Critical Care Unit - Education Specialist

Job Objective:

The Education Specialist is a specialized nursing practice that facilitates the professional development of nursing staff and other nursing team members. The Education Specialist is responsible for program coordination, skills and knowledge assessment and implementation of evidence-based practice and development and coordination of quality improvement initiatives. The Education Specialist practices in accordance with American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing Professional Development and Scope and Standards of his/her professional specialty.

Major functions include:

• Integrates advanced clinical concepts and knowledge relevant to leadership, teaching, consultation and research to effect improvements in staff orientation and retention, in addition to effecting improvements in patient care and nursing practice.
• Serves as a clinical consultant and liaison to or between hospital supervisors, patient care associates, families, community members and schools of nursing.
• Provides direct patient care as necessary for educational purposes and in emergency situations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Collects data and information related to educational needs and other pertinent situations.

Collects data from multiple sources in order to define potential issues, problems, and needs.

1. Uses analytical models and assessment tools that facilitate problem solving.
2. Uses current technologies to facilitate comprehensive assessment of individual and organizational needs.
3. Prioritizes teaching skills and knowledge development needs. Works collaboratively with unit leaders and colleagues to formulate and implement a coordinated development plan.
4. Evaluates learning needs of nursing staff based on changes of process, workflow, equipment, and hospital policy using evidence based practice.
5. Utilizes appropriate metrics to demonstrate improvement in patient care based on clinical indicators, statistical data collections, core measures, risk management data, patient and staff surveys and any other valid peer-reviewed resources.

B. Implements strategies and techniques to achieve positive learning and practice environments.

1. Improves staff skills and knowledge using an effective collaborative model for staff education.
2. Improves staff job satisfaction and retention via efficient collaborative teaching modalities, clinical preceptorship and mentoring programs.
3. Participates in actual teaching and training of nursing staff as part of the collaborative team to maintain and enhance staff skills and knowledge within the entire institution.
4. Incorporates concepts for high-reliability in skills and knowledge development. Incorporates teaching methodologies that promote patient safety and evidence-based practice.
5. Works collaboratively with unit leaders and colleagues to evaluate need to modify staff skills and knowledge assessment practices on an ongoing basis.

C. Integrates teaching, consultation, leadership and research to influence plans, enhance the abilities of others and effect change.

1. Provides consultation recommendations that influence the identified plan. Incorporates relevant stakeholders in planning and implementation for required change.
2. Establishes formal and informal consultative relationships to enhance professional development and provide mentorship to other department members.
3. Develops and implements recommendations and strategies to address complex problems.
4. Selects and implements valid and reliable instruments and metrics to measure processes and outcomes.
5. Revises program and teaching methods based on evaluation of data and disseminates evaluation results to appropriate supervisors.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Knowledge with mathematical concepts and the application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Knowledge and ability to practice as defined by California Nurse Practice Act, Scope and Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics in coordination with hospital policy and procedure.
• Knowledge of Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing Professional Development.
• Knowledge of Nursing Sensitive Indicators and demonstrated knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific groups.
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal and regulatory aspects of care, knowledge of legal documents pertinent to unit/area of care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Patient Rights.

Skills

• Skilled in transferring concepts into practical application.
• Skilled in reading, analyzing and interpreting common scientific and technical journals and understanding regulatory requirements.
• Skilled in the nursing process and effective decision making when establishing plan of care.
• Time management skills in providing excellent patient care.
• Skilled in the safe and effective usage of all equipment necessary to provide patient care.
• Skilled in current nursing practices and procedures and the development of a plan of care that support positive outcomes.
• Excellent problem-solving, time management and organizational skills.
• Skills to prepare complete, clear reports and recommendations after appropriate analyses of relevant and reliable information.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Education and Experience:

Education

• Required: Graduate of a school of nursing and enrolled in a BSN (or higher) program. Bachelors of Science in nursing or higher level education preferred.

Experience

• Required: Minimum of three (3) years continuous recent clinical experience. Two (2) of the three (3) years of experience will be required in the particular specialty area in which the Education Specialists will be assigned, i.e. NICU, Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery, Couplet Care, Critical Care, Progressive Care, Tele-Oncology, Tele-Neuro, Med-Surg Ortho, Med-Surg, Perioperative/GI/Out Patient Treatment Center, Emergency Department, Tele-Cardiac, Medical Observation Unit, Mental Health. Obtains and maintains relevant professional certification(s) for specialty area.
• Desired: Five (5) years clinical experience with experience as a preceptor/mentor for nursing students or orientees. Adult teaching experience. Knowledge base of quality indicators and metrics designed to evaluate and improve outcomes.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Current California Registered Nursing license
• BCLS required
• Unit specific specialty certification preferred

Key Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

(Key Physical Requirements)

A full Job Description is available via the link. A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.