Nursing Research Director (RN)

General Summary of Position

The Director of Nursing Research leads the development, implementation, and dissemination of evidence-based practice and research in collaboration with nursing staff, nursing leaders, other health care disciplines, academic institutions, community nurse researchers and research-based organizations. Role models and supports professional practice and lifelong professional development. Contributes to strategic and operational plans and initiatives. Seeks funding and grant opportunities to support evidence-based practice and research activities. Provides education on evidence-based practice and research to clinical nurses and nurse leaders.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and executes a nursing strategic plan for research and evidence-based practice that aligns with the Division of Nursing & Patient Care Services (DONPCS) strategic initiatives.
• Champions the strategic goals, values, standards and policies at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Health.

• Promotes a culture of scholarly inquiry through user-friendly educational offerings, mentoring, fellowship programs and consultancy services to clinical nurses and nurse leaders.
• Establishes research priorities based on current trends, clinical priorities, health care issues and organizational needs and facilitates evidence-based practice and research activities in collaboration with clinical nurses, nurse leaders, other researchers, and health care professionals.
• Collaborate with nurse leaders to assess the learning needs of nurses related to evidence-based practice & research.
• Mentors’ nurses in the development and implementation of evidence-based practice and research projects including identification of clinical questions, appraising evidence, development of proposals, proposal review, implementation and dissemination of findings.  
• Develops and expands methods and resources for collecting, analyzing and interpreting data and information needed for evidence-based practice and conducts research, outcome measurement, management and clinical decision-making; including library resources databases, data collection, institutional review of proposals, statistical support, software applications and information technology.
• Establishes partnerships within the organization and the system, coordinates with stakeholders (e.g. magnet coordinators, nurse leaders, IRB) to promote collaborative research opportunities.

• Prepares and presents ongoing scholarly activities, and research findings both internally and externally. Disseminates knowledge through internal and external publications, peer- reviewed journals and conference presentations. Facilitates nurses’ dissemination of findings through journal clubs, grand rounds, other innovative programs to internal and external audience.
• Guides and mentors’ nurses and nurse leaders to evaluate and apply evidence in their practice; including Nursing standards of care, standards of practice, policies and procedures models of care, quality improvement and staff development programs.
• Contributes expertise and mentorship in the development of nurse-led interdisciplinary research and scholarship. Serves as a Collaborative Governance liaison or chair or co-chair for Nursing Evidence-Based Practice and Research Council and other research committees.
• Recognizes and rewards nurses' professional scholarship activities, including presentations and publications. Establishes and maintains effective relationships and working agreements with key research partners including staff and administrators within MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Health, Institutional Review Boards, academic institutions and other external research-based organizations.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal oral written and electronic communication skills.
• Manages financial resource needs and sources of support for evidence-based practice and research activities including internal and external funding to support evidence-based practice and research activities.
• Promotes Pathway to Excellence & Magnet standards through daily practice.
• Ensures all research activities meet ethical standards human subject protections system policies and regulatory requirements including those for Magnet designation.
• Participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams as appropriate.
• Participates in meetings, serves on committees and represents the department and hospital/facility in community outreach efforts as appropriate.
• Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning through continuous professional development, evidence-based practice, and research activities.
• Actively participates in and contributes to professional nursing organizations, seeks feedback and mentorship when appropriate, and serves as a leader in advancing nursing practice.
• Demonstrates accountability by evaluating personal performance and ownership of actions and decisions.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

• Doctoral degree Doctor of Philosophy – research doctorate (PhD or EdD) in Nursing from an accredited educational program. required

Experience

• 5-7 years of progressively responsible job-related experience that demonstrates a record as an effective leader educator and clinician with a record of research/evidence-based practice scholarship including external presentations and publications required
• 1-2 years of Academic experience preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the District of Columbia required
• Certification in area of specialty within 1 Year required
• Certification in nursing administration by a nationally recognized nursing organization within 1 Year required
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.