Casual Assistant Clinical Instructor (RN) - School of Nursing (Harrisburg)

Purpose:
A nursing professional who has the authority, responsibility and accountability for the clinical instruction of students at the Schools of Nursing at UPMC. The position requires clinical competence as a professional nurse and the ability to instruct, guide and evaluate nursing students during the provision of nursing care to patients during clinical practicum experience.

Responsibilities:
 

• Reflects a commitment to nursing, the school and the program goals. Explores creative and innovative teaching learning strategies during conference and on the clinical unit. Serves as a professional role model for students in the clinical area. Works cooperatively with other faculty members to achieve school goals.
• Works cooperatively and productively to achieve the school goals in accordance with the mission and values of the parent organization. Maintains open communication with other health care team members to achieve academic and organizational goals. Understands how the concepts of trust, respect, professionalism and caring are utilized to build an organizational climate that fosters the development of the student. Applies principles of dignity and respect in meeting the diverse learning needs of students in clinical practice. Resolves and manages conflict effectively and in a timely manner. Creates an environment which recognizes and values differences in students, peers, patients, families and communities. Coaches students on cultural diversity and civility in the educational environment.
• Models critical and reflective thinking in the clinical area. Utilizes information technology skillfully to support the teaching learning process. Demonstrates interest and respect for learners through mentoring and knowledge sharing. Provides quality instruction to groups of students in the clinical area utilizing teaching learning concepts reflective of best practice in nursing education. Provides timely, thoughtful and constructive feedback and evaluations to learners. Establishes and maintains positive, caring relationships with students, faculty, management, patients/families and all other members of the health care team. Works productively and effectively within a complex educational environment. Creates meaningful clinical learning assignments based on student learning needs. Demonstrates sound clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities required as related to various aspects of the teaching-learning process. Utilizes critical thinking skills necessary to lead students in the application of the nursing process in the clinical area.
• Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning as evidenced by continuous formal and informal education. Participates in self-review by critically analyzing strengths, areas for improvement in relation to performance as a clinical instructor. Receives and utilizes constructive feedback to improve clinical teaching. Demonstrates clinical competence in order to provide the highest quality of clinical instruction for nursing students.
• Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical teaching. Assesses student performance to ensure care reflects evidenced based nursing practice. Shares outcomes from improvement projects with other faculty and schools of nursing.