Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Full Time St. Mary's Hospital

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a registered nurse with clinical expertise within a selected area of nursing. The CNS functions as an educator clinical expert consultant and researcher for the nursing staff. Collaborates with nursing leaders and other interdisciplinary staff to achieve patient outcomes. Leads facilitates and manages day-to-day clinical improvement activities related to nursing practice and process. Work function is targeted toward achieving quality cost-effective evidenced based outcomes. Goals for targeted populations are attained through the synthesis of comparative clinical and aggregate data development and application of standard indicators and design and development of innovative programs.

Essential Job Functions

• Demonstrates advanced specialized knowledge of nursing practice issues related to clinical specialty

• Leverages data to identify trends; shares measures of success and areas of opportunity with the interprofessional team

• Collaborate with the interprofessional team and clinical unit leadership to identify areas of opportunity and construct improvement plans

• Facilitates change and collaborates with the healthcare team to identify gaps barriers and practice improvement

• Support orientation competency and continuing education of staff in the clinical environment

• Acts as a patient safety advocate by participating in ongoing quality improvement in the hospital. Incorporates the professional practice model into care delivery.

• Analyzes the practice setting in a continuous improvement framework

• Establishes and maintains standards of practice at the client unit hospital corporate community and national levels

• Provides innovative and collaborative leadership in professional and clinical practice by role modeling mentoring and serving as a clinical consultant

• Initiates and participates in strategic planning at all levels of the health care system

• Facilitates and interprets research incorporating appropriate findings into practice

• Coordinates facilitates provides and evaluates patient staff and community education programs

• The integration of ethical/legal concepts into the practice of self and others.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities skills duties requirements or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

• Must be currently licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse/Clinical Nurse Specialist in the state of practice or is eligible to initiate the application process (required)
• Must maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) American Heart Association (required)

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) American Heart Association (preferred)

Education

• Masters prepared Registered Nurse from an accredited school of nursing (required)
• Continuing Education (CE) Continuing Education Units (CEU) Credit Hours (CH) (required)

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years clinical experience (required)
• Clinical experience in health care research data acquisition and statistical analysis (preferred)
• 3-5 years of experience in application of performance improvement methods (preferred)
• Oral/written skills and previous work experience communicating complex theoretical and technical concepts to healthcare members developing and presenting formal educational programs and effective collaboration with other healthcare members (required)
• Demonstrated group facilitation problem solving and analytical skills (required)

Training

• Training in LEAN/Six Sigma process (preferred)
• Word processing spreadsheet and presentation program abilities (preferred)
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (preferred)

Language

None

Patient Population

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patients status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements relative to his or her age specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.
• Adolescents (13-17 years)
• Adults (18-64 years)
• Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Working Conditions

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.
• Long-distance or air travel as needed- not to exceed 10% travel.
• General office environment.
• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.
• May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.*
• May be required to use physical restraints.
• May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.*
• May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold hot dust wind etc.
• May have periods of constant interruptions.
• Required to car travel to off-site locations occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
• Prolonged periods of working alone.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands

Frequency 0% 1-33% 34-66% 67-100%

Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.) x

Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.) x

Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.)x

Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.)x

Stoop Kneelx

Crawlingx

Climbingx

Balance x

Bending x

Work Position

Frequency 0% 1-33 34-66% 67-100%

Sitting x

Walkingx

Standingx

Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)
• Perform shift work
• Maneuver weight of patients
• Hear alarms/telephone/audio recordings
• Reach above shoulder
• Repetitive arm/hand movements
• Finger Dexterity
• Color Vision
• Acuity far
• Acuity near

Hazards

• Depth perception
• Use of Latex products
• Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts
• Exposure to dust/fumes
• Exposure to potential electrical shock
• Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy
• Exposure to high pitched noises
• Gaseous risk exposure

Skills

• Participate in BLS and/or ACLS events occurring within the acute care setting
• Monitor patient conditions during treatment and document
• Administer medications if needed and document
• Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care
• Record patient medical histories
• Budgeting & Financial Acumen
• Evaluate employee performance during evaluation of competencies
• Analyzing data or information
• Prepare and deliver presentations for executive level/mid-level leaders/frontline associate audiences
• Attention to detail
• Acceptance of authority
• Critical thinking
• Communication with family members
• Communication with patients
• Teamwork
• Conflict resolution
• Active listening
• Relationship building
• Self-motivated to function autonomously in work