Clinical Specialty Leader

The Clinical Specialty Leader (CSL) is a Registered Nurse (RN) who is the identified clinical role model and content expert for programs or defined areas and scope of nursing practice. Provides leadership in the integration of new knowledge and innovation within clinical specialty area(s) and they facilitate excellence in the provision of clinical care through the implementation of evidence-based standards of care.

Demonstrates a strong knowledge base in specialty practices and systems theory and they utilize their specialized knowledge and skill to positively influence outcomes for individual patients, community populations, nurses and clinical staff within the multidisciplinary team of the organization/system. Leads programs and initiatives that are congruent with the organization’s mission and strategic plan as they contribute to the advancement of nursing and clinical practice at the unit/system, regional and national levels. Focuses on the mesosystem which is part of the larger system that exists to support the microsystem or unit level and supports macrosystem (the larger organization with the infrastructure and governance to support the microsystems.

The CSL partners with the nursing leadership and the interdisciplinary care team to ensure the delivery of safe, quality patient care in compliance with administrative and clinical policies and procedures. Utilizes evidenced based practice to plan, coordinate, and evaluate educational programs for the orientation and development of clinical staff; develops educational programs based on emerging organizational needs, regulatory and legal requirements, and/or quality improvement. May collaborate with physicians and other clinical experts as appropriate to plan education in effort to foster a positive learning environment through skillful communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and effective teamwork.  Works with managers and directors to establish and maintain quality initiates within their respective units. Models transformational leadership behaviors to support a climate of life-long learning, fosters critical thinking, uses evidence to facilitate change and promote professional growth.

The CSL’s decisions and actions are based on ethical principles as outlined by the American Nurses Association. Practices in adherence with the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Nursing Administration: Scope and Standards of Practice for Nurse Professional Development, the ANA Code of Ethics and the Oregon State Board of Nursing’s Practice Act. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Performed majority of the time:

·       Assists in the implementation of new departmental policies and procedures.

·       Considers factors related to quality, safety, effectiveness and cost regarding professional development activities and expected outcomes.

·       Advances the profession and the specialty through mentoring and contributions to the professional

development of others.

·       Leads the coordination of interprofessional healthcare and community resources (e.g., human, clinical, financial, technical, educational, cultural) for integrated educational services.

·       Provides assistance and education based on principles of growth and development by facilitation

of positive learning and practice environments.

·       Determines current and future educational needs of clinicians and employees within their professional sphere of influence.

·       Evaluates diverse learning environments (such as virtual) and their suitability to the organization and

target audience.

·       Models critical thinking and promotes evidence-based practice through educational offerings.

·       Assists the Nurse Manager in the development of an annual education plan based on assessed needs, internal data and ongoing external environmental scanning.

·       Assures programs are consistent with organizational priorities and goals; uses evidence when suggesting new practices or constructing educational programs.

·       Applies principles of implementation science to maintain and sustain practice changes.

·       Participates in departmental meetings and decision-making that affects on-going clinical education.

·       Assists unit managers in clinical areas, by providing assistance with core competencies, coordination and evaluation of educational strategies for competency development.

·       Assists preceptors to develop effective preceptor skills such as conflict resolution, teaching-learning strategies, constructive feedback and methods for fostering critical thinking skills.

·       Creates processes that support seamless transitions to practice and between practice settings.

·       Works collaboratively to plan and implement in-service education for new products, equipment, and policy and procedure changes.

·       Researches and develops curriculum-based learning using online software applications.

·       Follows processes for monitoring educational activities including screening for ethical concerns, commercial bias, compromise of intellectual property rights or conflict of interest within the learning environment.

Performed occasionally but critical to successful performance of the job:

·       Assists in orientation plans, programs and evaluation for new hires.

·       Evaluates instructional design, delivery, learner outcomes, and participant feedback to improve effectiveness of educational programs.

·       Assists with the implementation of special projects as requested.

·       Maintains clinical education files, including records of attendance, course descriptions, and evaluations.

Education:

Required

·       Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Master of Science in Nursing can be used in lieu of BSN.

Preferred

·       Master’s degree in related nursing field.

Experience:

Required

·       Minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a registered nurse with two (2) years recent experience in the specialty area applying for.

Preferred

·       Previous experience in nursing management, nursing leadership and/or teaching.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

Required

All Service Lines

·       Current license as registered nurse in state of Oregon

·       American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS

·       American Heart Association Healthcare Provider ACLS

Peri-op:

·       American Heart Association Provider PALS

Women’s and Children’s:

·       American Heart Association Provider PALS

·       Neonatal Resuscitations Program (NRP)

Emergency Department:

·       American Heart Association Provider PALS

Preferred

·       Certification in Nursing Professional Development, generalist, or specialist practice.

Job Related Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

Required

·       Excellent customer service and communication skills.

·       Ability to effectively manage multiple conflicting priorities.

·       Proficient with word processing, computational spreadsheets, and presentation software.

·       Experience in educational program development including curriculum implementation and evaluation. Experienced in using teaching strategies appropriate to content and characteristics of learners.

·       Presents a professional appearance appropriate to a leadership position.

·       Utilizes computer for production of educational materials and performs library and internet searching.

·       Demonstrates effective classroom instruction.

·       Demonstrates effective web-assisted teaching, including web-based course design.

·       Demonstrates excellent organizational skills and effectively manages multiple priorities and deadlines.

·       Maintains a knowledge base in staff development through experience and on-going education.

·       Acquires skills with multiple educational strategies.

·       Responds appropriately to learner’s needs for clarification or feedback; provides positive and constructive feedback.

·       Seeks feedback from others to improve skills and/or educational offerings.

·       Disseminates research, EBP, and quality improvement findings through activities such as presentations, publications, and consultation.

Preferred

·       Bilingual skills a plus.