Clinical Nurse Specialist; CNS-Medical Surgical​/Critical Care

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital:
Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1,062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

The DUH MSCC Clinical Nurse Specialist collaborates with members of the healthcare team to enhance patient care in the medical‑surgical setting by serving as an expert resource and consultant to nursing staff and providing evidence‑based clinical expertise to patients. They are a clinician, educator, consultant, role model and leader. They make clinical judgments based upon a synthesis of current research, concepts, principles, theories, and outcomes to solve complex problems.

The MSCC CNS is a role model for nursing staff and functions as an integral part of a larger interdisciplinary clinical and operational leadership team contributing to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and in providing leadership to the nursing staff and to the organization.

• Support education of nurses and other health care providers to include but not limited to pre‑professional, graduate and continuing education opportunities.
• Mentor health professionals in applying the principles of evidence‑based care.
• Use coaching and advanced communication skills to facilitate the development of effective clinical teams.

• Build effective interdisciplinary relationships to support coordinated, high‑quality care.
• Serve as a clinical resource and consultant to nurses, physicians, and other team members.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration within and across units and services.
• Partner with leaders to develop innovative and cost‑effective care models and programs.

• Promote a culture of clinical inquiry, continuous learning, and evidence‑based care.
• Evaluate and translate research and best practices into clinical application across the system.
• Identify barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence‑based practices and design strategies to improve adoption.
• Lead and participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, effectiveness, and outcomes.
• Use data and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and evaluate impact.
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards of practice, guidelines, policies, and protocols.
• Provide leadership in the system‑wide implementation of quality improvement and innovation.
• Mentor staff in applying evidence‑based practice principles and engaging in research or quality improvement projects.

• Lead initiatives that promote excellence in clinical practice and professional nursing standards.
• Identify system‑level barriers and develop solutions to improve care delivery and outcomes.
• Advance nursing practice through leadership, ethical decision‑making, and continuous professional growth.
• Contribute to a supportive and healthy work environment that fosters staff engagement and retention.
• Support the development of standards, policies, and care protocols to ensure high‑quality, safe, and patient‑centered care.

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments and apply advanced clinical judgment to plan and evaluate care.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence‑based interventions to improve patient outcomes.
• Prescribe nursing therapeutics, interventions, diagnostic measures, equipment, procedures, and treatments to meet the needs of patients, families and groups, in accordance with professional preparation, institutional policy, state and federal laws and practice acts.
• Coordinate transitions of care using system and community resources to optimize outcomes.
• Provide education and counseling to patients and families to promote…