in direct patient care by utilizing teachable moments at the bedside (Examples: skill training, patient emergencies, protocols, pathways, and TJC)

Maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing and professional development practices

a. Participates in educational activities related to specialty

b. Acquires knowledge and skills appropriate to the specialty area, practice setting, role and learner diversity

c. Seeks experiences to develop, maintain, and improve competence in nursing professional development

d. Uses reflective practice and inquiry to identify personal learning needs

e. Uses current research finding and other evidence to expand knowledge, enhance role performance, and increase knowledge of professional issues

Quality and Safety

Collects data and information to validate an identified gap in professional practice and to determine the specific knowledge, skill, or practice deficit or opportunity

a. Assesses knowledge, skill or practice gaps within the unit or areas of responsibility

b. Conducts initial and on-going assessment of individual team member (RNs, NTs) competence

c. Documents learning needs assessment of onboarding nurses

Participates in clinical quality improvement activities as requested or needed

a. Participates on performance improvement committees as appropriate for area of assignment

b. Assists team members in QUEST and other projects designed to improve quality of care or processes

c. Leads quality improvement projects

Assists in the review of patient safety events and team member education that may result from the reviews

a. Consistently reviews patient safety events to identify learning needs of the team

b. Works collaboratively with the CNS and Nurse Manager to address patient safety issues

c. Participates in root cause analysis following patient safety events

d. Works with peers to implement on-going education and updates

Provides bedside care as needed to support the unit or team

a. Maintains ability to take patient assignments

b. Provides bedside care at regular intervals

c. Completes clinical competency assessment annually and on time

d. Seeks opportunities to improve clinical knowledge by attending internal, external, or virtual educational events

Provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession

a. Fosters and maintains a healthy work environment in educational and practice settings

b. Collaborates with other stakeholders to ensure educational programs are aligned with organizational goals and strategic plans (organization plan and Nursing Administration plan)

c. Demonstrates emotional intelligence in decision-making

d. Demonstrates energy, excitement, and a passion for quality work

e. Supports a culture of innovation and risk-taking

f. Supports a just culture

Marginal Responsibilities

Serves on committees as requested or appointed by NEC

Provides direct patient care. Maintains bedside competencies

Accepts special project assignments as requested from NEC or Nursing Leadership Council

Essential Functions

The essential functions are those functions that the team member who holds the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. The term "essential functions" does not include marginal functions of the position.

The performance of key responsibilities must meet expectations as defined in the performance standards of this position description.

Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function. A team member who does not meet attendance standards outlined in the Personnel Policy, Attendance and Tardiness, is not qualified for this position.

Ability to report for work in a condition to perform job responsibilities and essential functions in a safe and productive manner.

Ability to meet the physical requirements for the position.

Ability to get along with others and consistently engage in and promote positive interactions in the workplace.

Collaborate with Nursing Supervisor to identify "hotspots" (patients and/or nurses

Will have knowledge of where the staff nurses with less nursing experience are working

Carry a pager and cell phone

Round on each unit obtaining information about patients of concern

Round on each patient of concern - speak directly with primary RN

Round on staff nurses with less than 1 year experience to assess their patient acuity and offer mentorship as needed

Become familiar with nurses with identified learning opportunities

Respond to all RRTs/Intubation Codes/Code Blues

Assist the nurse at bedside with difficult IVs

Round on patients with CVLs/Foleys

Participates in data collection for nursing initiatives

Handoff Reports to NM and CNS