CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATOR, ACUTE CARE

University of Washington Medical Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Harborview Medical Center, a UW Medicine affiliate in Seattle, seeks a Clinical Nurse Educator for Acute Care to lead education, competency development, and evidence-based practice across inpatient units. The role collaborates with nursing leadership and interprofessional teams to advance quality and safety initiatives.

The educator supports regulatory readiness, develops policies, and aligns clinical practice with current evidence to improve patient outcomes and staff development.

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of recent clinical nursing experience in acute care or an inpatient specialty.
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical leadership experience in education, charge nurse, or similar role.
• Experience leading quality improvement, patient safety, evidence-based practice, or regulatory readiness initiatives.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides clinical education, competency validation, and ongoing practice support for nurses and other designated staff across inpatient acute care units.
• Collaborates with nurse managers and interprofessional teams to assess educational needs and gaps.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates education programs promoting safe, evidence-based nursing practice.
• Supports development related to nursing practice, equipment, technologies, medications, and specialty skills.
• Coordinates education supporting new graduates, experienced staff, and transition-to-practice initiatives.
• Promotes standardized nursing practices and evidence-based care across inpatient units.
• Contributes to regulatory and accreditation readiness through competency validation and staff education.

Skills

Clinical education

Competency validation

Patient safety

Quality improvement

Regulatory readiness

Evidence-based practice

Interprofessional collaboration

Change management

Education

Master's degree in Nursing

Nursing CNS certification

NPD-BC certification

National specialty certification (acute care)

Job description

Job Description

Clinical Nurse Educator, Acute Care, Harborview Medical Center

Harborview Medical Center - PDNE (Professional Development and Nursing Excellence) dept. has an outstanding opportunity for Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE), Acute Care.

The Acute Care CNE advances nursing excellence by leading clinical education, competency development, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and quality improvement initiatives across inpatient acute care services. The CNE collaborates with nursing leadership, providers, ancillary staff, and interprofessional teams to assess educational and practice needs, develop and implement learning programs, support regulatory and accreditation readiness, and promote safe, high-quality patient care. This position serves as a clinical resource and change agent, integrating evidence-based practices, organizational priorities, and continuous quality improvement into nursing practice, competency development, and professional growth across multiple acute care specialties.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides clinical education, competency validation, and ongoing practice support for nurses and other designated clinical staff across inpatient acute care units.
• Collaborates with nurse managers, assistant nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists, providers, and interprofessional teams to assess educational needs and identify competency and practice gaps.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates education programs that promote safe, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing practice.
• Supports development related to nursing practice, equipment, technologies, medications, and specialty nursing skills.
• Coordinates education supporting new graduate nurses, experienced staff, and transition-to-practice initiatives.
• Promotes standardized nursing practices and evidence-based care across inpatient units.
• Contributes to regulatory and accreditation readiness through competency validation, staff education, and compliance with organizational standards.
• Develops, reviews, and maintains evidence-based nursing policies, procedures, clinical guidelines, and educational resources.
• Partners with subject matter experts and nursing leaders to ensure clinical practices reflect current evidence and regulatory requirements.
• Develops and delivers education supporting implementation of new policies, clinical standards, and organizational initiatives.
• Reviews patient safety events, nursing-sensitive quality indicators, and operational data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Designs and implements educational interventions to address quality and patient safety priorities.
• Collaborates with nursing leadership on hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives.
• Supports implementation and dissemination of evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Participates in root cause analyses, action planning, and sustainment of improvement initiatives.

Required Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of recent clinical nursing experience in acute care, medical-surgical nursing, progressive care, telemetry, rehabilitation, critical care, emergency nursing, or another relevant inpatient specialty.
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical leadership experience, such as educator, charge nurse, preceptor, quality improvement lead, assistant nurse manager, nurse manager, clinical nurse specialist, or similar role.
• Demonstrated ability to assess clinical practice and educational needs, identify performance gaps, and implement sustainable improvement strategies.
• Experience leading quality improvement, patient safety, evidence-based practice, or regulatory readiness initiatives.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing operational priorities and provide occasional evening, night, or weekend educational support as needed.
• Ability to work independently in a complex healthcare environment, proactively assess organizational and educational needs, prioritize competing demands, and take initiative to develop and implement effective solutions with minimal direction.

Desired Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Nursing, Nursing Education, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification or previous CNS experience.
• Nursing Professional Development Board Certification (NPD-BC).
• National specialty certification appropriate to acute care practice (e.g., CCRN, PCCN, CMSRN, MEDSURG-BC, CNRN, CRRN, or equivalent).
• Previous experience in nursing professional development, competency management, onboarding, or clinical instruction.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and organizational change initiatives.
• Experience supporting Magnet, Pathway to Excellence, or regulatory accreditation activities.

ABOUT HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER

As the region’s only Level I Trauma and verified burn center, Harborview Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare facility owned by King County and operated by UW Medicine. It is dedicated to providing specialized care for a broad spectrum of patients from throughout the Pacific Northwest, including the most vulnerable residents of King County. It provides exemplary patient care in leading-edge centers of emphasis, including emergency medicine, trauma and burn care, neurosciences, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, HIV/AIDS, rehabilitation, mental health and substance abuse care.

Harborview employees are committed to the vital role the institution plays in the immediate community, as well as the entire Northwest region.

Challenge. Collaboration. Compassion.

ABOUT UW MEDICINE - WHERE YOUR IMPACT GOES FURTHER

UW Medicine is Washington's only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine's mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.

All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.

Become part of our team. Join our mission to make life healthier for everyone in our community.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$140,004.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$183,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives - on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.