Position Summary:

The Clinical Nurse Educator at Codman Square Health Center plays a crucial role in promoting excellence in clinical practice and professional development among nursing and clinical support staff. Reporting to the Primary Care Nurse Manager, the Clinical Nurse Educator is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs, including orientation, in-services, and ongoing support, to enhance the knowledge, skills, and clinical competence of clinical personnel. The Clinical Nurse Educator collaborates closely with nursing leaders, clinical staff, and other stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high-quality and evidence-based patient care in line with the health center's mission and vision.

The Clinical Nurse Educator assumes continuous responsibility for clinical oversight regarding staff education, assessment of competencies, participation in the clinical management of patients to demonstrate best practices, assistance with new technology, developing procedures and policies, and partnering with nursing leadership in performance improvement initiatives. This includes determining the effectiveness of patient care strategies and effectively communicating those results to the staff through education and necessary changes in practice to achieve and maintain excellent patient care and clinical outcomes.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Educational Program Development: Design, develop, and implement comprehensive educational programs and training sessions for clinical staff. These programs may cover topics such as disease management, chronic care, preventive health, patient education, infection control education and best practices.
• Clinical Competency Assessment: Regularly visit all units and monitor all activities to identify any deficiencies. Conduct ongoing assessments of clinical staff to identify areas for improvement and to ensure compliance with established clinical protocols and standards including clinical practice and documentation. Develop action plans for addressing deficiencies, and knowledge gaps across departments.
• New Staff Orientation: Facilitate all aspects of orientation program(s) for new clinical staff, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver effective patient care across all departments.
• Preceptorship Program: Create and oversee a preceptorship program for new hires and nursing students, ensuring a structured and supportive learning experience during their orientation and integration into the healthcare team. Develop guidelines, training materials, and evaluation mechanisms for the

preceptorship program to include assisting in the growth of staff in developing them as preceptors and mentors.

• Continuing Education: Stay updated on the latest developments as it relates to policies and procedures, compliance and regulatory agency requirements. Plan and deliver continuing education opportunities for nursing and clinical support staff to maintain their licensure and certifications.
• Clinical Training and Skills Development: Organize and lead hands-on training sessions for clinical procedures, medical equipment usage, and other relevant skills to enhance the clinical competency of staff. Monitor the progress of clinical staff in meeting educational goals and maintain training data spreadsheet.
• Quality Improvement Initiatives: Participate in quality improvement initiatives, assisting in the development and implementation of evidence-based practices and protocols to enhance patient care and safety - as assigned.
• Clinical Research and EBP: Facilitate the integration of current research findings and evidence-based practices into clinical care, supporting staff in applying the latest evidence to patient treatment plans.
• Performance Evaluation: Contribute to the evaluation of clinical staff performance, offering feedback and support for professional growth and development.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate with other members of the healthcare team, including physicians, nurse practitioners, residents, infection control manager, and administrative staff, to ensure seamless care coordination and the achievement of patient-centered care.
• Mentoring and Support: Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to nursing and clinical support staff in their professional development, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Documentation and Evaluation: Maintain accurate records of educational activities and evaluations. Regularly assess the effectiveness of educational programs and make necessary adjustments based on feedback and outcomes.
• Positive Outlook: Approach change in a positive manner, motivate staff to work as a team, accept constructive criticism and learn from it.
• Infection Control: Collaborate with infection control manager in implementing activities related to infection prevention and control. Attends and participates in meetings and/or committees as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited BSN or ASN program. BSN or MSN strongly preferred. Ability to obtain BSN within 18 months from date of hire.

Current and unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in MA

Proven experience as a clinical educator, nurse educator, or similar role in an ambulatory care setting

Strong clinical knowledge and expertise in primary care, including chronic disease management, preventive health, and patient education.

Excellent and effective written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent and effective presentation skills.

Ability to creatively adapt educational content to diverse audiences and learning styles.

Knowledge of educational and instructional design principles.

Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Proficiency in using technology for educational purposes.

Demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

Willing to obtain certification in Primary Care.

Role includes evenings and weekends to rotation as needed to meet the needs of staff working off hours.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

Must be able to lift 10 pounds and load onto shelves.