In 2020 united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care including 11 hospitals and nearly 5000 physicians and providers. Together we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

Provides unit-based clinical education aimed at improving the quality and safety of patient care and for assisting the department manager in overseeing daily work unit operations in accordance with professional standards, internal policies/procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. An incumbent collaborates with appropriate personnel to ensure standards of care and standards of practice of specific patient populations are current and incorporated into nursing practice and assists management in maintaining continuity and quality of patient care. Work also includes: 1) analyzing clinical education needs and assessing employee competencies 2) identifying performance/compliance improvement opportunities and coordinating related projects/initiatives; 3) coordinating clinical quality and patient safety activities; 4) participating in the development and implementation of new/revised policies/procedures/protocols.
Work requires clinical nursing expertise and significant understanding of adult educational concepts, patient care standards/practices and applicable regulatory requirements specific to the assigned function. Knowledge of quality improvement concepts, methodologies and tools, and of the importance of data to performance improvement processes is also required. Although work is conducted using a team-based approach, an incumbent exercises considerable discretion and independent judgment in identifying non-compliance issues/concerns and in developing/implementing effective tactics/solutions to address and resolve them.

Essential Job functions:

Assesses educational needs of the work unit and develops/delivers clinical in-service training.
Provides education, training, and consultative services to clinical staff in assigned area; assesses needs and develops, modifies, coordinates and delivers unit-based education programs and offerings (e.g. new employee orientation, competency validation processes, nurse residency program, new equipment/services/standards etc.) for all nursing staff.

Assesses the effectiveness of clinical in-service training in order to ensure educational programs provide staff with skills and competency needed to meet all applicable regulatory, risk and patient safety requirements.
Provides feedback for employee performance evaluations regarding competency levels and educational compliance/ needs.

Assists manager in overseeing daily work unit operations, including scheduling and staffing, to ensure that activities are conducted in accordance with internal policies/standards/procedures and/or applicable legal/regulatory requirements.

Tracks and documents daily unit activities; oversees the resolution of daily clinical, administrative and/or operational issues, and monitors/troubleshoots service recovery and other escalated concerns, resolving within defined scope of responsibility.
Collects/tracks data (e.g. restraint logs, eye wash logs, culture logs, central line audits, etc.) and produces statistical reports to provide information for improving department’s outcomes.

Coordinates work unit clinical quality and patient safety activities. Monitors services, patient outcomes, quality control, family/patient satisfaction, staffing needs and operational effectiveness to facilitate optimal care delivery; identifies trends/opportunities and provides recommendations to Director/Manager for new quality/performance improvement initiatives.
Performs clinical audits and makes rounds to observe the provision of patient care; identifies and takes appropriate corrective action to resolve issues; participates in IRIS investigations.
Implements and monitors quality control/quality assurance and productivity standards; ensures that applicable standards, systems and procedures are understood and followed; reviews and audits related documentation to ensure conformance with established standards relating to timeliness, and accuracy; prepares periodic productivity reports and program updates for review of higher-level authority.
Cultural Sensitivity and Competence: Demonstrates proper use of communication tools/materials for effective communication and understands how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication, collaboration and the provision of care, treatment and services. Patient Population Served: Demonstrates knowledge and proper skills associated with the department’s defined specific populations served.
Performs related duties as required.

Education/Work Experience Requirements
Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and five years of progressively responsible related work experience that would demonstrate possession of the requisite job knowledge and skills, including at least one year of “lead” or charge RN experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities. Work experience in delivering clinical education and/or overseeing quality improvement projects is strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree in nursing or other healthcare-related discipline pertinent to area of specialty is strongly preferred.
An equivalent combination of additional qualifying education (e.g. BSN) may be substituted for up to two years of the experience requirement.
Job Knowledge/Abilities:
Knowledge of professional nursing principles, standards, protocols, procedures, equipment and associated clinical data management relating to assigned work unit.
Knowledge of FHS policies, standards and procedures, as well as legal/regulatory requirements applicable to work unit operations and services.
Knowledge of the function and application of automated systems applicable to the assigned clinical area.
Knowledge of the standards and practices relating to safety, hazardous materials, risk management and security procedures applicable to matters within designated scope of responsibility.
Knowledge of effective methods and tools relating to adult education in clinical practice.
Knowledge of performance/quality improvement concepts and techniques.
Ability to develop effective educational materials, and train others on clinical/quality/compliance concepts and procedures.
Ability to effectively oversee daily operations in accordance with established standards and procedures.
Ability to understand and apply daily staffing practices and scheduling requirements.
Ability to communicate, interpret and apply policies, standards, protocols and procedures applicable to matters within assigned scope of authority.
Ability to keep abreast of trends, developments and regulatory requirements impacting matters with designated scope of authority.
Ability to understand operational/productivity reports and to recognize opportunities to increase efficiency, enhance productivity and reduce costs/expenses associated with matters under designated scope of authority
Ability to read, understand and communicate in English sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
Ability to use office equipment and automated systems/applications/software at an acceptable level.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by the duties of the position.
Licensure/Certification
Current active Washington State RN license.
Certification in specialty area to be obtained within one year of hire.
Current healthcare provider BLS Certification.