Clinical Instructor - Tufts Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders .

In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Clinical Nurse duties : Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the care needs of a designated group of patients or provides nursing care and identified clinical support tasks within the scope of practice for achievement of the patient’s plan of care as directed .

Provides professional nursing care to patients. Requires a nursing license . A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs .

The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education .

A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience .

Typically responsible for : managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.

Job Overview

Under the direction of the Professional Development Director, the Clinical Instructor is responsible for upholding and driving the standard of practice within their respective units / practice areas as set by national and professional organizations, and the most current evidence guided practice.

The Clinical Instructor ensures that competencies for all staff are validated within their defined practice areas. The overall goal of the Clinical Instructor role is the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that translate into practice and contribute to the safety of patients / families and provision of quality care.

In addition to acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitude, specialty excellence includes the evaluation and measurement of current clinical knowledge, proficiency of technical skills, application of critical thinking and performance by members of the nursing team.

The Clinical Instructor leads the implementation and interpretation of these measures and methods and identifies areas for practice improvement within defined area of clinical practice .

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications :

1. Registered Nurse (RN) license.

2. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

3. Three (3) years of demonstrated clinical nursing experience in relevant specialty area.

Preferred Qualifications :

1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

2. Specialty Nursing certifications.

Duties and Responsibilities : The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list .

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Utilizes clinical expertise , integrating nursing theory and practice . Employs evidence-based practice in decision-making and patient care .

2. Utilizes the nursing process for the delivery and management of patient’s care across the continuum of care appropriate to the developmental age of the patient population .

Collaborates with members of the health care team related to patient plan of care , developing practice guidelines, and unit-specific procedures.

3. Develops and monitors systems that support advancement in nursing practice. Uses clinical skills to provide ongoing assessment and evaluation of nursing care.

E nsure s evidence-based standards of care are being practiced clinically .

4. Interacts with , mentors, provides and facilitates feedback to staff including nurses, Clinical Care Technicians (CCTs) and Unit Coordinators (UCs) , to advance nurses, knowledge, skill s, and practices, and capabilities to provide care in changing circumstances.

5. Serves as a resource for patients, family members and nursing staff as issues arise regarding the patient’s hospitalization or care experience.

6. Utilizes the performance improvement process to assess the response to nursing care from patients, families and others.

7. Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.

8. Maintains open communication with managers whose departments provide support services to the clinical area in order to ensure the appropriate level of service at all times.

9. Evaluates and communicates to CND & PDM Manager changing needs of the unit, including staffing requirements.

10. Plans orientation program for employees based on current clinical practice standards and nursing researc h.

11. Coordinates, facilitates , conducts, and evaluates orientation programs and innovative learning approaches for staff utilizing principles of adult learning theory .

12. Implements all aspects of orientation program including teaching formal didactic classes as part of monthly orientation on new employees, affiliating faculty and students

13. Accountable for competence achievement of staff through planning, collaboration, coaching and mentoring.

14. Validates staff competency through various learning methodologies including real time / bedside demonstration and fostering just-in-time education.

15. Conducts / facilitates learning / training workshops for all levels of care providers

16. C ommunicates and consistently supports the philosophy and goals of the unit, department and hospital.

17. Supports the development of staff to serve as preceptor for new employees.

18. Assists in the development and implementation plan of performance improvement activities.

19. Provides advisement for data collection methods for quality indicators.

20. Delegates appropriately to others in accordance with job description and competency level .

21. Supports the ongoing development of staff through coaching, mentoring and role modeling.

22. Collaborates with other members of leadership team in providing appropriate educational opportunities for licensed and unlicensed personnel.

23. Identifies through needs assessment, continuing education opportunities that augment knowledge, skills, and attitudes of all nursing staff .

24. Guides and mentors staff in career development, role transition, and succession planning

25. Participates in and provides leadership to departmental and hospital committees as requested .

26. Assists in the development of practice initiatives through unit-based group activities.

27. Enhances own professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, keeping current with literature, in - service meetings, and workshops.

28. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team : Ensures excellence in outcomes for all quality, safety, patient experience metrics and regulatory requirements ;

Participates in the identification of patient safety issues and highlights these to the Professional Development Director and Clinical Nursing Director

Physical Requirements :

1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing / walking .

2. Lifts, positions, pushes and / or transfer patients and equipment .

3. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching .

4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc.

5. Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases and other transmissible infections .

6. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances .

7. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations .

8. Handle emergency and crisis situations .

9. Subjected to irregular hours .

Skills & Abilities :

1. Excellent c linical nursing practice s.

2. Knowledgeable about continuous process improvement methodolog ies.

3. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to educate staff in the provision of care appropriate to the patient age groups regularly served .

4. Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function well under stressful situations.