Clinical Nurse Specialist

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

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

3/1/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

800027C

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. The three spheres are overlapping and interrelated, but each sphere has a distinct focus. In each of the spheres of impact, the primary goal of the CNS is to support the delivery of high quality, evidence-based care, which is cost-effective and achieves optimal patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes. The CNS identifies where the gaps are in health care delivery, helps design and implement interventions, and assesses and evaluates the interventions to improve overall health care delivery. CNSs provide expertise and support to nurses caring for patients and help drive practice changes throughout the organization. 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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UW Health CNSs practice within the framework of the CNS core competencies as defined by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. (National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). (2019). Statement on clinical nurse specialist practice and education (3rd ed.). Harrisburg, PA: Author)

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The CNS will provide direct and/or indirect interaction with patients, families, and/or groups of patients to promote health or well-being and improve quality of life. This is characterized by a holistic perspective in the advanced nursing management of health, illness, and disease states and results in measurable improvements in nurse-sensitive outcomes.

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Uses relationship-building communication to promote health and wellness, healing, self-care and peaceful end-of-life

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Conducts comprehensive health assessments including psychosocial, functional, physical and environmental factors in diverse care settings

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Synthesizes assessment findings using advanced knowledge, expertise, critical thinking, and clinical judgement to formulate differential diagnoses

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Implements customized evidence-based advanced nursing interventions, including the provision of direct care, to improve nurse-sensitive outcomes

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Designs and employs patient educational strategies that consider readiness to learn, individual preferences, and other social determinants of health

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Uses advanced communication skills in complex situations and difficult conversations

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Provides expert consultation based on a broad range of theories and evidence for patients with complex healthcare needs

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Provides education and coaching to patients with complex learning needs and atypical responses

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Evaluates impact of nursing interventions on patients’ aggregate outcomes using a scientific approach and identifies and addresses adverse patterns and trends

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Leads and facilitates coordinated care and transitions in collaboration with the patient and interprofessional team

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Facilitates patient and family understanding of the risks, benefits, and outcomes of proposed healthcare regiments to promote informed, shared decision-making

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Facilitates resolution of ethical conflicts in complex patient care situations

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Analyzes the ethical impact of scientific advances, including cost and clinical effectiveness, on patient and family values and preferences

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Advocates for patient’s preferences and rights

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The CNS advances nursing practice to achieve optimal outcomes through promoting collaborative practice and cross functional work to meet the multifaceted needs of patients and/or populations. The CNS engages frontline staff in solving problems, promotes use of a common and organized framework, including active and dynamic management of SMART goals as a way to drive outcomes. The CNS also partners with nurses through the shared governance structure.

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Provides expert specialty consultation to nurses related to complex patient care needs

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Provides real time education and consultation to nursing staff as needed

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Promotes interventions that prevent the impact of implicit bias on relationship building and outcomes

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Advocates for nurses to practice to the full extent of their role in the delivery of healthcare

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Leads efforts to resolve ethical conflict and moral distress experienced by nurses and nursing staff

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Fosters a healthy work environment by exhibiting positive regard, conveying mutual respect, and acknowledging the contributions of others

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Employs conflict management and negotiation skills to promote a healthy work environment

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Assesses the nursing practice environment and processes for improvement opportunities

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Uses evidence-based knowledge as a foundation for nursing practice to achieve optimal nurse-sensitive outcomes

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Mentors nurses and nursing staff in using evidence-based practice principles

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Leads nurses in the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating change considering intended and unintended consequences

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Evaluates the outcomes of nursing practice using methods that provide valid data

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Facilitates opportunities for nurses, students, and other staff to acquire knowledge and skills that foster professional development

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Engages nurses in reflective practice activities that promote self-awareness and invite peer feedback to improve the practice of nursing

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Mentors nurses to analyze legislative, regulatory, and fiscal policies that affect nursing practice and patient outcomes

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The CNS articulates the value of nursing care at the organizational, decision-making level, influences system changes that facilitate improvement of quality, cost-effective patient outcomes, and advocates for professional nursing. The CNS directly or indirectly affects change at a clinic, hospital, or health system level and/or at local, state or federal policy levels. The CNS actively advances the UW Health Strategic plan which results in patient care programs and initiatives that are aligned with the organization’s strategic imperatives, mission, vision and values.

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Cultivates a practice environment in which mutual respect, communication, and collaboration contributes to safe, quality outcomes

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Uses leadership, team building, negotiation, collaboration, and conflict resolution to build partnerships within and across systems and/or communities

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Consults with healthcare team members to integrate the needs, preferences, and strengths of a population into the healthcare plan to optimize health outcomes and patient experience within a healthcare system

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Leads and participates in systematic quality improvement and safety initiatives based on precise problem/etiology identification, gap analysis, and process evaluation

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Provides leadership for the interprofessional team in identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices and research opportunities

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Partners with research-focused, doctorally-prepared colleagues to translate, conduct, and disseminate research that addresses gaps and improves clinical knowledge and practice

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Leads and participates in the process of selecting, integrating, managing, and evaluating technology and products to promote safety, quality, efficiency, and optimal health outcomes

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Leads and facilitates change in response to organizational and community needs in a dynamic healthcare environment

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Evaluates system level interventions, programs, and outcomes based on the analysis of information from relevant sources

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Demonstrates stewardship of human and fiscal resources in decision-making

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Disseminates CNS practice and fiscal outcomes to internal stakeholders and the public

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Promotes nursing’s unique contributions to advancing health to stakeholders

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Advocates for ethical principles in protecting the dignity, uniqueness and safety of all

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

Non-Clinical

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Master's Degree

or doctoral degree in Nursing

Required

Master's Degree

or doctoral degree (DNP or PhD) with CNS role focus

Preferred

2 years

of relevant clinical nursing experience

Required

3 years

of relevant clinical nursing experience

Preferred

Previous experience as a clinical nurse specialist

Preferred

Experience in an academic medical center

Preferred

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Wisconsin or holds a license issued by a jurisdiction that has adopted the nurse licensure compact

Upon Hire

Required

Basic Life Support CPR/BLS certification

Upon Hire

Required

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification

within 6 months

Required

CNS certification

Preferred

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.