Clinical Nurse Specialist - Critical Care

About the role

This position is eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Chief Nurse Nursing Education & Research (NEaR), Nurse Manager NEaR, Chief Nurse Inpatient Units, Nurse Manager (NM) and Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) of Critical Care Units (ICU & PCU) to provide: a. clinical leadership for Critical Care nursing staff b. development of a strategic educational plan c. develop, coordinate, facilitate and evaluate unit-based nursing service orientation, clinical competencies and required educational directives for the Critical Care units d. maintains competency folders with quarterly reviews
• Facilitates, coordinates, and leads development and completion of initial competencies for Critical Care Unit nursing service staff.
• Facilitates, coordinates, and leads development and completion of ongoing competencies for the Critical Care Unit nursing staff and nursing service as needed.
• Develops, coordinates, and provides Critical Care Unit education programs and activities and hospital wide critical care educational programs and activities as appropriate.
• Serves as the nursing consultant regarding critical care nursing policy and procedure development.
• Serves as the facility coordinator for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) critical care online courses/education program Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO).
• Serves as the coordinator for all research in the Critical Care units; mentors Critical Care staff in evidence-based practice projects.
• Provide leadership and facilitate evidence-based practice to VASDHS employees.
• Mentors Critical Care Unit nursing staff and VASDHS staff to develop leadership and preceptor skills.
• Disseminates accreditation standards and ensures staff compliance with The Joint Commission and other regulatory agency requirements.
• Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities.
• Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational process within area of expertise.
• Collaborates and participates with Critical Care nursing staff and VASDHS staff in the selection and process of performance measure improvement.
• Provides direct and indirect care for patients in the Critical Care Units.
• Documents all direct patient care provided using the electronic health record (EHR), according to unit and facility policies and procedures.
• Serves as a member of the VASDHS Critical Care Multidisciplinary Committee, Code Blue Committee, Rapid Response Committee, Clinical Nurse Specialist group, and Nursing Clinical Practice Committee. May serve as chair or co-chair as appropriate.
• Serves on Nursing Service and organization-wide committees as appropriate to facilitate continuity of care. May serve as chair or co-chair as appropriate.
• Responsible for the oversight and management of all emergency equipment, including defibrillators, automated external defibrillators, code carts and contents for the Critical Care units and training of the Code Blue response teams and Critical Care unit nursing staff.
• Collaborates with the other CNS's and Code Blue Committee for oversight and management of facility wide code blue equipment and supplies.
• Maintains mandatory and clinical competencies for the position including certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CCNS) from American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or from a VA-approved certifying body.
• Coordinates with CNS group to provide orientation and cross-coverage for all inpatient and outpatient care units.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Advanced Practice Nurse (Clinical Nurse Specialist)