Clinical Nurse Specialist

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

9/1/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

800027A

Job Title:

Clinical Nurse Specialist

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with advanced education and training in a specialized area of nursing. The specialty of a CNS may be defined by population, setting, disease or medical subspecialty, type of care or type of problem. The CNS integrates care across the continuum and through three spheres of impact: direct patient care, nurses/nursing personnel and organizations/systems.

Key elements of CNS practice are to advance the art and science of nursing through applying new knowledge and care methods; act as a clinical expert for specific clinical populations; support nursing staff in the translation and implementation of evidence-based practice and new technology into practice; serve as a mentor and consultant to nurses; participate in research; influence decisions at the organizational level to remove care barriers; facilitate quality care and improve patient outcomes, and lead evidence based quality improvement initiatives.

The CNS is responsible and accountable for treatment of health/illness states, disease management, health promotion, and prevention of illness and risk behaviors among individuals, families, groups, and communities. The CNS partners with other RNs, leaders, health care providers and staff to achieve these outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Round on high-risk patients for identification of priority interventions. Synthesize clinical data using advanced clinical judgment and critical thinking to develop differential diagnoses and recommend evidence-based care interventions. Evaluates response to optimize outcomes.

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Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to assess complex patients, synthesize clinical data using advanced clinical judgment and critical thinking to develop differential diagnoses and develop proactive, evidence-based care plans to optimize outcomes.

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Educate and support patients and families to develop the knowledge and skills needed to safely navigate the care continuum

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Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to plan and facilitate discharge planning across the care continuum

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Utilize advanced assessment and care planning to coordinate services and reduce readmissions among high-risk patient populations

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Provide advanced clinical consultation for complex patient cases

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Design and implement evidence-based, cost-effective interventions and nursing therapies tailored to patient needs

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Evaluate patient outcomes and modify treatment plans to improve clinical effectiveness and safety

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Serve as a patient and family advocate, ensuring care is patient-centered, culturally responsive, and equitable.

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Provide expert consultation to nursing staff related to complex patient care needs and clinical decision-making

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Lead and support efforts to integrate evidence-based practice into nursing workflows and standards of care.

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Promote strategies to reduce the impact of implicit bias and improve equitable nursing care and outcomes

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Advocate for nurses to practice at the full scope of licensure and professional capability

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Mentor, coach, and develop nursing staff to enhance clinical skills, critical thinking, and professional growth

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Foster a healthy work environment grounded in respect, collaboration, inclusion, and recognition

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Apply conflict resolution and negotiation strategies to improve team dynamics and care delivery.

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Partner with nursing leadership to advance practice standards, competencies, and care models.

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Translate research into practice to advance clinical care and nursing practice.

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Lead and participate in quality improvement (QI), patient safety, and performance improvement initiatives

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Analyze clinical and operational data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for system improvement.

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Design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based protocols, policies, procedures, clinical pathways, and care delivery models.

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Facilitate interprofessional collaboration to improve quality, safety, and patient outcomes.

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Lead change management initiatives to respond to evolving organizational and community healthcare needs.

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Evaluate programs, interventions, and outcomes using data-driven methodologies.

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Support technology selection, implementation, and optimization to improve efficiency and care quality.

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Demonstrate stewardship of human, financial, and material resources in decision-making.

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Build partnerships across the organization and community through communication, negotiation, and collaboration.

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Contribute to and disseminate outcomes related to nursing practice, CNS practice, quality initiatives, and fiscal impact.

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Advocate for health equity, ethical practice, and policies that improve patient and population health outcomes.

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Partner with academic and research colleagues to develop, implement, and disseminate new knowledge.

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Evaluate emerging evidence and innovations for clinical applicability and system integration.

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Lead or collaborate on research and evidence-based practice initiatives that improve outcomes.

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Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, accreditation requirements, and professional practice guidelines, and support drive nursing practice to maintain organization licensure and certifications.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Master's Degree

in Nursing

Required

or

Doctorate Degree

in Nursing

Required

3 years

of relevant clinical nursing experience

Required

Previous experience as a clinical nurse specialist or other nurse leadership role

Preferred

Experience in an academic medical center

Preferred

Licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the state of Wisconsin

Upon Hire

Required

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification in areas of specialty or population focus

Upon Hire

Required

Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification

Upon Hire

Required

Certification in specialty area of practice

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Knowledge and experience in development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical programs

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Knowledge of and experience with implementing evidence-based practice

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Knowledge and experience documenting patient care in an electronic medical record

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Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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Ability to make knowledgeable clinical assessments and judgments

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Ability to work independently

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Ability to educate staff, patients and families

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Demonstrates effective and respectful communication with patients, families and the healthcare team

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Ability to facilitate multidisciplinary resolution of issues

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Demonstrates ability to maintain patient and family privacy and confidentiality

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Demonstrates competence within a continuum of professional development from advanced beginner to expert practitioner

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10 lbs.

Negligible Weight

No Weight

☐

Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

Negligible weight

☒

Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

☐

Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

51-100 lbs.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

☐

Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100 lbs.

Over 50 lbs.

Over 25 lbs.

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.