Clinical Education Specialist (RN) - (Oncology Education & Infection Prevention)

Purpose:

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is internationally recognized for its leadership in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and is the region's only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

As the preeminent institution in western Pennsylvania for the delivery of cancer care, the performance of basic, translational, and clinical research, and the education of the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is exceptionally well-positioned to contribute to the global effort to reduce the burden of cancer.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is currently hiring for a Clinical Education Specialist (RN) to support the education team at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, PA.  This position offers a $6,000 sign-on bonus and will work a Monday through Friday daylight schedule and have a primary focus on Oncology education while assisting with Infection Prevention initiatives.  The incumbent will travel to our Medical Oncology network locations as needed.

The Clinical Education Specialist, a professional registered nurse, has the authority, responsibility, and accountability for delivery of nursing education. The Clinical Education Specialist applies expert knowledge and skills to provide the educational support needed to achieve quality patient care outcomes. The Clinical Education Specialist must demonstrate the knowledge and educational skills necessary to assess, plan and provide the educational programs that are required.

Interested in learning more about the Oncology nursing field and working with the best at the Hillman Cancer Center?  Please check out our Oncology Nursing Blog!
 

Responsibilities:
 

• Conduct infection prevention rounds, observations, audits, and risk assessments to identify opportunities for improvement and promote safe clinical practice.
• Monitor infection prevention trends, review relevant clinical data, and collaborate with leadership to identify patterns, gaps, and action plans.
• Assist with investigation and follow-up of potential infection concerns, exposure events, outbreaks, or clusters in collaboration with Infection Prevention, Employee Health, Quality, and operational leaders.
• Provide real-time coaching to staff on hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection practices, device-related infection prevention, and isolation procedures.
• Actively participates in department or practice-specific quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest.  Facilitates/mentors staff for projects/EBP/research activities. Promotes best practice dissemination (presentations, publications, etc.)
• Receive feedback and direction constructively.Serve as a formal and informal mentor for new staff members and mentor new preceptors to be successful in their role.Serve as a resource/consultant for patients, nursing staff and other disciplines in area of specialty.Participate in department-based Performance Improvement projects.Participate in self-review.Improve knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback or on self-identified developmental needs.Demonstrate a high level of initiative, work independently, and establish priorities to meet department and organizational goals.Obtain and maintain appropriate certifications.Participate in professional and community organizations.Supports educational needs assessments. Demonstrates professional coaching and feedback skills.
• Facilitates orientation and general continuing education programs. Utilize nursing process in teaching staff how to manage the care of patients including assessment, interdisciplinary planning, implementation, evaluation of patient care, teaching and discharge planning.Lead in the development of standards of nursing care and nursing policies.Identify, communicate and respond to meet the learning needs of nursing staff.Develop, implement and evaluate orientation and continuing education programs based on learning needs, clinical priorities and organizational resources.Facilitate staff initiatives to improve patient care.Comply with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions.Promotes patient education. Serve as a clinical practice resource.
• Demonstrate awareness of the impact of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department and organization.Take a leading role in major hospital-wide projects.Assume responsibility for complex assignments and view problems as challenges.Apply creative and innovative strategies in problem solving to achieve desired goals.Facilitates student experiences as appropriate. Develops clinical specialty courses to meet nursing needs. Provides council or specialty project leadership.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by building teams and relationships through mentoring and modeling uplifting and positive communication. Extends trust by acknowledging the contributions of others; listens first, creates transparency in communications, confronts reality, and clarifies expectations.Conveys information and ideas clearly through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message. Perform related duties as required
• Assist with verifying knowledge and skills/attitude-based competencies of direct care staff; assist with ensuring that all direct care providers and direct care staff have received training to address gaps in knowledge and/or skills/attitude-based competencies; assist with planning, implementing, and verifying that all direct care providers/staff have all required skills.