Clinical Nurse Specialist

Description Summary

A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) functions as part of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to provide high-quality cost-effective care to patients within the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse scope. The role reflects the mission, vision and values of the organization and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and other regulatory and accreditation standards. The CNS integrates evidenced-based care across UNC Health through three spheres of impact: Clinical Practice with patients, Nursing/Nursing Practice, and Organization/Systems to produce sustainably improved patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert clinical care to complex patients within specialty population, advocating for a patient’s unique preference
• Intervene to educate, guide and coach the patient and/or caregivers to establish a patient centered plan of care and navigate complex healthcare systems
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary members of the healthcare team to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care delivery to improve and promote health care outcomes. Identifies opportunities to improve patient care
• Determines appropriate outcomes for patient population and guides interventions to accomplish them
• Conducts clinical consultation, including coaching with bedside nurses, regarding performance of complex patient care interventions
• Identify workflow barriers and recommend efficient improvements
• Promote nursing involvement in shared governance, professional growth and development, and pursuit of clinical inquiry
• Collects and analyzes patient data to document the impact of nursing practice on outcomes, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
• Provides leadership for interprofessional and nursing teams in identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices and research opportunities
• Evaluate system strategies and outcomes, identifying gaps in practice
• Participates in, supports, and leads quality/performance improvement initiatives to advance patient care delivery and improve outcomes through best practice implementation
• Evaluates the implications of access, quality, safety, and cost on the delivery of healthcare
• Actively pursues professional growth and development within local, regional, or national levels

Education Requirements

• Completion of an accredited graduate-level Master of Science in Nursing program

Licensure/Certification Requirements

• Licensed as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the state of North Carolina
• Current certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from a national credentialing body approved by the NC Board of Nursing

Professional Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years as a Registered Nurse required