What are the responsibilities and job description for the Clinical Nurse Educator position at Witham Health Services?
Job Summary
The Clinical Nurse Educator plays a critical role in supporting the long-term success and retention of newly graduated nurses and experience nurses within the organization. This position reports directly to the Director of Human Resources and is responsible for ensuring that the Nurse Residency Program aligns with Witham's strategic goals for clinical excellence, employee engagement, and organizational growth. The role is designed to foster the seamless integration of new nursing staff into their professional roles, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and decision-making abilities necessary to thrive in an acute care environment. Additionally, the position will oversee educational programs across the acute nursing department, ensuring all staff receive the training and support they need to meet regulatory standards and contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic direction and execution of the Nurse Residency Program, ensuring that it contributes to the organization’s goals of nurse retention, engagement, and professional development.
- Partner with leadership across acute nursing departments to identify educational needs and ensure alignment between staff competencies and organizational priorities.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, ensuring that both clinical and non-clinical staff are supported in their professional growth.
- Develop and maintain a high standard of educational programs that promote clinical leadership, quality patient care, and workforce development.
- Act as a key liaison between education, nursing, and leadership teams, ensuring that the learning needs of the organization are met and that employee feedback is integrated into the development of future programs.
- Advocate for employee engagement and retention by ensuring that the Nurse Residency Program and other educational initiatives contribute to job satisfaction, professional growth, and long-term career development.
Minimum Requirements
- Graduate from an accredited nursing program with a valid license to practice nursing in the State of Indiana.
- At least five (5) years of acute care clinical experience, with significant experience in managing high-acuity patients, including but not limited to critical care, emergency department, intensive care unit (ICU), neurology, oncology, cardiac care, trauma care, or other high-acuity care settings.
- Minimum of one (1) year of experience in education and staff development, including roles such as preceptor or mentor, with a focus on supporting staff in high-acuity environments.
- Certification in areas appropriate to assigned duties (e.g., ACLS/PALS at instructor level).
- Strong understanding of nursing education principles and the ability to develop programs that address both clinical and non-clinical educational needs.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence organizational strategy through educational initiatives.
- Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive change and build strong relationships across all levels of the organization.
