Nursing Professional Development Specialist (RN)

Advocate Health; Barrington (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health's Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington seeks a Nursing Professional Development Specialist (RN) to lead evidence-based educational programs for nursing staff. The role focuses on orientation, continuing education and professional development to improve patient care and staff competency.

The ideal candidate holds an advanced nursing degree, CNS or RN-BC certification, and at least three years of clinical teaching experience, with strong communication and collaboration skills

Qualifications

• Must be knowledgeable in adult learning theory and able to design educational materials.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in planning and evaluating staff education programs.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and evaluates educational programs for nursing staff.
• Coordinates orientation/onboarding and continuing education activities.
• Assesses learner needs and plans culturally relevant educational strategies.
• Collaborates with interprofessional teams to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Skills

Adult learning theory

Teaching

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Critical thinking

Education

Master's Degree in Nursing

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and Master's in Education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Nursing Professional Development Specialist (RN)

Obstetrics

Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington

Full Time

Job Summary:

Responsible for developing, implementing and leading evidence-based, quality educational programs and activities which promote individual development and competency among nursing department personnel. Develops, coordinates and implements activities for orientation/onboarding, nursing application (practice, policy, products) and continuing education/professional development related to system, site and/or specialty. Provides clinical and educational expertise that directly or indirectly influences nurses and healthcare personnel, systems, and community. Designs, implements, and evaluates educational programs that reflect organizational vision and values with awareness of current healthcare trends. Uses the roles of advisor, change agent, collaborator, communicator, consultant, facilitator, leader, mentor, researcher to impact patient safety and quality outcomes through professional development initiatives. Promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and use of evidence to guide clinical practice and improve patient care while advancing professional development. The role may be based at the system, at the site reporting to the system or at the site reporting to the respective site and may teach, develop or support NEPD programs at the site, region or system level.

Major Responsibilities:

• Through application of ANPD principles and acting in the roles of advisor, change agent, collaborator, communicator, consultant, facilitator, leader, mentor, researcher the team member applies advanced knowledge of nursing in the delivery of evidenced-based nursing and education interventions using the educational design process to bridge the knowledge, skills, and/or practice gaps identified through a needs assessment.
• Collects data and information to validate an identified gap in professional practice and to determine the specific knowledge, skill, or practice deficit or opportunity needed. Investigates issues, trends, and supporting data to determine the needs of individuals, organizations, and communities (prioritizing macrosystem needs).
• Analyzes cost and anticipated return on investment for learning activities, programs, and projects. Transforms processes at multiple levels through inspiration, initiation, adoption, and sustainment of and adaptation to change using project management and improvement processes.
• Develops context-specific outcomes based on organizational stakeholders’ and learners’ values, goals, current evidence, and regulations. Establishes a plan that prescribes strategies, alternatives, and resources to achieve expected outcomes. Incorporates theories pertaining to learning and behavioral change while designing educational materials and programs.
• Promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and use of evidence to guide clinical practice, improves patient care and foster life long learning. Role models practices for creating and sustaining positive learning and practice environments.
• Assesses learner characteristics, including learning styles and learning needs for program development. Creates an effective learning environment, demonstrates proficiency in use of technology. Evaluates the outcomes of staff education, functions in the roles of both teacher and facilitator. Implements a variety of teaching strategies tailored to the learner’s characteristics, learning needs, cultural perspectives, and outcome objectives. Plans programs that are culturally relevant and that incorporate concepts of multicultural and multigenerational education.
• Advises in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of materials, learning environments (i.e. virtual), and teaching strategies appropriate to the situation and learner’s developmental level, learning needs, readiness, ability to learn, and culture.
• Exhibits system thinking throughout the planning process. Develops partnerships to enhance health care through interprofessional initiatives (i.e. quality improvement, organizational excellence initiatives) and coordinates integrated educational services.
• Supports the transition of nurses and other healthcare team members across learning and practice environments, roles, and professional stages. Mentors, guides, and supports NEPD generalist as applicable.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices, and
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or
• Nursing Professional Development (RN-BC) certification issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) needs to be obtained within 6 months.

Education Required:

• Master's Degree in Nursing, or
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, and Master's Degree in Education or related field.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in a clinical nursing role that includes experiences in adult teaching or training, and/or developing educational programs

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Must be knowledgeable in principles of adult learning theory and capable of creative planning, coordinating, and overseeing educational and orientation programs.
• Proficient at incorporating adult learning principles, online and in person teaching methods to maximize learning and the application of that learning.
• Excellent written and oral communications including strong presentation/speaking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, planning and problem solving skills.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Generally exposed to a normal office environment.
• Must have functional speech, hearing, and senses to allow effective communication.
• Position requires travel, may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.