Job Description:A clinical expert whose primary focus is to collaboratively support clinical excellence with integration of best and evidence-based nursing practice with-in a specialty/practice area. The Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Specialist designs, implements and evaluates both patient-specific and hospital-based programs of care. Serves as patient advocate, nurse leader, consultant, change agent, and brings EBP to a unit-based or service line environment. The NPD Specialist is responsible and accountable for clinical nursing standards of practice, education, research and evidence-based practice. This role shares accountability with other members of the interdependent leadership team for designated performance outcomes related to specific clinical service area. The NPD Specialist participates in organization wide initiative as a member of nursing leadership.

Scope

1. As the subject matter expert in their area of nursing specialty, leads the collaboration with nursing leadership to assess, develop and implements staff development and competency programs.
2. Continually develops knowledge and skills in designated service area(s), and implements strategies to share knowledge and implement improvement programs.
3. Ensures staff competencies, practice patterns, and care coordination processes achieve highest quality patient care outcomes, and demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide clinically competent care.
4. Functions as an expert clinician, role model, researcher, educator and mentor for clinical staff.
5. Identifies staff strengths and opportunities for development through learning needs assessments and structures experiences for staff members' continual learning. Serves as a resource to new staff and preceptors in the orientation process.
6. Incorporates institutional goals into the performance dashboard for service area(s). Interacts with other departments, physicians, staff, and leaders to incorporate their input into the clinical practice and staff development goals for the service area(s).
7. Integrates research and evidence from the professional literature into the practice environment, including the application of research findings, evaluating practice, and collaborating in the performance of clinical research.
8. Develops evidenced based policies, procedures, practice standards, quality improvements, and programs based on research standards and identified opportunity. Utilizes current research with specific emphasis on professional organizations related to their area of clinical expertise.
9. Utilizes data, processes, tools, and communication vehicles to support outcome monitoring. Takes action to continually improve the effectiveness of clinical practice and patient care initiatives based on these outcomes.
10. Participates in organized professional activities and applies new knowledge to development of educational design and instructional materials to support/improve clinical competencies.
11. Leads within shared governance structure.
12. Leads and participates in all aspects of large scale quality and process improvement projects including strategic planning, implementation, and outcomes monitoring.
13. Maintains responsibilities for updating and developing competencies and tracking the progress of new graduate nurses and new hire nurses.
14. Maintains competency and licensure as a Registered Nurse in service area(s).
15. Other duties may be assigned.
16. May be required to float to other departments (within scope of competency and qualifications) based on business need.

Education

Required: Graduate of an Accredited Approved School of Nursing Master's degree in a work-related discipline/field from an accredited college or university.

Preferred: Academic or continuing education in the areas of EBP, change agent, educator, facilitator, and/or coaching. Experience presenting in front of audiences, or has ex erience presenting at local and national conferences; experience creating posters for local or national presentations. Actively enrolled in a Master degree program in a work related discipline.

Certification

Required: Current license as a Registered Nurse in the state of practice is required. Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP) course completion card is required. (ACLS/NRP/PALS as appropriate for unit or service.

Preferred: Certification as appropriate for unit or service is preferred Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Certification

Experience

Required: A minimum of 5 years nursing experience.

Preferred: Training, development of clinical staff and/or Preceptor experience