Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

The Nursing Professional Development Specialist provides clinical and nursing professional development expertise as an educator, leader, consultant, facilitator, change agent, and researcher to support the organization in the provision of quality patient care by helping to ensure the clinical competence of nursing staff and foster the delivery of evidence-based nursing practice. This occurs through the facilitation of the educational process through assessment, development, planning, implementation and evaluation of clinical competency assessment, continuing education, and leadership development. Responsibilities include developing and teaching orientation, in-service education and continuing education programs. The Nursing Professional Development Specialist manages complex programs and projects requiring effective facilitation of cross-functional teams, and strong vertical and horizontal leadership relationships, to drive improvements in clinical and professional role performance, patient care quality, cost and satisfaction outcomes among patients, families, and health care providers. The Nursing Professional Development Specialist utilizes evidence-based practices and research that focuses on the knowledge and skills required to care for patients in the assigned area, including quality improvement, safety and regulatory/accreditation requirements, and outcomes evaluation of programs, projects, education and training. The Nursing Professional Development Specialist collaborates with the leadership team and staff regarding patient care and staff performance issues, participates in setting standards, and maintains knowledge and skills in the areas to which assigned. In addition, as a role model of professional behavior, the Nursing Professional Development Specialist is instrumental in creating a professional nursing climate within the organization to meet the needs of diverse units. Demonstrates principles of Packard Quality Management System in achieving efficient, effective standard leaders work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

EDUCATOR:

Conducts systematic and ongoing learning needs assessments of individuals and/or groups within assigned units and organization-wide (as appropriate) using a variety of techniques and sources.
Identifies educational objectives based on assessment data, quality improvement and regulatory/accrediting bodies' requirements.
Develops educational programs for nurses at all stages of their career development that are culturally sensitive, age appropriate, and family centered after a complete review, validation and prioritization of needs and within available budget, staff and other resources.
Plans, prepares and maintains materials for use in educational programs for accuracy and relevance to the target audience.
Teaches content as needed and/or assigned within clinical expertise in formal and informal settings with a focus upon improvement of skills and retention of knowledge using appropriate strategies, technologies and adult learning principles.
Ensures that educational activities are implemented in a professional and timely manner, adjusts content and teaching strategies appropriate to learner needs, and documents teaching/learning process and outcomes in accordance with standards.
Conducts evaluations of assigned educational programs to determine if the purpose and objectives have been achieved and to identify areas for improvement in course design, content, and delivery.
Evaluates the impact of educational programs on improving patient care, quality, cost and satisfaction.

LEADER:

Serves as a role model for education and professional practice and to promote excellence and safety.
Integrates ethical principles in all areas of practice. Role models and promotes the concept of life-long learning.
Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nursing practices in collaboration with others to ensure that nursing and the organization's goals and mission are in alignment.
Networks throughout the organization and in the community with the goal of exchanging knowledge and expertise.
Markets staff development and continuing education programs.
Develops standards for educational practice in own setting. Develops and/or provides input into the capital and operating budgets.
In leading complex project and program teams, demonstrates principles of project management including identification of plan, timeline, stakeholders, desired metrics and outcome targets, budget, communication and evaluation.

CONSULTANT:

Identifies opportunities for staff development consultation on his/her own initiative.
Collaborates with Nursing and Hospital Administration to recommend educational strategies to ensure compliance with requirements and standards of external regulatory and accrediting organizations.
Serves as an educational consultant working with intra- and inter-disciplinary teams to brainstorm, problem-solve, and participate in projects relating to policy, procedure, program development and strategic planning.
Serves as a resource to staff designing needed educational experiences.
Responds to requests for consultation from other hospitals and the surrounding community.

CHANGE AGENT AND FACILITATOR:

Demonstrates knowledge of select change theories and applies principles to support change within the organization.
Facilitates the adult learning process, creating a climate that supports learning across the organization.
Ensures that educational programs are congruent with organizational missions, values, and goals.
Identifies and recruits internal and external resources for educational activities.
Identifies which changes should be made through participation in various activities such as committees, projects, and strategic planning meetings.
Participates in review of activities or processes for assigned area and department.
Responds to changes in nursing practice and develops programs to support those changes.
Facilitates the initiation of, adoption of, and adaptation to organizational change.
Influences policies, procedures or legislation to create change.
Fosters a positive attitude regarding the benefits and opportunities of life-long learning.

RESEARCH ROLE:

Supports the integration of research into practice.
Provides information to document effectiveness of role as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist.
Facilitates the development of staff members' knowledge and skills in the research process and use of evidence to improve nursing practice.
Evaluates studies for quality and applicability to patient care or educational programs.
Applies evidence-based data for improving professional development activities, nursing practice, and patient outcomes.
Applies research findings in the development of policies, procedures and guidelines.
Participates in the research process in a variety of ways, such as serving as an investigator, protocol director, collaborator, data collector or evaluator.
Applies appropriate measurement tools in quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.

Education: Masters of Science in Nursing Education or Master in Education (MED) or Masters in Nursing and equivalent coursework in curriculum development, adult learning theory, learning needs assessment, and learning outcome measurement from an accredited college or university.
-OR-

A Master's degree in Nursing and completion of a graduate nursing education certificate from an accredited institution.

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible nursing experience
License/Certification: BLS (Basic Life Support) - Valid BLS certificate for health care providers that meets the requirements of and is recognized by the American Health Association
License/Certification: CA Registered Nurse (RN)
-AND-

Board Certification as Nursing Professional Development Specialist required within three (3) years of job acceptance.

KNOWLEDGE

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education or licensure/certification.

Ability to apply a professional nursing code of ethics and professional guidelines to clinical practice click apply for full job details