Clinical Educator Per Diem

About the Role

Under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager and in collaboration with the Associate Chief for the Center for Clinical and Professional Development, the Nurse Manager, and Assistant Nurse Manager, the Clinical Educator practices within the Lahey Clinic Professional Practice Model, MA Nurse Practice Act, ANA Standards of Practice, and Code of Ethics. This role promotes excellence in nursing practice by providing expert nursing care to patients and functioning as a clinical and educational resource to nursing staff. The nurse-patient/family relationship, continuity of care, and accountability are central to delivering individualized, high-quality patient care.

The Clinical Educator facilitates coordination of care across the continuum and demonstrates safe practice within the domains of clinical judgment and decision-making, nurse-patient/family relationship, clinical leadership, and clinical scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Judgment and Decision Making:
  • Facilitates the nursing process, including providing safe patient care, performing systematic assessments, evaluating effectiveness, and adapting plans based on patient/family response.
  • Collaborates with staff nurses on assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and documentation of nursing care.
  • Performs routine rounds to observe care delivery and offer guidance, especially for complex or difficult patient problems.
  • Provides resources and information to improve patient care outcomes and develop staff skills.
  • Coordinates patient teaching and discharge planning.
  • Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates patient outcomes and standards of care.
  • Works with leadership to plan, implement, and evaluate changes in practice.
  • Develops unit-based standards of practice/protocols aligned with Nursing Department goals.
  • Educates nurses on standards of practice/protocols.
  • Coordinates and implements unit-based education on new or revised policies, procedures, products, and equipment.
  • Participates in hospital and nursing committees.
  • Develops and monitors continuous improvement initiatives on the unit.
  • Ensures maintenance of educational files, bulletin boards, and literary resources.
  • Guides and instructs staff in their role as direct caregivers.
  • Evaluates nursing practice to provide clinical learning opportunities.
  • Assists staff in incorporating evidence-based knowledge into daily practice.
• Nurse-Patient/Family Relationship:
  • Facilitates the establishment of a professional relationship with patients and families.
  • Communicates the RN role to patients and families.
  • Elicits questions and concerns from patients and family members.
  • Orients patients/families to the roles of the healthcare team and unit environment.
  • Respects and integrates the religious/spiritual, ethnic, and cultural values of patients and families into the plan of care.
  • Communicates with patients and families in an age-appropriate manner.
  • Presents patient/family values to other members of the healthcare team.
  • Maintains confidentiality and patient rights.
  • Informs patients of their rights.
  • Teaches patients and families about illnesses, treatments, and preventive measures.
  • Teaches self-care procedures appropriately.
  • Communicates changes in the plan of care.
  • Provides information and teaches skills regarding prevention and wellness.
• Clinical Leadership:
  • Serves as a role model by integrating components of professional nursing practice, including clinical practice, consultation, collaboration, leadership, education, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
  • Demonstrates professional behavior and a commitment to the practice setting.
  • Displays a positive attitude and supports change in the workplace.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to patient safety.
  • Adheres to unit policies and procedures, including dress code, punctuality, and scheduling.
  • Uses resource manuals and professional journals to integrate evidence-based practice.
  • Seeks guidance from appropriate resources and experts.
  • Is knowledgeable about performance improvement activities and measurement data.
  • Functions as a responsive team member, completing individual assignments and delegating work appropriately.
  • Communicates patient needs and interests across shifts, units, or disciplines.
  • Upholds standards of quality nursing care and participates in continuing education.
• Clinical Scholarship:
  • Assumes the role of an evidence-based practice champion.
  • Incorporates research-based knowledge into nursing practice.
  • Participates in nursing research projects and journal clubs.
  • Implements unit-based journal clubs.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning.
  • Identifies typical problems in patient care and reviews practice decisions with experienced personnel.
  • Seeks patient assignments or work experiences to strengthen skill acquisition.
  • Identifies learning needs and seeks appropriate assistance.
  • Sets realistic goals for professional development.
  • Participates in professional nursing organizations and pursues certification in the field of practice.
  • Participates in Shared Governance Councils and nursing/organization committees.
  • Develops formal and informal educational programs to assist nursing staff.
  • Works with leadership to determine educational programs for the unit.
  • Develops and implements unit-based educational programs based on annual needs assessments.
  • Participates in the development and presentation of hospital-wide educational programs.
  • Develops and implements orientation schedules and programs for new staff.
  • Reviews current research findings to determine relevance to unit practice.
  • Evaluates, counsels, and documents the competency and performance of nursing staff.
  • Serves as a resource for students from affiliated schools of nursing and allied health.
  • Provides support to nursing staff serving as preceptors for students.
• Organizational Requirements:
  • Incorporates Lahey Clinic Guiding Principles, Mission Statement, and Goals into daily activities.
  • Complies with all Lahey Clinic policies and behavioral expectations.
  • Maintains courteous and effective interactions with colleagues and patients.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to meeting and exceeding customer needs and adhering to Customer Service standards.
  • Participates in departmental and/or interdepartmental quality improvement activities.
  • Completes mandatory education requirements.

Requirements

• Education: Master of Science in Nursing or equivalent advanced degree in a health-related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Licensure, Certification & Registration:
  • Current license to practice professional nursing from the Massachusetts Board of Registration.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) instructor certification.
• Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:
  • Knowledge of nursing theory and practice acquired through completion of a Board of Registration-approved nursing education program within the United States or as certified by the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
• Experience: 5 years of current, relevant nursing experience required. An additional 1-3 years of training and education experience, preferably in a healthcare setting.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $39.25 - $101.17 per hour. Actual compensation is determined based on factors such as seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additions.