Clinical Educator

This position plays a critical role in developing staff to safely care for a broad range of patient populations in a dynamic environment where flexibility, teamwork, and cross-functional support are essential to meeting community needs.

Essential Functions

· Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical education programs that support organizational priorities, patient safety, workforce development, and quality outcomes.

· Develops and oversees hospital-wide orientation, onboarding, annual competencies, and ongoing education for both clinical and non-clinical staff.

· Partners with department leaders to identify learning needs, practice gaps, and opportunities to improve clinical performance, staff engagement, and patient care delivery.

· Supports a culture of accountability and clinical excellence through competency validation, coaching, mentoring, and performance support.

· Promotes evidence-based practice and standardization of care across departments.

· Assists with readiness for accreditation, regulatory surveys, and compliance with CMS, TJC, OSHA, state regulations, and other applicable standards.

· Uses clinical, quality, and safety data to guide educational priorities and evaluate effectiveness of training initiatives.

· Supports implementation of new technology, equipment, documentation changes, policies, and workflows to ensure safe adoption into practice.

· Collaborates with leaders on corrective action plans, remediation, and targeted education related to safety events, near misses, audits, and identified trends.

· Develops preceptors, charge nurses, and clinical role models to strengthen frontline leadership and improve the new hire experience.

· Provides visible support to frontline teams and helps foster a professional practice environment grounded in teamwork, accountability, compassion, and service excellence.

· Supports education needs across multiple departments and shifts, recognizing the unique demands and resource realities of rural healthcare delivery.

Qualifications

Education

· Bachelor of Science in Nursing is strongly recommended.

· Master’s degree in nursing, Education, or related field preferred.

Licensure/Certification

· Current unrestricted Arkansas Registered Nurse license or compact license is required.

· BLS certification required.

· ACLS, PALS, CPI certification required within 90 days of hire. Instructor certification required within 180 days of hire.

· Nursing Professional Development certification preferred.

Core Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Strong knowledge of adult learning principles, clinical practice standards, clinical operations, and evidence-based practice.

· Ability to assess learning needs and design education strategies that align organizational priorities with frontline practice, improve staff competency, and enhance patient outcomes.

· Demonstrated leadership presence with the ability to coach, mentor, influence, and build credibility and trust across all levels of the organization.

· Strong verbal and written communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage both individuals and groups effectively.

· Working knowledge of quality improvement, patient safety, infection prevention, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards.

· Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

· Ability to collaborate effectively with frontline staff, leaders, providers, and interdisciplinary teams to support clinical excellence and workforce development.

· Ability to adapt educational approaches to the unique needs of a rural community hospital, including cross-functional support, broad staff roles, and resource-conscious operations.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic learning systems preferred.

Physical Requirements

· Frequent sitting, standing, walking, speaking, and computer use.

· Ability to move throughout patient care and training areas.

· May require lifting or moving educational supplies and equipment.

Work Environment

· Hospital environment with potential exposure to infectious diseases and other clinical hazards.

· Schedule flexibility may be required to meet departmental and organizational education needs.