Job Details: CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST - PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Description: Clinical Nurse Specialist collaborates with members of the health care team to enhance patient care by developing, educating, and supporting nursing staff and providing clinical expertise to patients in the Duke Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
The Duke Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Clinical Nurse Specialist collaborates with members of the health care team to enhance patient care by developing, educating, and supporting nursing staff and providing clinical expertise to patients in the Duke Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). S/he is a clinician, educator, investigator, consultant, role model and leader.

S/he makes clinical judgments based upon a synthesis of current research, concepts, principles, theories, and outcomes to solve complex problems. The CNS is a dynamic and positive role model for nursing staff. S/he functions as an integral part of a larger interdisciplinary team contributing to excellence in patient care, research, teaching, and in providing leadership to the nursing staff and to the organization.

Specific Job Responsibilities and Standards
Clinical Expert
• Provide expertise in pediatric critical care to address educational, clinical and systems issues in order to promote quality patient care.
• Support nursing staff in providing evidence-based clinical care.
• Collaborate with nursing staff to assess, diagnose, plan, identify priorities and realistic outcomes, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost efficiency of patient care.
• Coordinate clinical practice and/or clinical program services to maximize patient outcomes and to accomplish the strategic objectives of the healthcare team and of the organization.

Educator
• Assess learning needs of nursing staff; plan and implement appropriate educational forums and opportunities to address critical learning needs and skills.
• In collaboration with leadership and senior nursing staff, participate in new staff orientation through teaching, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating RNs new to PICU.
• Teach, support, coach and mentor nursing staff and healthcare learners to promote evidence-based clinical practice, knowledge, skills and professional development related to pediatric critical care.
• Support nursing staff retention through on-going and clinically/professionally relevant educational programming.
• Identify patient/family education needs and priorities; participate in developing, implementing and evaluating patient education resources and programs. Provide leadership to nursing staff in the development of patient education standards and protocols.

Research Utilization and Investigation
• Incorporate clinical research into clinical, educational and consultative roles in order to provide a scientific basis for professional nursing practice.
• Provide leadership for nursing research in the PICU.
• Provide leadership in interdisciplinary performance improvement and clinical research to promote evidence-based nursing practice and to improve clinical outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate standards of practice, guidelines, policies, procedures, and protocols for PICU.
Consultant
• Serve as a consultant to nursing, members of the healthcare community, and to the larger community in areas of professional practice and pediatric critical care nursing.
• Design, implement and evaluate programs and projects to facilitate PICU initiatives, and institutional goals and objectives.
• Support accreditation, program certification and regulatory activities as related to PICU patient populations and nursing staff.
• Provide expertise and leadership on hospital and nursing committees, councils, and task forces, representing advanced practice nursing and pediatric intensive care.
Professional Leadership and Development
• Role model advanced practice professional nursing through conduct, appearance, communication, mutual respect, leadership, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Assist and support PICU nursing staff in professional development and attainment of practice norms.
• Assume responsibility for professional self-development. Quality of work reflects high professional and ethical standards
• Communicate effectively to maintain positive working relationships and achieve desired outcome
• Demonstrate responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations, a minimum of 25 continuing education hours/year, and in maintaining certification in area of specialization.
• Enhance the body of knowledge in nursing through exchange of ideas and knowledge using venues such as posters, newsletters, presentations, and publications.

Experience
Minimum five years of nursing experience; at least two in pediatric intermediate or critical care. Excellent teaching, verbal, and written communication skills are essential. Must be self directed and motivated. High ethical standards and professional role model required.

Hours
Primary hours will be Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, however must be flexible to meet the educational needs of all PICU staff, including off-shifts and weekends

Education
Position requires current North Carolina Registered Nursing Licensure. Master's degree in Nursing required.
Description of institution/organization:
Duke University Hospital is a 954-bed tertiary care teaching hospital that offers a broad array of inpatient and ambulatory care services. Located within the Research Triangle, Duke University and the region offer an excellent quality of life, including close proximity to North Carolina beaches and mountains.

Please click on the 'apply to job' link below, choose a search option, and apply to REQ #400094132 or e-mail resume to steve.kimbrough@duke.edu placing HEC CNS PICU in the subject line.

Duke University Health Systems is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Posting Date: May 8 08