Clinical Nurse Specialist​/Clinical Specialist Med​/Surg

Clinical Specialist

This position will provide oversight for the following units:
Med/Surg, Oncology, and the Observation Unit. The CNS on the unit will partner with Nursing, Acute Care Hospitalists, Cardiac, Surgical and Anesthesia Services, and other disciplines to guarantee the highest quality patient outcomes. They will apply evidence to improve care, efficiency, and patient experience.

The Clinical Specialist is a master's prepared nurse who brings expert knowledge and leadership to the provision of patient care for specific patient aggregates. The Clinical Specialist functions as a member of the department management team and serves as a resource to the interdisciplinary care team for research as well as consulting and education on clinical practice. The Clinical Specialist works collaboratively with other leaders and shared governance groups to ensure patient safety, clinical quality, and professional and educational development of the nursing staff.

For professional development and advancement opportunities, internal candidates who are enrolled in a master's program are eligible for this position and will use the job title "Clinical Specialist" but the position functions mirror that of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

Supports, and is responsible for incorporating into job performance, the Frederick Health (FH) mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy and adheres to the FH Compliance Program, including following all regulatory requirements and the FH Standards of Behavior.

Example of

Essential Functions:

• Maintains advanced knowledge and skills as required by the patient aggregate, including age-specific competencies.
• In complex cases or as indicated, functions as a member of the interdisciplinary care team and provides direct patient/family contact which may include:
• Performing comprehensive assessment and analysis of needs.
• Developing and/or modifying a plan of care through ongoing coordination and integration of the plan to optimize care delivery and patient outcomes.
• Providing emotional support, crisis management and patient and family counseling.
• Providing education and assisting patients and families in making healthcare decisions.
• Identifying resources needed for the ongoing care of the patient
• Resource for and assists the nursing and medical staff in their daily management of patients (e.g., being available to raise concerns, discuss treatment options, clarify patient goals/outcomes, etc.).
• Mentors nursing staff as they care for patients and families with complex needs.
• Collaborates with nursing leaders to monitor clinical practice, identify knowledge/skill needs, and to develop the clinical expertise of staff.
• Supports and facilitates nursing shared governance groups, to help guide nurses to standardize and advance nursing practice, requiring the CNS to be an innovator of nursing practice.
• Promotes the development and implementation of standards of care.
• Applies research methodologies to clinical practice; promotes and facilitates nursing staff use of evidence based research.
• Provides leadership within the Nursing Division for the use of research and the application of research methodologies to clinical practice problems.
• Facilitates implementation of research studies brought to the hospital by outside groups.
• May serve as a preceptor to graduate students.
• Acts as a role model and resource for team members and nursing governance groups in the areas of organizational change, critical thinking, care planning, research, and other professional patient care activities.
• Assists patient care staff to make organizational change relative to clinical practice.
• Works with health care team to problem-solve continuum of care issues and facilitate appropriate use of resources.
• Works with nursing leaders to ensure that staffing systems incorporate patient needs, staff member skill sets and staff mix to provide skilled nurses and adequate resources to accomplish desired outcomes.
• Serves as member of leadership to ensure quality patient care practice and outcomes, as well as the goals of the units, hospital, and corporation.
• May lead interdisciplinary team efforts for process improvement initiatives that require interdepartmental collaboration.
• Provides expert knowledge to colleagues, health professionals, and consumers.
• Represents FMH in professional/community service groups as needed.
• Demonstrates commitment to personal career growth and development.
• Completes 32 CE hours/year in addition to the FMH Mandatory education

The CNS Role Is Carried Out Through Three Spheres of Influence:

1. Patients/Clients

2. Nurses and Nursing Practice

3. Organization/System

A Sphere of Influence is defined as "a domain of CNS practice that encompasses the pertinent stakeholders or consumers of CNS services. A particular sphere of influence identifies the scope or breadth of practice or role activities and parameters of target outcomes associated with a particular sphere of influence."

Reference
- National Association of Clinical Nurse…