Clinical Nurse Specialist

Position Overview

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a Masters-prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurse dedicated to enhancing patient care outcomes within the Medical Surgical Units. Serving in five key roles—Expert Clinician, Educator, Leader, Researcher, and Consultant—the CNS actively influences patient care practices, nursing excellence, and system improvements across their specialty areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a clinical expert in medical-surgical nursing practices, providing advanced consultation and support to staff and leadership.
• Develop and facilitate educational programs to enhance staff competency and promote evidence-based practice.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and participate in research activities aimed at improving patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize systems and processes that support safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
• Provide mentorship and support to nursing staff, fostering professional development and clinical excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Master’s degree in Nursing with specialization as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) required.
• Valid and active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Indiana or an active Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) RN license, with the ability to practice as a CNS in Indiana.
• 3-5 years of advanced clinical experience in a medical-surgical or perioperative setting.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Additional advanced life support certifications (e.g., ACLS) may be required based on departmental policies and patient care needs.