Nursing Education Specialist

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

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

7/1/2023

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

300009

Job Title:

Nursing Education Specialist

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Nursing Education Specialist (NES) collaborates with nursing leadership and staff across departments to assess, plan, develop, implement, facilitate, evaluate and revise educational programming for nursing personnel and non-nursing personnel as requested within the areas for which they are responsible. The incumbent acts as a key resource in the orientation and continuing education of staff at UW Health.

The NES implements a comprehensive education program to enhance clinical development of the staff within their assigned areas/departments. Educational programs typically include, but are not limited to, orientation, continuing education, and in-services. Other services may include, but are not limited to, process, performance and service-delivery consultation and contributions to the organization through ad-hoc or permanently established councils, committees, and workgroups. In addition to education, responsibilities may include collaboration with physician and nursing leaders, as well as other care providers to ensure well-coordinated, multidisciplinary educational programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

•

Collects and assesses data and information related to education needs and other pertinent situations, including identification of gaps, trends, issues and supporting data to determine a comprehensive education program for assigned areas including classroom, clinical experiences and learning technologies. Identifies orientation and continuing education need, through appropriate needs assessment(s) and plans appropriate learning and skills development.

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Assesses, plans, develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive education programs utilizing the fundamental principles of adult learning/education. Through this work, the NES will be able to meet the orientation, ongoing competency, and professional development needs of staff, with a specific focus for their assigned areas, supporting the UW Health model of professional nursing practice.

•

Ensures all programs meet department, Nursing, UW Health and regulatory expectations/standards. Adheres to national education practice standards and stays abreast of and incorporates current research into nursing education practice.

•

Plans educational programming for new or changing programs of care.

•

Provides consultation to enhance continuing education, professional development, and mentorship opportunities.

•

Develops, delivers, and/or coordinates educational programs as directed (e.g., Grand Rounds, in-services, continuing education, job-specific and specialty curricula) to support competence and professional growth.

•

Develops curricula that is reflective of evidence-based practice and uses appropriate methods of teaching to accommodate learning styles and the learning environment.

•

Plans, develops, and evaluates the preceptor program to enhance the orientation process and the retention of staff.

•

Develops education programs that contribute to achieving outcomes as expected.

•

Serves as a consultant for adult education principles, methodologies, and marketing strategies.

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Serves as a facilitator to nurse residents and actively mentors and supports their growth in the profession and clinical practice.

•

Participates in continuing education provider unit as a Nurse Planner. Utilizes American Nurses Credentialing Center-Commission on Accreditation/Wisconsin Nurses Association Continuing Education Approval Program (ANCC-COA/WNA CEAP) criteria to assess needs, plan, implement and evaluate continuing nursing education activities which qualify for continuing education credit. Participates in activities to keep abreast of the changes to the ANCC-COA/WNA CEAP criteria, the policies/procedures of the provider unit, and the expectations of the Nurse Planner role.

•

Integrates relevant research outcomes into nursing professional development practice through effective learning activities.

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Evaluates outcomes of educational programs and utilizes findings for continued improvement. Incorporates objective assessment of classroom and clinical performance into evidence-based evaluation framework. Applies measurement instruments and statistical analysis, seeking consultation when needed.

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Supports integration of research into practice and helps develop staff members’ knowledge and skills in the research process.

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Supports the implementation of leadership decisions that affect nursing practice in the clinical area.

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Assists in development of clinical policies and procedures as requested.

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Provides guidance, resources, and knowledge for professional growth of others.

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Supports innovation and empowerment of staff in decisions that affect nursing and patient care practices in the clinical area.

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Mentors colleagues, other nurses, students and others as appropriate.

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Provides leadership to preceptors and serves as a role model through educational programs and ongoing coaching and mentoring.

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Promotes and/or participates in quality performance improvement activities.

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Participates in strategic planning, ad hoc projects and educational activities as assigned for the department. Communicates effectively with colleagues across UW Health to advance goal achievement.

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Attends and/or leads meetings as they pertain to programs, orientation, staff development and mentoring responsibilities (staff meetings, pediatric leadership meetings, appropriate strategic planning meetings, course planning meetings).

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Fosters achievement of Nursing Education/Development goals and objectives.

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Interacts with staff in an ethical, consistent, fair, timely, appropriate, and decisive manner in accordance with organization-wide and Nursing Department policies.

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Identifies factors that affect staff's ability to fulfill their job responsibilities and collaborates with leadership to effect appropriate change in systems.

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Accepts Committee and workgroup appointments and actively participates to affect change in patient care and the UW Health system.

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Engages as an educator in area of clinical specialty on a local, state, or national level to determine trends in clinical education, practice, and regulation effecting RN’s, LPNs, Surgical Technologists, MAs, and NAs.

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Fosters a positive image of UW Health by promoting and cultivating positive relationships with academic programs. Is accessible to and supportive of undergraduate and graduate nursing students and faculty from affiliate schools of nursing

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Consults with the community for program planning and implementation and evaluation in order to meet staff development and patient care needs.

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Serves as member of city, regional and/or national educational advisory groups as applicable and requested.

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

in Nursing

Required

Master's Degree

in Nursing Education

Preferred

3 years

of relevant clinical nursing experience

Required

3 years

of relevant clinical nursing experience with position specific patient population

Preferred

3 years

of experience providing orientation and education for nursing staff in clinical setting

Preferred

Relevant experience in primary and specialty clinic settings for NES candidates working in ambulatory areas

Preferred

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

Upon Hire

Required

National certification in relevant specialty

Preferred

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

•

Experience in education program design and evaluation

•

Knowledge and experience in adult education principles

•

Evidence of excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

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Demonstrates skill navigating and communicating in a complex environment

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Demonstrates responsibility for reporting to licensing, certification, accreditation, and other regulatory bodies for educational program compliance

•

Ability to work independently

•

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

•

Ability to prioritize workload

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☒

Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, 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 only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☐

Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

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.