Senior Clinical Nurse Educator

OverviewCollaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, disabled and dying.Advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and in patient and health systems management, and education are also key nursing roles. (ICN, 2002).Participates in the development and maintenance of a competency-based continuing education program that supports the nurses/midwives in all areas towards improvement in clinical practice. Provides clinical leadership in relevant area of specialty.ResponsibilitiesLeadershipProvides professional leadership and acts as a role model and mentor to fellow nursing staff.Performs consistent, systematic evaluation of clinically based programs to determine if they meet patient/staff needs and are responsive to department/organisational direction.Provides the clinical expertise essential to support managers with complex clinical issues.Directs and supports an interdisciplinary team approach based on mutual respect and direct communication between health professionals to provide patient and family centred care.Monitors clinical care to ensure clinical standards are met. Identifies variances and initiates corrective measures as required. Uses this information to inform educational and bedside teaching opportunities in consultation with the CRN or unit manager.Monitors staff performance, providing regular constructive feedback, coaching, guidance and support to team members on the shift. Provides performance feedback to line manager.Attends patient care rounds, using them as a teaching opportunity.Role models comprehensive clinical handover/report using SBAR to ensure patient safety.Maintains accurate records of educational activity and reports as required by the CRN or unit manager.Participates, as assigned, on committees, working groups and other organization activities.Management of Clinical PracticeCollaborates with nursing staff and other disciplines in the implementation, and evaluation of educational programs.Participates in adult education, group dynamics, communication, and teaching strategies at unit level.Assists nursing staff to integrate new knowledge and skill into their practice and ensures that ongoing competency is maintained.Supports an environment that allows staff to acquire skills, identify and develop new ideas that ensures commitment to the organisational goals.In liaison with the Nurse Manager, reviews nursing practice and addresses required changes based on best practice guidelines.Provides specialty specific orientation to relevant staff and participates in the organization’s orientation programs as required.Provides bedside clinical consultations in area of expertise/specialization.Collaborates with nursing staff in identifying patient care concerns and in determining areas that necessitate resolution through staff education and escalates to the education and unit manager.Provides opportunities for individual nursing staff development.Participates in the implementation of evidence based practice and research to promote clinical knowledge and a research based clinical practice environment.Supports the staff to provide a suitable environment for patient and family learning.Engages in health promotion activities in the organization and community.Responds to all levels of emergencies according to the organization’s policies and procedures.CommunicationRole models comprehensive clinical handover/report using SBAR to ensure patient safety.Maintains a strong communication network with the clinical leadership in promoting educational programs.Uses information technology to access, transmit and produce information as necessary.Facilitates effective communication between the patient, family and the interdisciplinary health care team as required.Performance Improvement / Risk ManagementUtilize information gained from program evaluation to suggest future program directions in consultation with the education and unit manager.Supports a culture of performance improvement.Monitors and evaluates the quality of nursing care.Audits compliance with organizational documentation standards.Monitors and supports the organisational Key Performance Indicators and Clinical Indicators and reinforces corrective action to improve clinical service.Responsible for minimizing exposure to incidents of infection/cross infection of patients, staff, visitors and the general public. Ensures staff adheres to the infection control policies and procedures of the organization.Complies with International and DOH Patient Safety Goals.Participates in interdisciplinary teams and Performance Improvement Projects for evaluation and improvement of processes and clinical practice where appropriate.Professional ResponsibilitiesMaintains contemporary knowledge of evidence based practice relevant to specialty.Participates in activities which