Nursing Professional Development Specialist- Perioperative

About the Job

General Summary of Position: Responsible for the assessment, planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning and development programs that enhance associates performance, promote professional development, or otherwise support the mission, vision, and SPIRIT Values of MedStar Health and the Department of Nursing and perioperative services. These activities include onboarding/orientation, competency management, education, professional role development, career coaching, and collaborative partnerships.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Assessment Planning and Implementation:

• Plans, develops, and coordinates orientation programs for all new nursing personnel assigned to clinical areas.
• Develops, coordinates, implements, or assists with continuing staff development programs for nursing and nursing support staff.
• Identifies learning needs of new nursing/support staff in collaboration with team members based on area of expertise and in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
• Develops educational plans, coordinates appropriate resources, evaluates response to teaching, and follows up with employees in their transition to their positions.
• Implements educational programs in a knowledgeable, clear, understandable, positive fashion utilizing adult teaching strategies and age, culture, and generation-specific principles and incorporating evidence-based practices.
• Provides continuing education activities.
• Promotes a climate for employees that encourages lifelong learning and self-motivation through the application of adult learning principles.
• Assists the adult learner in applying theoretical knowledge in the clinical setting.
• Creates an atmosphere conducive to learning new skills and exploring options for acquiring new skills that encourage professional growth.
• Conducts educational activities that inform, teach, and facilitate adoption of new procedures, technologies, equipment, and patient care trends with continuing education credits where appropriate.
• Collaborates with leaders to implement change that enhances patient care.
• Tracks nursing staff participation in staff development/educational programs consistent with established procedures.
• Maintains library and instructional reference materials.
• Serves as a role model and house-wide consultant on care delivery for patients.
• Utilizes resources to stay within departmental budget.
• Participates in offerings of MNA-approved nursing continuing education provider unit fulfilling ANCC accreditation criteria as per provider unit policies.
• Collaborates with directors and staff to re-assess and enhance knowledge base and clinical practice of nursing staff.
• Plans annual competency validation for nursing/ancillary staff using a model consistent with nursing areas.
• Plans educational activities to meet specialized learning needs.
• Implements educational activities to meet identified learning needs/remediation utilizing adult learning principles.
• Develops and utilizes appropriate evaluation systems to determine effectiveness of educational activities and/or programs.
• Documents employee performance and communicates status to directors for follow-up and/or intervention.
• Provides documentation of participation and level of success during competency/educational programs using standardized processes.
• Assesses/determines learning needs and knowledge or skill gaps requiring remediation.

Professional Support for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement:

• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives for the clinical staff.
• Meets regularly with DON Nursing Education Specialist and Nurse Directors for proactive, collaborative, and performance improvement initiatives and educational needs.
• Participates in departmental meetings, programs, and projects.
• Participates in corporate, community, and hospital councils and committees (Consortiums BLS).
• Utilizes effective communication skills to establish working relationships with all levels of care providers across disciplines and focuses time on areas of improvement to positively impact outcomes.
• Expands current knowledge and maintains certifications.
• Identifies personal learning needs and initiates plans to utilize knowledge of current practice and technology affecting functional area(s) that increases innovation and ensures compliance.
• Attends continuing education programs in order to enhance knowledge, expand practice, and support certification.
• Attends hospital-sponsored training programs as required by the department or hospital and integrates concepts into practice and training programs.
• Works effectively within and between departments.
• Participates on inter-departmental teams and committees, communicating knowledge as appropriate.
• Provides department/units with information and knowledge acquired during participation with interdepartmental teams and committees.
• Demonstrates a constructive approach during all interactions with staff, supervisors, and managers both inside and outside the department.
• Addresses AOP goals in educational activity planning.
• Performs all duties according to hospital policy and procedures.

Department/Unit Specific Functions and Duties:

• Participates in interview and orientation of department personnel.
• Plans and provides education for information system upgrades and/or implementations.

Minimal Qualifications

• Education: Bachelors degree in Nursing required, Masters degree in Nursing preferred.
• Experience: 5-7 years, 5 years of recent acute care clinical experience required, experience as educator, charge nurse, preceptor, unit leader, or working on performance improvement or comparable committee required.
• Licenses and Certifications:
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in Maryland required.
• National Certification in at least one area of expertise within 1 Year required.
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required.
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of internal and external customers.
• Computer data entry skills.
• Ability to use computer applications such as clinical information systems (e.g. Cerner), scheduling software, email, intranet, MicroSoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows).
• Use of copy equipment and fax machine.
• Ability to use and troubleshoot audiovisual equipment (laptop, LCD projector, etc.).
• HIPAA policies related to confidentiality.

This position has a hiring range of USD $89,065.00 - USD $162,801.00 /Yr.