Professional Development Nurse

Job Details

Description

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as:

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Shift Differential Pay: P.M. shift (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM) = 10% of base pay.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.
  
  

Position: Professional Development Nurse -Full Time

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $48.5587 to $75.6528. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions to the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Definition

The Professional Development Nurse follows the Board of Registered Nurses scope of practice as a framework and is responsible for overseeing the education and orientation program for all clinical staff in collaboration with department directors, supervisors, clinical nurse leaders (CNL) and preceptors. The Professional Development Nurse assesses, plans, develops, implements, and evaluates nursing education programs in response to health care demands, trends, identified learning needs, department goals, quality improvement measures, risk management, regulatory changes, and compliance criteria. This position also assists with the development and validation of competency performance for staff skills on all clinical units using evidence-based practice to develop and update staff training modules, as indicated.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The NPD Practitioner will advance quality health care by defining and promoting clinical processes and practice using the standards of nursing professional development:

Standard 1 – Assessment of Practice Gaps

Standard 2 – Identification of Learning Needs

Standard 3 – Outcomes Identification

Standard 4 – Planning

Standard 5 – Implementation

Standard 6 - Evaluation

Essential Functions

• Coordinates the delivery of education for staff orientations, competency assessments, and establishes course and programs based on annual needs assessments and educational compliance requirements.
• Facilitates a positive learning and practice environment using evidenced-based practice, and methodologies that incorporate the principles of adult education and learning styles.
• Consultation using research/evidenced based practice and quality improvement processes
• Delivers learning content and services to the nursing staff in a variety of ways to achieve understanding and meets the needs of the learners to achieve desired outcomes.
• Helps promote the organizations desired goals by guiding and supporting nursing staff through the change process. Ensures new processes and procedures are well presented and thoroughly trained to staff.
• Provides guidance, knowledge, offers feedback, and support to nursing staff on policies, procedures and changing techniques or information.
• Acts as a leader to nursing staff to represent the hospital in a professional manner to foster a collaborative, supportive and productive learning environment.
• Actively supports, demonstrates, and promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and evidence to advance clinical knowledge, guide clinical practice, and improve patient care. Supports the transition of nurses and other healthcare team members across practice and learning environments, roles, and professional stages.
• Discusses compliance with National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) processes, as appropriate.
• Evaluates own practice and seeks out and participates in opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills
• Follows all the Joint Commission standards applicable for this position.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding sensitive issues and information, as required by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other confidentiality requirements.
• Participates in educational training to develop awareness of new techniques, procedures and instruments.
• Completes continuing education to comply with federal and state laws and to enhance professional growth.
• Participates in training content experts to provide train the trainer education.
• Participates in Professional Development/Designated Specialty committees
• Actively demonstrates commitment to providing excellent customer service.
• Adheres and supports Kern Medical’s policies and procedures, as well as the hospital’s mission, vision and values, and strategic plan
• Enables and encourages a safe care environment for patients, families and co-workers by modeling and providing the education of correct processes.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Employment Standards

• Current, clear and unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license
• Associate’s degree in Nursing, Baccalaureate Degree of Nursing, or completion of Bachelor’s program within one year of hire, or a relevant combination of education and experience in lieu of the Bachelor’s degree requirement
• Master’s Degree in Nursing Education (preferred)
• Minimum of three (3) years’ Registered Nursing experience in an acute clinical or educational setting.
  
  

Knowledge Of

Theory, techniques and practices of nursing; medical terminology, instruments and equipment; the uses and effects of medicines and narcotics.

Skill In

Following oral and written instruction and maintain concise and complete records. Demonstrate the practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care specific to the assigned work area/specialty; meet the content and performance criteria specific to each defined specialty, including the nursing process, leadership/professional; Proficient in performing clinical education and teaching skills.

development, and unit operation; demonstration of standard techniques of record maintenance and report writing; using computers and related software applications; keyboarding and using standard office equipment; follow oral and written instruction; communicate both orally and in writing sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction; prepare and maintain concise and comprehensive required records and reports; establish and maintain effective work relationships with staff, other hospital employees, patients and their families; dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of populations served by Kern Medical facilities.

Ability To

Communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships and collaborative partnerships; Work constructively under pressure; Respond resourcefully when challenges arise and accepts responsibility for actions. Participates in a positive problem-resolving manner when problems are identified.

Supplemental

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec.3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2-Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following a significant emergency or disaster.