RN - Nursing Educator

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

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

10/1/2023

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

800062

Job Title:

RN - Nursing Educator

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The RN – Nursing Educator is responsible for assisting in the assessment, development, coordination, presentation, and evaluation of educational program needs within the identified area(s) of practice. Core responsibilities include new employee and student population orientation, continuing education, supervision of nursing students, and assisting with screening and interviewing of candidates. The Nursing Educator is accountable for employee orientation of new staff members to the identified department(s). The Educator adjusts orientation to highly varied backgrounds ranging from new graduates to experts. He/she creates educational tools and resources specific to the level of staff oriented.

The RN – Nursing Educator coordinates education for existing staff members in identified areas/as assigned. The Educator is responsible for program development, evaluation, and revisions to reflect the changing dynamics in the healthcare environment. Education is customized to meet individual learning needs.

The RN – Nursing Educator coordinates and provides clinical instruction for nursing students as appropriate. He/she precepts advanced students in additional experiences in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, the UW Madison School of Nursing, and other schools as applicable. The Educator serves as a resource for other ancillary allied health programs (e.g. paramedic students) and assists with outreach and community relations with other colleges offering nursing and other programs as appropriate. The incumbent coordinates and provides presentations for organizations as a representative of UW Health upon request.

The Nursing Educator consults with leadership teams and a variety of disciplines and departments throughout UW Health.  Consultations may include other resources outside the institution. The role requires the ability to plan, schedule, and organize training programs on a wide variety of subjects. The Educator also serves in a consultative role to clinicians. 

The Educator role requires self-direction and assumes responsibility for the advancement of nursing practice by developing new approaches, methods, or techniques to patient care practice issues in accordance with clinical standards. The incumbent participates in and contributes to departmental policy and procedure development and quality assurance review.  Clinical competence is maintained through instruction and oversight.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Deliver a systematic orientation program for new employees.

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Work with area leadership team(s) to consult, develop, and evaluate orientation programs.

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Provide orientation program instruction for new employees.

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Assure orientation standards are maintained and support the UW Health Professional Practice Model.

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Assist in the improvement of the orientation program through evaluation and incorporation of changing departmental operational needs as well as changes in evidence-based practice.

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Identify and obtain resources needed for educational programs and consult/collaborate with others as appropriate.

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Assist in the development and implementation of an ongoing department-based continuing education plan for staff.

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Provide orientation to new equipment and patient care procedures.

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Develop and coordinate presentation of annual in-service programs.

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Provide resources and develop orientation materials.

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Promote cost effective behavior in staff through in-service and education.

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Assist in the development of the preceptor role.

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Develop instructional/educational media.

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Identify and establish clinical learning opportunities for students in various health care disciplines.

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Consult with clinical instructors to establish learning objectives and strategies to maximize students’ learning experiences.

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Monitor students’ performance in conjunction with faculty.

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Provide on-site clinical oversight for nursing students of University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Nursing and other Schools of Nursing as guided.

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Develop RN’s skill to facilitate the clinical instructor and precepting roles.

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Precept nursing student experiences in the department.

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Support UW Health through consultation and/or participation in health promotion, health education, and specialty requests from the community.

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Advanced level of expertise in nursing practice is provided.

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Demonstrate clinical knowledge for both routine and complex patient care needs through instruction and oversight of the clinicians in direct patient care.

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Consult with health care providers concerning patient care issues and formulate a plan to resolve those issues. Establish collaborative relationships for effective interdisciplinary care.

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Assure that patient/family centered nursing care is provided within the UW Health and departmental established policies/procedures, practices, and related standards.

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Analyze clinical practice and identify opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency.

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Identify clinical indicators to measure and evaluate quality care. Assure that appropriate quality monitoring occurs for the patient population and findings are used to improve practice and maximize patient outcomes.

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Evaluate clinical practice standards by coordinating the development and revision of policies and procedures.

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Possess knowledge and skills necessary to meet the developmental needs of patients.

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Demonstrate the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status in relation to age groups.

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Demonstrate the ability to interpret each patient’s nursing care requirements relative to their age specific needs.

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Demonstrate the ability to provide instruction and oversight of the clinicians in direct patient care relative to the patient’s age specific needs.

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Advance the nursing profession through development of clinical expertise, participation in research, and dissemination of knowledge and information.

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Contribute to the advancement of nursing practice through publication and/or presentations.

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Provide specialized knowledge about nursing practice to individuals within UW Health and its affiliates as well as the community.

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Support the implementation of the strategic plan, ad hoc projects, and educational activities as assigned.

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Promote the professional development of the nursing staff in the department.

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Act as a colleague, peer, and clinical expert to assist staff in professional self-development, including certification.

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Promote the growth of staff in areas such as group process, decision-making, and clinical skills by identifying areas for improvement, goal setting, formal and informal learning, and coaching.

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Provide peer review feedback and participate in the probationary evaluations conducted by the area leadership team(s) upon request.

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As requested, assist with interviews and recommend candidates for selection that have appropriate clinical skills and professional characteristics to match department needs.

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Research is initiated, replicated, and the findings applied.

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Initiate questions for evaluation and collaborate in the investigation of a problem.

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Develop and test techniques of assessment and patient intervention.

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Facilitate research activities of others by sharing information and providing a receptive environment.

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Evaluate and disseminate research findings and modify nursing care based on new knowledge.

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Apply the results of quality assurance studies to identify and design clinical research activities.

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

(Select all that apply)

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Science – Nursing degree (BSN).

Required

Must obtain Master’s degree in Nursing in relevant specialty within five (5) years of start date in this position.

Required

Three (3) years of relevant nursing experience.

Required

Previous experience as a nursing educator.

Preferred

Five (5) years of relevant nursing experience.

Preferred

Experience in an academic medical center.

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.

Required

Certification in specialty area.

Preferred

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

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Demonstrated clinical expertise as an advanced level practitioner in the appropriate health care field and in adult education.

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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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Demonstrated flexibility to meet the complex and changing needs of the department.

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Knowledge of computer technology.

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Possess knowledge of the principles of growth and developmental needs of patients.

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Ability and skill to develop and train staff in computer programs.

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Troubleshooting for the department’s computer programs in both program management and hardware is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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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

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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#

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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#

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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.