Thank you for your interest in joining our team! Please review the job information below.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB:
The Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Specialist develops tools, theories, skills, and knowledge of NPD to improve the practice of staff at the organization/system level. The NPD specialist is accountable for developing and assessing associate, generalist and specialist competencies. Assumes the lead role/program director for assigned program or project.
AGE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCE:
Must demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to select appropriate psychomotor, cognitive, and affective educational content, materials, techniques, and strategies to establish a positive learning environment. Implements appropriate communication skills with interaction and teaching methods for customers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.
Roles
The NPD Specialist functions in the following roles:
Learning facilitator:
The NPD specialist uses the educational design process to bridge the knowledge, skills, and/or practice gaps identified through needs assessment.
• Assumes primary lead role for assigned program or project as designated by Director (examples (not an inclusive list): Continuing Education Lead Nurse Planner, Transition to Practice Program, Simulation Center Program Lead, Professional Development programs, Nurse/clinical Leader Development Programs)
• Functions as a Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Nurse Planner.
• Designs educational activities and programs to address practice gaps for identified target audiences, including for non-licensed healthcare personnel, according to accrediting agencies i.e ANCC etc.
• Leads or participates in the coordination of conferences/seminars as needed.
• Measures and communicates return on investment (ROI) for organizational educational programs.
• Instructs courses to support the Department/Organization as needed.
Change agent: The NPD specialist actively works to transform processes at micro, meso-, and macrosystem levels through inspiration, initiation, adoption, and sustainment of and adaptation to change using project management and improvement processes.
• Assists with the development, review, and implementation of policies, procedures or products.
• Develops, leads and/or facilitates interprofessional Committees, Councils, Teams.
• Uses a systematic approach, analyzes issues, forecast trends and supporting data to determine the learning needs of individuals, service lines, and organizations.
Mentor:
The NPD specialist advances the profession by contributing to the professional development of others and supporting life-long learning as individuals develop across practice, professional and educational settings.
• Acts as a resource person/consultant to nursing, ancillary staff, clinical students and others.
• Acts as a mentor for new Professional Development staff, Preceptors or Nurse Residents.
• Assists others in professional role development, role transitions, and succession planning.
Leader:
The NPD specialist influences the interprofessional practice and learning environments, the NPD specialty, the profession of nursing, and healthcare.
• Differentiates educational problems from system problems.
• Supports the maintenance of regulatory requirements to the organization.
• Writes grant proposals or participates in grant-writing process.
Champion for scientific inquiry: The NPD specialist promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and evidence to advance NPD practice, guide clinical practice, and improve patient care.
• Incorporates Quality Improvement strategy integration into education and clinical practice if delegated by Director; develops education plans, content and teaches as needed to support organization goals and plans.
• Works with academic partners to develop education, evidence-based practices and partnerships with students to promote the organization and global nursing profession’s growth.
Advocate for NPD specialty:
The NPD specialist actively supports, promotes, and demonstrates
nursing professional development as a nursing practice specialty.
• Participates in ongoing professional self-development.
• Mentors and supports new educators and education support staff.
Partner for practice transitions: The NPD specialist supports the transition of nurses and other healthcare team members across learning and practice environments, roles, and professional stages.
• Identifies internal and external resources available for staff and organization.
• Develops sponsor/education activities with vendors and industry.
• Develops links with academia and practice.
• Liaison with academic partners for student experiences, recruitment and retention programs.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Accountable for ensuring that assigned programs are consistently operationalized throughout all practice settings and sites without deviation or variability through the quality assurance process.
• Mentors, guides and ensures that practice setting coordinators/nurse planners consistently follow program guidelines and standards at all practice settings and sites.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
• Customer Service –Consistently demonstrates use of the Driscoll Way customer service model.
• Interpersonal Skills- Develops and maintains rapport with others. Listens well. Facilitates a group process.
• Adaptability/flexibility – Demonstrates the ability to change behaviors and plans to meet rapidly changing/ competing job demands (new or unusual situations). Receives change as a challenge.
• Communication – Clearly and effectively communicates ideas and requests to others.
• Initiative – Starts and completes tasks with minimum of prompting. Assumes additional responsibilities to support the Department/Organization.
• Team Player – Fully participates in maintaining a positive team environment. Builds trust among co-workers, focusing on accomplishing organization mission and goals.
• Organized and efficient – Organizes work and uses time efficiently. Recommends innovative ways of doing work more efficiently and effectively.
• Core Values –Practices DCH core values.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
• BSN required in addition to a graduate level degree in nursing or a related field.
• Five (5) years clinical nursing experience preferred.
• One (1) year experience in adult education preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS.
• Current RN Texas license
• Basic Life Support Provider
• A National Certification is required to start in role and the National Specialty Certification in Nursing Professional Development must be obtained within 2 years of hire and maintained thereafter.