Nurse Educator – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU

Nurse Educator — Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Howard University Hospital | Washington, DC

As a NICU Nurse Educator at Howard University Hospital, you will be the clinical education cornerstone of our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit — designing and delivering evidence-based programs that build staff competency, elevate patient safety, and advance the professional growth of every nurse who cares for our most fragile patients. Reporting to the Director of Women and Infant Services, you will serve as educator, facilitator, change agent, and leader, interfacing with nursing managers, clinical staff, neonatologists, and families to ensure our team is always equipped to deliver safe, high-quality, family-centered neonatal care.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a structured NICU-specific orientation program for new hires at all experience levels — new graduates, experienced NICU nurses, and lateral transfers
• Coordinate preceptor assignments and provide ongoing coaching, support, and evaluation of preceptor–orientee pairs; adjust learning plans and timelines based on individual progression
• Facilitate simulation-based learning experiences covering neonatal resuscitation, emergency management, and critical procedures including vascular access and respiratory support
• Supervise employees during unit-level orientation for the purpose of education and training

• Assess learning needs of NICU staff on an annual and ongoing basis through observation, quality data review, and staff input; develop targeted education plans in response
• Plan and deliver engaging in-services, skills days, and workshops on NICU-specific topics including thermoregulation, respiratory support (conventional ventilation, HFOV, CPAP, HFNC), hemodynamic monitoring, vascular access (UVC, UAC, PICC), developmental care, NEC surveillance, and sepsis recognition
• Ensure annual and ongoing competency validations are completed, documented, and maintained in the LMS per policy and regulatory requirements
• Develop, review, and maintain unit competency checklists, skills check-offs, and all NICU-specific training materials

• Serve as a clinical resource and expert consultant for complex neonatal patients, emerging practice issues, and new equipment or technology rollouts
• Participate in unit, department, and hospital-level Performance Improvement activities; use quality and safety data to identify practice gaps and drive educational programming
• Contribute to the development, review, and revision of NICU policies, procedures, and evidence-based clinical guidelines
• Share responsibility for the quality and safety of patient care delivered in the NICU

• Lead, coach, and mentor clinical staff with a focus on professional growth, resilience, and best practice outcomes
• Participate in shared governance councils, committees, and work groups at the unit, department, and hospital levels
• Champion evidence-based practice initiatives and support staff through practice transitions as a change agent
• Prepare an annual self-development plan, set measurable professional goals, and actively seek opportunities to achieve them
• Maintain active membership in a relevant professional nursing organization (e.g., NANN, AWHONN)

• Ensure all educational activities align with professional standards, regulatory agency requirements, and institutional policies
• Promote adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, Howard University Code of Ethics, Health Sciences Standards of Conduct, and HIPAA
• Attend all mandatory compliance training including HIPAA Privacy training; actively participate in compliance program activities
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patients, families, and staff

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required;
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or related field strongly preferred
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the District of Columbia (or eligibility)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)…