CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATOR, TRAUMA SURGICAL ICU / HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER

University of Washington Medical Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Harborview Medical Center is seeking a Clinical Nurse Educator for the Trauma Surgical ICU (TSICU) to lead education, competency development, and evidence-based practice. The role focuses on staff readiness, patient safety, and regulatory readiness, translating standards into practical training.

The CNE will collaborate with nursing leadership and interdisciplinary teams to address gaps, implement new procedures, and measure impact on care quality.

Qualifications

• Current Washington State RN license.
• BSN degree required.
• Minimum five years in critical care.
• Two years in leadership/education roles.
• Ability to identify practice gaps and evaluate educational programs.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and organizational skills.
• Flexible to evening/night/weekend rotations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate education through multiple modalities (classroom, simulation, bedside).
• Strengthen clinical judgment in trauma and surgical critical care.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership to identify educational, patient safety, and quality improvement priorities.
• Support the implementation of new clinical procedures, equipment, technologies, and evidence-based practices.
• Analyze safety events, patient outcomes, audits, and nursing quality indicators to identify practice gaps.
• Develop and implement targeted education to address risks and improve clinical performance.
• Lead or participate in quality improvement projects, clinical audits, and regulatory readiness activities.
• Evaluate educational effectiveness through competency results and practice observations.

Skills

Critical care nursing

Nursing education leadership

Clinical collaboration

Communication skills

Flexibility

Education

BSN

Job description

Job Description

Harborview Medical Center has an outstanding opportunity with the PDNE (Professional Development and Nursing Excellence) team for a Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE), Trauma Surgical ICU (TSICU).

The Clinical Nurse Educator promotes clinical excellence and patient safety in the Trauma/Surgical Intensive Care Unit (TSICU) through staff education, competency development, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement.

The role identifies learning needs, develops and evaluates educational programs, and supports nurses in delivering safe, high-quality care to critically ill and injured patients.

In collaboration with nursing leadership and interdisciplinary partners, the educator advances clinical standards, professional development, and continuous improvement.

The TSICU cares for patients with complex, rapidly changing conditions, including multisystem trauma and complex surgical needs. The Clinical Nurse Educator translates current evidence, clinical standards, leadership priorities, and regulatory requirements into practical education that supports safe bedside care.

The role balances educational priorities with patient acuity and unit operations while supporting staff with varying experience levels. It requires clinical expertise, collaboration, and the ability to address practice gaps and evaluate the impact of education on competency and patient outcomes.

The Clinical Nurse Educator strengthens nursing competency, staff readiness, patient safety, and clinical quality. Through evidence-based education and practice improvement, the role supports regulatory readiness, professional development, and improved patient outcomes.

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate education through multiple modalities including classroom instruction, simulation, case-based learning, and bedside teaching.

• Strengthen clinical judgment and decision-making in trauma and surgical critical care, with a primary focus on the TSICU.

• Partner with nursing leadership to identify educational, patient safety, and quality improvement priorities.

• Support the implementation of new clinical procedures, equipment, technologies, and evidence-based practices.

• Analyze safety events, patient outcomes, audits, and nursing-sensitive quality indicators to identify practice gaps.

• Develop and implement targeted education to address risks and improve clinical performance.

• Lead or participate in quality improvement projects, clinical audits, and regulatory and accreditation readiness activities.

• Evaluate educational effectiveness through competency results, practice observations, compliance data, and quality indicators.

• Collaborate with nursing leadership, clinical specialists, providers, and interdisciplinary teams to advance clinical education and practice.

• Support the onboarding and ongoing education of nursing and ancillary staff.

• Participate in shared governance, unit-based councils, and organizational education initiatives.

• Communicate clinical updates, safety lessons learned, and practice changes to promote consistent, high-quality care.

• Develop, review, and maintain evidence-based nursing policies, procedures, clinical guidelines, and educational resources.

• Partner with subject matter experts and nursing leaders to align clinical practices with current evidence and regulatory requirements.

• Develop education to support the implementation of updated policies, clinical standards, and organizational initiatives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Current Washington State Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Five years of critical care clinical experience.
• Two years of leadership experience, such as clinical education, clinical nurse specialist practice, nursing management, charge nursing, precepting, or quality improvement leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to identify clinical practice gaps, implement improvements, and develop and evaluate educational programs.
• Strong collaboration, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to a positive patient and staff experience.
• Flexibility to meet workload demands, including occasional evening, night, and weekend rotations.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Trauma or surgical critical care experience at a Level I or Level II trauma center.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or graduate degree in nursing education, nursing leadership, or a related field.
• Experience in clinical education, nursing professional development, or staff education.
• Experience applying adult learning principles, simulation, and competency-based assessment.
• Experience in quality improvement, clinical audits, and regulatory or accreditation readiness.
• Specialty certification in critical care, surgical nursing, or trauma nursing, such as CCRN or a relevant trauma nursing certification.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, precepting, and developing nursing staff.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

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 publicby 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:

$186,000.00 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 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 publicby advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians,scientistsand other health professionals.

All acrossUW 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,studentand colleague is valued and honored.Nearly 29,000healthcare 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, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.

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.