Job Summary: Nursing Practice Specialists are essential in coordinating and measuring nursing efforts to improve quality care. They are crucial to the professional development of nurses and positive outcomes for patients and families. Nursing Practice Specialists promote and practice collegial and collaborative relationships with healthcare professionals, patients, families, and other individuals whose decisions influence the health of individual patients, families, and communities. They assume leadership for the application of research findings for the improvement of healthcare outcomes and actively participate in organizational policy review as it relates to direct patient care and nursing practice. Nursing Practice Specialists integrate education, consultation, management, leadership, and research into their role. The Nursing Practice Specialist can independently function as an expert clinician and patient advocate, lead the advancement of nursing practice, and identify opportunities for and assist nursing and/or the appropriate Service Line with organizational and system change.

Qualifications: Current RN license to practice in NC (NC licensure or multi-state (compact) license). MSN or higher degree in Nursing. Nationally certified Clinical Nurse Specialist preferred but not required. If not a CNS, current National Certification in specialty area of responsibility. A minimum of four years clinical experience in a related area and demonstrated expertise in acute care nursing care of specific patient population(s) is required. A thorough knowledge of general and advanced nursing principles, methods and techniques, as well as skill in facilitating the professional development of nursing. Will also facilitate unit-based education in conjunction with the Unit Based Educator(s), be involved in Service Line quality improvement, and facilitate implementation of evidence-based protocols and policies

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability