Employment Status:Full Time (72-80 Hours Per Pay Period)Job Category:NursingJOB SUMMARY:The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)/Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) is an Advance Practice Registered Nurse prepared at the master’s or doctorate level.
The CNS/CNE is part of the leadership team and collaborates with members of their team to provide and influence optimal patient care and service in their patient population.
The CNS/CNE demonstrates the competencies within the three spheres of influence of their practice model which are (1) the patient/family, (2) nursing practice, and (3) the organization, with the patient being integral to their purpose and practice.
The CNS/CNE encompasses the following roles: clinical expert, consultant, leader, educator, evidence-based practice advocate, inter and intradepartmental liaison, and resource professional.
The CNS/CNE educates and guides the nursing staff and health care team members in the provision of patient care.
This care is consistent with the California Nursing Practice Act, Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, and the Valley Presbyterian (VPH) Code of Conduct.
The CNS/CNE works in collaboration with leaders, physicians, and staff to further the mission, vision and values of VPH.EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:Minimum of three (3) years of clinical experience in their specialty care area.Three (3) or more years of experience in the CNS role preferred.Knowledge of California Nursing Practice Act, accrediting agency requirements, federal, state, and local regulatory requirements; Advanced nursing clinical knowledge and skills; Effective communication skills and the ability to appropriately delegate assignments to other team members; Knowledge and utilization of advanced continuous quality improvement (CQI) techniques and evidence-based practice to improve clinical outcomes; Leadership ability to chair and actively participate on multidisciplinary teams, task forces, and committees; Organizes and prioritizes work efficiently; Knowledge of department budgets and promotes cost-effective utilization of resources; Effective written English language and active listening skills.Ability to identify areas for improvement, and effectively applies the concepts of change theory to promote departmental change; Functions as a positive role model and resource for all team members; Excellent interpersonal skills; Knowledge of adult learning principles and their application; Advanced computer knowledge, ability to research current practice, collation of statistical data, and development of appropriate presentation techniques.EDUCATION:Master’s Degree in nursing with a Clinical Nurse Specialist focus or Masters in Nursing Education, from an accredited school of nursing, requiredLICENSURES/CERTIFICATION:Current licensure with the California Board of Registered NursingCertified by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) as a CNS, as per the California Business and Professions Code, Chapter 6, Section 2838 of the Nursing Practice Act, prefered.Must successfully complete and maintain BLS, ACLS, NRP, and Fetal Monitoring certificationMust successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employmentCurrent certification in obstetrical, maternal, or women’s health nursing from a nationally recognized accrediting organization, i.E.
National Certification Corporation (NCC) preferredMUST HAVES:All required licensures, certifications, mandatory education; along with annual occupational health screenings must be completed prior to the expiration date or by the end of the month in which they are due.
Reference the Educational Requirements: Must Haves, Mandatory and Unit Based policy (in electronic policy management system) for the specific requirements for this position.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (These are the essential job functions for this position.
The essential functions of this job include, but may not be limited to those listed in this job description.
Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others):Advances the practice of nursing by the implementation of innovative solutions that address complex patient care issues through the mentoring of clinical nursing staff.Consults, as a clinical expert, with the provision of care in accordance with facility, state, and federal regulations.Collaborates with nursing, medical staff, and quality leaders to collect and analyze data/develop, implement and monitor improvement plans.Coordinates and assesses educational development and clinical competency of the nursing staff in their specialty area/department(s).Ensures continued nursing competency for both the newly-hired, novice and experienced nursing staff.Develops and coordinates educational programs for patients and their families, staff, and the community.Facilitates multi-disciplinary teams to develop system performance standards to improve patient care services and outcomes.Integrates research through implementation of evidence-based practice in development of policies, procedures, and practice.Leads clinical nursing practice in their care area.Oversees quality and performance improvement projects, benchmarks and hospital established metrics.Promotes safe and timely transitions of care.Serves as a clinical expert in the delivery of safe and effective patient care.The following job accountabilities are not unique to this particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence.
Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large.
Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions.
Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members.
Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.Participates in operational aspects of the department, and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices.
Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the work place.
Maintains a safe environment for self and others.Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting.
Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes.
Participates in education activities and process implementation.
Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job.
They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.WORK ENVIRONMENT:Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances.
Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.Answers phones or pages; may carry a beeper/pager, and/or use a two-way radio.Occasional travel may be required.Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Key for Physical DemandsContinuous66 to 100% of the timeFrequent33 to 65% of the timeOccasional0 to 32% of the time Clerical/Administrative Patient CareFrequent sitting and standing/walking with frequent position change.Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.Occasional/intermittent reaching at or above shoulder level.Occasional/intermittent bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting, and climbing.Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.Continuous use of near vision, hearing and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with customers and co-workers and performing job duties.