Clinical Educator

SUMMARY

The Clinical Educator provides clinical orientations, competency assurance, on-going education opportunities and program development. Maintains treatment activities of the department in compliance with standards of practice, policies and procedures, and regulatory standards: IDPH and the Illinois Mental Health Code. Creates a safe, therapeutic environment that respects the rights of all patients and provides treatment interventions appropriate for the age, developmental status, culture, spiritual beliefs and sexual orientation of each patient

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned 

PERFORMANCE DIMENSION Clinical Practice:

• Utilizes knowledge, current theory and the nursing process (assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation) to improve quality of patient care.
• Assists unit managers and clinical staff in the development and implementation of creative programs and practices.
• Acts as a patient advocate to meet the need of the whole patient; physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual.
• Demonstrates problem solving skills through analysis, objectivity and foresight. 
• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively.
• Demonstrates the ability to monitor the patient's bio/psycho/social/cultural/spiritual needs, maintain a safe environment, provide patient/family education and discharge planning needs.
• Assists in ensuring hospital compliance with the Mental Health Code, Health Department and other regulatory bodies.
• Functions in a supportive role, one that involves providing guidance and being a sounding board. 
• Develop skills, knowledge and abilities of employees through coaching and development approached.
• Communicates in a professional manner emphasizing objectivity and nonjudgmental viewpoints.
• Provide on-going orientation and professional development for all levels of personnel within the critical care team.

LEADERSHIP:

• Conducts all practices according to applicable policies, procedures and professional standards.
• Contributes to all aspects of departmental planning as a member of the management team.
• Demonstrates effective leadership practices that promote teamwork and productivity.
• Promotes the growth and development of the unit manager and assistant manager to find solutions for their needs and problems.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

• Assists or collaborates in the planning, organization and direction of department success.
• Demonstrates a keen awareness of organizational goals and philosophy through program design and implementation.

HUMAN RESOURCE:

• Attends mandatory in services related to safety and infection control.
• Demonstrates effective human resource development and education with the hospital to achieve and maintain quality services and positive employee relations.
• Works closely with the Director of Staff Development and clinical managers to develop and implement competency modules.

TEAMWORK:

• Establishes and supports an environment conducive to the development and enhancement of working relationships.
• Facilitates the implementation of department/hospital's goals and objectives by accepting additional assignments and assisting others as needed.

TIME MANAGEMENT

• Organizes work procedures to generate acceptable levels of productivity.
• Completes appropriate volume of work while maintaining quality standards.
• Demonstrates promptness and regularity in being at work
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize activities appropriately.
• Adjusts work schedule to accommodate changing priorities.
• Demonstrates a high degree of drive and creativity and has the ability to start and accomplish work.
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize activities appropriately.
• Adjusts work schedule to accommodate changing priorities.
• Demonstrates a high degree of drive and creativity and has the ability to start and accomplish work.

SAFETY:

• Operates assigned equipment and performs all procedures in a safe manner.
• Utilizes proper CPI and restraint methods to deescalate and/or restrain agitated patients.
• Follows established emergency, infection control and/or universal precautions procedures as required.
• Follows all policies and procedures related to departmental/hospital security, confidentiality and ethics.
• Follows all policies and procedures related to the provision of a safe environment of care appropriate to the age, developmental status, culture, spiritual beliefs and sexual orientation of each patient.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:

• Takes initiative in identifying departmental and hospital wide quality improvement indictors.
• Actively participates in ongoing department quality improvement activities.
• Participates in departmental and hospital wide quality improvement committees, when requested.

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

• Knows the rights of patients and provides service that respects these rights.
• Ensures that all communications and job activities result in a positive customer experience.
• Serves as a role model and demonstrates courteous, professional guest relations in representing the institution.

COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understands and adheres to Loretto Hospital’s compliance standards as they appear in the Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy. 
• Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal, state and Hospital regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified. 
• Ensures that the staff are trained and evaluated on their knowledge of and adherence to compliance policies and procedures specific to their jobs.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in Nursing preferred
• Minimal level of preparation and training normally required for the job. 
• Must have a minimum of three years' clinical experience.
• Language and communication skills of seeing, listening, reading, writing and speaking are necessary to effectively process and present information in English. Accurate mathematical calculations are required.
• Critical Care Unit, Behavioral Health and Medical Surgical experience required

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Current Registered Nurse Licensure in the State of Illinois. 
• Current CPR and CPI Certification.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE JOB

• Must be able to communicate clearly and precisely, both orally and written. Interpersonal congeniality. Full working knowledge and skills in care of mental illness. Analytical reasoning ability; ability to adapt theory and/ or practice.
• Makes decisions quickly and accurately, a growing knowledge of nursing theory and practice, skill in handling stressful situations in a calm manner and in problem identification and solution.
• Basic communication skills and good working knowledge of clinical care and practice. Follows proper lines of authority and able to listen, plan and problem solve.
• Must demonstrate core competency required for job performance. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Job Duties” are essential job functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk as well as occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Using proper body mechanics, the employee may be expected to lift, pull, push or move patients and/or equipment. Fine motor skills are required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Works in a well-lighted and ventilated area, with high traffic flow of patients, visitors and staff and others. May be exposed to blood borne pathogens, infectious/communicable diseases, hazardous/toxic agent and/or sharp instruments/needle sticks. May also be exposed to internal/external disasters in which appropriate policies, procedures and plans must be followed to protect personnel, patients and self.