Nurse Education Safety Specialist [Acute Care Clinical Decision Unit], 24 Hours Days, University Campus

Exempt position. Hiring range: $101,025.60 – $181,854.40 annually (based on 40 hours/week; part‑time prorated). Schedule: Monday–Friday, Saturday; day shift, 8‑hour shifts; hours vary. Cost center: 10020 – 6225 Patient Flow Coordination. A signing bonus may be available; eligibility confirmed during interview.

About the role

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver. The Nursing Education Safety Specialist is responsible for assessing, planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating staff development and educational activities to address identified or anticipated learning needs. The role assures quality of patient care and clinical practice progression through assessment, coaching, and development of nursing staff, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team. This includes all aspects of clinical practice, patient care, workplace safety, and patient outcomes. The specialist also participates in developing and implementing educational programs for the Nursing Department.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Practice & Patient Experience
  • Participates in developing goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for efficient departmental operations.
  • Coordinates team huddles (day and evening) with unit‑based leadership to review admissions, patient progression, and discharge plans to improve access and facilitate transitions.
  • Communicates, educates, and monitors changes to clinical practice; reviews documentation, provides staff support, and reports non‑compliance to management.
  • Collaborates with leadership on strategic planning, implementation, evaluation, and revision of systems that support nursing staff competence, autonomy, and accountability, including defining nursing standards and educational needs.
  • Creates a learning atmosphere aligned with Standards of Nursing Practice.
  • Conducts regular educational needs assessments for assigned areas.
  • Designs, organizes, implements, and evaluates orientation, in‑service, and continuing education programs.
  • Demonstrates nursing expertise to provide clinical support in coverage areas.
  • Promotes evidence‑based educational methods and technologies that develop nursing expertise.
  • Assists staff nurses in applying educational principles to patient education.
  • Identifies non‑compliant policies, standards, or practices and communicates needed revisions through leadership channels.
• Leadership/Management, Human Resources
  • Acts as a member of the nursing leadership team: participates in interview panels, orientation, annual regulatory and clinical competency requirements.
  • Reports unprofessional or unsafe practice to the Nurse Manager.
  • Assists the Manager in ensuring departmental compliance with hospital policies, regulatory requirements, quality assurance, safety, and infection control.
  • Serves as a role model, coach, and facilitator.
  • Fosters collaborative professional relationships with other departments, physicians, and managers to ensure best‑practice, patient‑centered care.
  • Participates in staff meetings, linking front‑line work to organizational mission, vision, and strategic goals.
  • Ensures staff meet required annual and unit‑based competencies.
  • Develops precepting skills of staff nurses and oversees charge nurse orientation.
  • Serves as consultant/facilitator for nursing and medical center committees on formal and informal learning activities.
  • Serves as faculty for Department of Nursing programs.
  • Participates in educational strategic planning for the Department of Nursing.
  • Establishes and maintains effective communication within coverage areas and with other departments.
  • Maintains required data, records, and statistics for educational programs for administrative, regulatory, and evaluation purposes.
• Quality, Safety, and Experience Improvements
  • Promotes a culture of safety.
  • Reviews all Safety Intelligence Reports; conducts initial investigation and escalates serious reportable events immediately to the Nurse Manager.
  • Carries out a zero‑harm approach through high‑reliability principles.
  • Accountable for patient safety and patient experience outcomes within span of control.
  • Optimizes communication tools to enhance patient experience.
  • Rounds on existing and new patients, focusing on patient experience and risk assessment aligned with nursing safety and quality goals.
  • Identifies and resolves problems using analytical and critical thinking aligned with organizational objectives.
• Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities
  • Coordinates task assignments and resolves technical/operational problems.
  • Evaluates solution impact to ensure goals are achieved.
  • Provides direction, guidance, and leadership for effective teamwork and motivation; fosters integration with system‑wide initiatives.
  • Complies with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
  • Attends required meetings, conferences, and seminars.
  • Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
  • Ensures departmental compliance with hospital policies, quality assurance, safety, and infection control.
  • Respects diverse views; demonstrates Standards of Respect; contributes to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment.
  • Maintains regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
  • Performs other related duties as required.