Professional Practice & Development Specialist - Registered Nurse

The professional development specialist uses knowledge and skills in adult learning theory, Caring Science theory, career development, Serving Leader, the practice environment and program management to support lifelong nursing professional development. This position demonstrates an expertise in nursing education while influencing the professional role competence and professional growth of nurses in a variety of settings. The specialist leads change, both at the unit and organizational level. This position will inspire and develop creative and innovative approaches to addressing challenges and problem solving. This position exemplifies structural empowerment, transformational leadership, new knowledge and innovation, exemplary professional practice and the tenants of a Magnet® culture.

The professional development specialist fosters critical thinking and creates an environment that promotes lifelong learning and discovery. This position will facilitate the proactive integration of technology to support clinical practice, while maximizing the efficiency of existing resources to deliver quality patient care.

The professional development specialist supports organizational and unit-specific goals by demonstrating a commitment to exemplary practice, continuing education, teamwork and cooperation. The specialist demonstrates an active and engaged commitment to diversity by working to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates and promotes respect for diversity of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation or citizenship in the organization. This position will actively participate in evidence-based and quality improvement activities through the development and support of unit based PDCAs.

The professional development specialist is actively involved in investigating, implementing and evaluating evidence-based practice and educates nurses to appropriately explore the best practice for their patients and the practice environment and to generate new knowledge. This positon is also a leader in nursing research, evidence-based practice and quality improvement activities, and promotes and supports organizational research activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

• Current licensure as a registered nurse in the state of New Jersey.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing required.
• Master's degree in nursing required or actively enrolled in an accredited doctoral program with credit hours equivalent to a master's degree within 2 years from date of hire or transfer.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

• Association for Nurses in Professional Development and should be within 2 years of hire.
• BLS required.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 5 years of clinical experience required.
• Expert knowledge of evidence-based practice and the ability to teach, consistent with principles of adult learning, required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as leadership skills, required.
• Proficiency in clinical applications preferred at time of hire.
• Incumbents within position will be trained appropriately and skill will be required for this position within 60 days from date of hire.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Essential functions for this position are listed on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

Education:

• Design, implement and evaluate nursing staff onboarding and transition to practice initiatives in compliance with ARMC policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Design, implement and evaluate unit-level orientation programs in consultation with leadership and staff.
• Develop, implement and evaluate teaching strategies for specific patient populations in collaboration with staff and leadership.
• Develop, conduct, analyze and prioritize organizational and unit-specific education needs based on learning needs assessment.
• Plan, design, implement and evaluate education programs in compliance with the NJSNA provider unit policies and procedures.
• Systematically analyze education and professional development activities to identify opportunities.
• Create a safe and effective learning environment through proficient use of adult learning principles, communication skills and teaching methods.
• Advocate for Nursing Professional Development programs that support the needs of the learner and the organization.
• Participate in evaluation of staff regarding knowledge, skills and attitude (KSA).
• Coordinate and evaluate academic partnerships and student clinical experiences.
• In collaboration with leadership, evaluate nursing practice in accordance with standards of nursing care and assist with implementation measures directed at improving quality.

Leadership:

• Build trust: interacts with others in a manner that instills confidence in the intentions of the organization and its leadership, acting as a role model of integrity and encouraging others to meet that standard.
• Lead with vision and values: supports and sustains the organizational and nursing mission, vision and values; instills the same in staff and holds self and others accountable for service excellence.
• Accept personal responsibility for own professional development, including ANPD certification within 2 years and pursuit of role-specific education.
• Serve as a role model and resource for continued learning and professional self-development for staff and peers.
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to ethical, cultural and spiritual inclusion.
• Engage in ethical decision-making and problem solving.
• Function as a change agent and leader.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Participate on organizational interprofessional committees to influence hospital-wide educational initiatives.
• Provide guidance and direction in planning, implementing and evaluating simulation in the nursing practice environment.
• Adhere to budget guidelines and demonstrate prudent resource utilization in planning and implementing educational activities.

Development:

• Evaluate and communicate new employee progress to unit leadership.
• Collaborate with clinical manager to coach and counsel new employees when orientation goals are not achieved and/or crucial conversations are had with orientee.
• Collaborate with/escalate to unit leadership when an employee cannot successfully complete the introductory period or should staff not complete required competencies and/or education.
• Evaluate and respond when an educational deficit is identified for individual or unit staff.
• Promote a culture of error prevention, continual readiness and translation of research to evidence-based practice and quality improvement, identifying and pursuing unit and organizational goals based on quality and safety metrics, to improve patient care.
• Analyze unit-specific quality data and create PDCAs on relevant variances.
• Provide guidance and direction in planning, implementing and evaluating comprehensive patient care, based on the assessment of patient's physical, psychosocial and cultural needs, age, functional status and customized plan of care.
• Facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of standards/regulatory guidelines of nursing care/practice.
• Serve as a facilitator, innovator and problem solver regarding exemplary nursing care with direct involvement in nursing procedures, equipment and standardizing care.
• Participate in efforts to promote problem solving of professional practice issues, professional development of staff and performance improvement activities.
• Participate in clinical rounds and simulation activities to identify communication, practice and safety issues.

Program/ Project Management

• Develop, plan and implement educational activities that are consistent with organizational mission, vision and goals.
• Ability to evaluate outcomes (check cycle), including return on investment.
• Participatory support for regulatory and survey readiness activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens, along with infectious diseases. Physical demands include, but are not limited to, considerable stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing heavy equipment and excessive standing and walking. Lifting approximately 25-50 lbs. frequently; lifting 50-100 lbs. with assistance occasionally.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports directly to department leadership and may supervise incumbents as assigned.

The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.