Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Department: Nursing and Clinical Education

Position is located: Mercy Medical Office Building

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Summary:

The Director of Nursing Practice and Clinical Education is responsible for the strategic and operational nursing leadership in the oversight and implementation of evidence-based nursing practice and clinical education throughout the Hospital. The incumbent oversees the on-going assessment of educational needs and provides leadership and support to develop and implement diverse educational opportunities to address those needs. The incumbent works collaboratively with the Patient Care Services (PCS) and Medical Group (MMG) leadership teams and provides clinical oversight to all RN'soutside of the Patient Care Services Division to create a connection to the broader community of Northern Light Health nurses. The Director of Nursing Practice and Clinical Education establishes collegial relationships across the Hospital and within Northern Light Health and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration relative to clinical and professional practice. The incumbent provides, develops, implements, and provides oversight to nursing orientation, new graduate nursing education, competency assessment and maintains affiliation with area schools of nursing, seeking opportunities to strengthen the experience of student nurses. The incumbent promotes evidenced based nursing practice through the Quality, Research and Clinical Practice Council and the revision and development of nursing policies and procedures. The incumbent provides leadership for all clinical educators and provides clinical oversight of RN'soutside of the PCS Division. The position requires frequent travel to various practice sites and flexibility in schedule. The Director of Nursing Practice and Clinical Education performs duties and tasks in accordance with standards established for the job. The incumbent may have access to highly confidential patient, employee and/or organizational proprietary information, and must handle and protect the information in accordance with hospital and system policies, HIPAA requirements and the highest level of ethical standards. The incumbent is responsible for reporting all security events, potential events, or other security risks to the organization. The incumbent is responsible for participation in and completion of all patient safety initiatives appropriate to the position and conducts all job responsibilities according to the Mission and Values of the Hospital.

Responsibilities:

Communicates and enforces the system-wide Corporate Compliance program.Reports any potential or real ethical, legal or regulatory violations to the Corporate Compliance Officer.Encourages staff to report Corporate Compliance issues either directly or through the Compliance Line (may be anonymous).Assists with investigations into alleged violations, and the development and implementation of disciplinary and/or corrective action as indicated.In collaboration with the practice manager, continually assesses the practices for clinical compliance with all federal, state, local and other regulatory (TJC, OSHA, CMS etc.) requirements.Completes annual staff training, ensuring staff understanding of participation in the above.Facilitates a structured clinical orientation process and ensures compliance.Ensures annual assessment of nursing competency to meet licensing and regulatory requirements.Maintains and integrates system-wide nursing competencies.Explores opportunities on an ongoing basis to incorporate the use of multimodal educational approaches in order to meet the diversified learning needs of staff.Fosters a positive attitude about the benefits and opportunities for lifelong learning at the Hospital and all other Northern Light facilities.Oversees the placement of nursing students from various universities and colleges and facilitates the orientation of nursing students and new clinical faculty to the Hospital.Facilitates the extern and new graduate orientation and education program.Serves as a role model and resource to students, new employees, experienced employees, managers and staff.Collaborates with physicians and practice managers to develop evidence based patient care protocols, policies, and procedures.In partnership with ambulatory medical and operational leadership, standardizes (where appropriate) clinical processes.Collaborates with practice managers to provide clinical input into employee performance appraisals in a timely, fair, and consistent manner.Provides positive and constructive feedback to staff on an ongoing basis.Collaborates with MMA leadership to foster PCMH /ACO and medical neighborhood integration and development.Serves as a member of MMG and PCS Leadership teams and actively participates in meetings.Serves as a liaison linking all RN'soutside of the PCS Division to the Vice President, Nursing and Patient Care Services.Collaborates with MMG leadership to incorporate the organizational mission and goals into yearly written goals and objectives related to clinical activities in MMG.Encourages staff at all levels to contribute ideas that will improve clinical performance.Builds credibility with providers as a champion for patient care, quality, and nursing professionalism.Works collaboratively with colleagues at all levels to evaluate and assist in the development of multidisciplinary programs, systems, and processes that are designed to improve/enhance clinical practice and promote professional development educational programs.Maintains membership in and contributes to the work of professional organizations.Identifies the need for system/practice changes and assesses nursing education needs. Develops a strategic plan to meet these assessed needs.Determines fiscal resources required to meet strategic priorities and assume accountability for management of the department budget.Seeks opportunities to network and collaborate with colleagues outside of Northern Light Health.Ensures continued provision of the ANA Contact hours Providership program.Maintains membership in and contribute to the work of professional organizations (e.g. Outreach Education Council, Maine Partners in Nursing Education and Practice, etc.).Accountable for identifying own learning needs and seeks opportunities to further own professional growth.Creates an environment which promotes professional and personal growth.Maintains required documentation and record keeping systems.Evaluates overall educational program effectiveness.Demonstrates stewardship of financial resources.Uses appropriate measuring tools and methods in quality-improvement activities.Participates with other leaders in the hospital'sdecision-making structures and processes.Exercises leadership style that fosters collaboration to achieve consensus and cooperation.Exercises patience and control, particularly in difficult or stressful situations.Demonstrates an organizational perspective and concern about the impact of decisions and actions.Develops multidisciplinary programs, systems and processes that support the provision of excellent patient care.Demonstrates ability to serve as a resource person, consultant to nursing, instructors, students, and other medical personnelIntegrates or provides research into developing and teaching educational programs.Ensures availability of resources needed to facilitate evidence-based practice and research.Supports and mentor' staff in the use of evidence-based literature in their practice.In collaboration with managers contributes to an effective continuous quality improvement plan to measure, assess, and improve the quality of nursing care.Participates in the design of continuum of care options for managing patient transitions of care.Develops and maintain current knowledge of population health, ACO and innovative care delivery models.Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to help establish safe and effective systemsParticipates in efforts to achieve programmatic certifications.Serves as a change agent, assisting others in understanding the importance, necessity, impact, and process of change.Recognizes one'sown reaction to change and strive to remain open to new ideas and approaches.Supports staff during times of difficult transitions.Adapts leadership style to situational needs.Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Other Information:

BLS Required.

Competencies and Skills

Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan. Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved. Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Credentials

Required Registered Nurse

Education

Required Bachelor's Degree

Working Conditions

Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people. Potential exposure to diseases or infections. Potential exposure to hazardous materials. Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable. Potential exposure to noxious odors. Work with computers, typing, reading or writing. Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds. Prolonged periods of sitting. Prolonged periods of standing. Prolonged periods of walking. Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.