Education Specialist​/CCU - Education​/Req

Job Objective

The Education Specialist is a specialized nursing practice that facilitates the professional development of nursing staff and other nursing team members. The Education Specialist is responsible for program coordination, skills and knowledge assessment and implementation of evidence-based practice and development and coordination of quality improvement initiatives. The Education Specialist practices in accordance with American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing Professional Development and Scope and Standards of his/her professional specialty.

Major functions include:

• Integrates advanced clinical concepts and knowledge relevant to leadership, teaching, consultation and research to effect improvements in staff orientation and retention, in addition to effecting improvements in patient care and nursing practice.
• Serves as a clinical consultant and liaison to or between hospital supervisors, patient care associates, families, community members and schools of nursing.
• Provides direct patient care as necessary for educational purposes and in emergency situations.

A. Collects data and information related to educational needs and other pertinent situations.

• Uses analytical models and assessment tools that facilitate problem solving.
• Uses current technologies to facilitate comprehensive assessment of individual and organizational needs.
• Prioritizes teaching skills and knowledge development needs. Works collaboratively with unit leaders and colleagues to formulate and implement a coordinated development plan.
• Evaluates learning needs of nursing staff based on changes of process, workflow, equipment, and hospital policy using evidence based practice.
• Utilizes appropriate metrics to demonstrate improvement in patient care based on clinical indicators, statistical data collections, core measures, risk management data, patient and staff surveys and any other valid peer-reviewed resources.

B. Implements strategies and techniques to achieve positive learning and practice environments.

• Improves staff skills and knowledge using an effective collaborative model for staff education.
• Improves staff job satisfaction and retention via efficient collaborative teaching modalities, clinical preceptorship and mentoring programs.
• Participates in actual teaching and training of nursing staff as part of the collaborative team to maintain and enhance staff skills and knowledge within the entire institution.
• Incorporates concepts for high-reliability in skills and knowledge development. Incorporates teaching methodologies that promote patient safety and evidence-based practice.
• Works collaboratively with unit leaders and colleagues to evaluate need to modify staff skills and knowledge assessment practices on an ongoing basis.

C. Integrates teaching, consultation, leadership and research to influence plans, enhance the abilities of others and effect change.

• Provides consultation recommendations that influence the identified plan. Incorporates relevant stakeholders in planning and implementation for required change.
• Establishes formal and informal consultative relationships to enhance professional development and provide mentorship to other department members.
• Develops and implements recommendations and strategies to address complex problems.
• Selects and implements valid and reliable instruments and metrics to measure processes and outcomes.
• Revises program and teaching methods based on evaluation of data and disseminates evaluation results to appropriate supervisors.

D. Develops and maintains personal skills, knowledge, and competency as necessary to utilize, train, and support users in electronic health records, documentation systems, and other patient care or support technologies in use by clinical staff of assigned area.

• Participates in advanced training offerings to develop skills as a subject matter expert (SME) in systems and processes for clinical documentation.
• Participates in discussions and planning prior to changes in workflow or process.
• Participates in provision of new hire, orientation, renewal, and enhancement training to employees related to…