Clinical Nursing Consultant II/OR Educator - Surgical Services (Operating Room)

Position Summary

The Clinical Nurse Consultant II is accountable for facilitating the delivery of patient care utilizing the Nursing Process and Relationship-Based Care model as the framework. The Clinical Nurse Consultant II provides patient care and consultation, coordinates the educational development of staff members and acts as a role model in clinical practice. The CNCII strives to improve patient outcomes by integrating Shared Leadership, Evidence Based Practice Relationship Based Care and standards of nursing excellence into clinical practice. Through therapeutic relationships with patients, families, self and colleagues, the Clinical Nurse Consultant II participates in monitoring, developing, and evaluating nursing practice while fulfilling unit and organizational goals. Educational Expectations: The OR educator is responsible for assessing, developing, planning, implementing, and evaluating educational needs and programs for the perioperative personnel to maintain competency, continuing education, and promote staff professional development. Provides onboarding/orientation, competency management, education, career coaching, and collaborative partnerships. The OR educator provides for and conducts the new staff orientation by planning educational resources in competency training, conducts educational activities that inform, teach, and facilitate adoption of new procedures, technologies, equipment, and patient care trends to optimize surgical patients' outcomes. The OR Educator will evaluate the new staff's progress, performance, and provide additional coaching and training to meet previously established professional goals. The OR educator provides the orientee(s) with education that promotes critical thinking, clinical reasoning and evidence-based decision-making practices incorporating principles of adult learning theory. Maintains perioperative employee educational data and records as required. Acts as a clinical resource for perioperative personnel using evidence-based standards and professional guidelines. The OR Educator is responsible for policy and competency development, reviews, updates, and implementation. Identifies and assesses learning needs of staff and identify knowledge skill gaps that require remediation and collaborates with unit leaders to define next steps. Participates in the Nurse Residency Program as a mentor and oversees the project progress timeline for each Co-Hort. Supports the clinical educational experience of nursing, and surgical technicians training as well as orientation to surgery for UIC medical students. Quality/Safety/Efficiency/Regulatory Expectations: Is an active member of the quality and infection prevention committees. Drives and participates in perioperative quality process improvement initiatives. Uses the AORN Guidelines as a foundation for best practice standards. Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives. Adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Guides staff members to drive actions for performance process improvement. The OR Educator will coordinate and plan educational offerings for all staff with consideration of mandatory government regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Completes required orientation program and unit-specific competencies.

• Develops, coordinates and/or mentors staff in patient care plan development and ongoing clinical assessment.

• Uses clinical expertise to collaborate with nursing staff and health care team to improve patient outcomes.

• Consults with and implements orders from physician by performing interventions as prescribed by the provider and documenting accurately in the electronic medical record.

• Assesses, engages and obtains clinical information from multidisciplinary team, patient and/or family to develop an appropriate patient educational plan

•Recognizes and supports Shared Leadership as the selected method of nursing governance

•Participates in organizational, departmental and shared leadership activities; supports department and unit goals in daily behavior.

•Demonstrates accountability for job performance by: (1) seeking opportunities to enhance job skills and knowledge; (2) maintaining conditions of employment (RN licensure, BLS and other required unit-specific certifications).

•Receives and provides feedback to members of the health care team regarding performance/practice.

Organizational
•Adheres to the UI Health Code of Conduct.

•Treats patients/families, staff, students and visitors with respect and dignity.

•Adheres to Nursing’s time, overtime and attendance policies.

•Completes electronic learning modules and related programs as assigned by Medical Center Learning by established date

•Complies with University Health Services TB and fit-testing requirements

•Utilizes established communication channels/chain of command to escalate or resolve patient care problems.

•Identifies recurring clinical practice and/or related unit problems and participates in problem solving and resolution.

•Collaborates with, supports and participates in departmental and organizational education and initiatives through Clinical Practice and Professional Development.

Organizational:
•Adheres to the UI Health Code of Conduct.

•Treats patients/families, staff, students and visitors with respect and dignity.

•Adheres to Nursing’s time, overtime and attendance policies.

•Completes electronic learning modules and related programs as assigned by Medical Center Learning by established date

•Complies with University Health Services TB and fit-testing requirements

•Utilizes established communication channels/chain of command to escalate or resolve patient care problems.

•Identifies recurring clinical practice and/or related unit problems and participates in problem solving and resolution.

•Collaborates with, supports and participates in departmental and organizational education and initiatives through Clinical Practice and Professional Development.

Education/Research:
•Collaborates with other nurses and physicians to identify, promote and provide positive learning experiences for staff and students

•Assesses and analyzes education needs of colleagues, staff and students.

•Plans, presents and evaluates of learning/educational experiences for staff and students

•Initiates, conducts and analyzes evidence-based practice research to improve patient care outcomes.

•Serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to other nursing staff and students.

•Accesses Medical Center intranet for relevant communication and to review and interpret changes in policy, procedure and other information pertinent to practice

•Conducts and supports other nursing and multidisciplinary research efforts on the unit and across UI Health.

•Takes responsibility for continued professional growth/development by identification of learning needs and initiates strategies to meet such needs.

Reporting Structure:

•This person works independently within the scope of nursing practice. The ACNO/Director/Manager/Physician, acting as coach and mentor, provides direction, guidance, and feedback regarding practice and performance. The employee’s performance is evaluated annually in writing and more frequently if needed. The employee and Director/Manager/ Physician meet on an as needed basis for coaching and mentoring where support, guidance and direction can be given. The CNCII provides and receives input from peers regarding practice/performance.