Nursing Clinical Practice Advisor Educator

General Summary Statement

Provides comprehensive, effective, timely clinical support and advisement to new to practice nurses (NTPNs) after orientation in their first nursing position in medical surgical and telemetry units to promote the delivery of safe, quality nursing care through application of the nursing process. Adheres to Nursing Policies and Procedures and Organizational Goals and Objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Advisement to New to Practice Nurses

1. Meet with all NTPNs who have completed orientation at least once on each shift and as needed throughout the shift.

2. Reviews patient assignments with the NTPN and discuss any concerns.

3. Assist with problem solving and decision making, provide clinical support such as prioritization, locating policies, reviewing / assisting with procedures.

4. Communicate competency issues to manager and educator. Assists with competency assessment of NTPN in collaboration with Nursing Professional Development Specialists.

5. Performs chart audits to ensure accurate, comprehensive documentation, and provide feedback to NTPN.

6. Remains accessible while on duty via Cureatr to NTPNs.

Education Responsibilities

7. Serves as superuser and provide education/ competency assessment to NTPNs (regularly) and other night shift and weekend staff (occasionally) for topics such as: new programs, initiatives, infection prevention, and equipment.

8. Educates staff to support regulatory readiness, quality improvement, in collaboration with NPDSs, Nursing Leadership, Quality and Regulatory departments.

Support Evidence Based Practice

9. Serves as evidence based practice (EBP) mentor, supporting NTPNs with their EBP projects and unit based initiatives in collaboration with the Nurse Residency Coordinators and Nursing Leadership.

1. Clinical Practice: Maintains clinical knowledge and skills to support NTPNs in providing safe, effective, and efficient nursing care including:

a. Deliver age appropriate care for the population served, giving consideration to growth & developmental phase of life, age related factors such as thermal regulation, nutrition, medication administration, nutrition, safety and functional needs of the patient.

b. Use appropriate resources to support care for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.

c. Ensures attention to patient’s physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

d. Perform competent assessments.

e. Perform pain assessments and interventions to optimally meet patient’s needs for comfort.

f. Plan clinical care based on patient’s needs and use available resources.

g. Perform clinical care in accordance with policy and procedure.

h. Perform peripheral venipuncture and peripheral and central vascular access care according to policy & procedure.

i. Evaluate outcomes of nursing interventions and take appropriate actions to move patient toward reaching goals of care.

j. Identify situations that warrant patient rescue and take appropriate action, e.g. Rapid Response or Code Blue, Code PCI, or Code Grey.

k. Adhere to the 5 rights of medication administration and use the electronic medical record and automatic dispensing system per policy and procedure.

l. Integrate principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.

m. Adhere to aseptic technique as appropriate.

n. Use resources and references for reviewing policies and procedures, medications, and clinical information.

o. Prioritize and organize work effectively within assigned shift.

p. Interpret arrhythmias and apply appropriate interventions.

q. Administer appropriate medications and infusions as ordered. Demonstrate current knowledge of pharmacology.

r. Collaborate with provider about the care and treatment of the medical surgical, remote, or telemetry patient and initiation or discontinuation of telemetry monitoring.

s. Use central station monitors, transport monitors, emergency cart monitors, passive displays and telemetry transmitters.

2. Communication: Demonstrates effective communication skills to provide education, formative and summative feedback to NTPNs. Will support the NTPNs to develop their communication skills to:

1. Use effective communication during hand-offs. (e.g. Shift report, transfer report, etc).

2. Organize information into a meaningful format, such as ISHAPED.

3. Delegate appropriately to unlicensed personnel and team members.

4. Communicate patient care information to the interdisciplinary care team.

5. Provide patient and family education in a manner that is understood and gives the patient and family handouts, brochures and resources that can be taken home for future reference.

3. Documentation: Demonstrates working knowledge of the EMR and paper forms used by NTPNs. Performs chart audits and provides feedback / tips to support the NTPN to:

1. Document patient care in an accurate, professional, and timely manner using the electronic medical record and paper documentation forms according to policy and procedure.

2. Document patient care that is relevant to patient’s diagnosis, problems and reflects patient’s status.

4. Departmental Support: Educate and supports the NTPN to perform activities that support the department including:

1. Ensure equipment is working order, and ensure equipment is use appropriately, and the at NTPN follow department policies for equipment and supply use and maintenance.

2. Maintain unit in a state of survey readiness and maintain quality initiatives (For example, quality control measures, emergency equipment checks, medication preparation area cleanliness, etc.).

3. Adhere to unit programs to support patient care such as maintaining a quiet environment, hourly patient rounds, customer service, etc..

4. Keep patient care area and work environment neat and organized.

Professional Role Development:

1. Develops own nursing knowledge via supporting the practice NTPNs, observation, professional literature, networking and attending continuing education programs.
2. Promotes best practice by demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care and the profession of nursing, and role modeling professional behaviors.
3. Promotes innovation and creativity in the practice environment.
4. Accepts constructive feedback about performance or behaviors and shows evidence of change.
5. Demonstrates verbal and writing skills that are appropriate for healthcare communication.
6. Adheres to the Department of Nursing Dress Code.

Department of Nursing and Organization Support

1. Attends assigned committee meetings and contributes to the committees such as night shift council and moon huddles.
2. Communicates support of organizational values and strategies.
3. Supports the following organizational programs: Magnet®, Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification, Nursing Councils, and integrates their standards into clinical practice.
4. Reviews nursing quality data, e.g. NDNQI and identifies how to apply best practice into own practice and mentor others towards meeting quality target goals.

Education Training and Experience

Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) is required.

5 years of medical surgical and telemetry experience preferred with demonstrated strong clinical and communication skills.

Experience precepting/ mentoring new graduate nurses and/or new nurses.

Basic computer skills: keyboard, mouse use. Ability to complete data entry on clinical documentation screens. Ability to use email and internet. Ability to successfully complete on the job training for CCH computer programs. Ability to practice critical thinking and organizational skills. Ability to speak, read, write and understand English.

Licensure/Certification

Current Pennsylvania RN License.

CPR certification required.

ACLS certification required.

Certification in clinical specialty is preferred.

Must meet specialty specific competency requirements.

Dysrhythmia Interpretation