Nursing Professional Development Specialist - Operating Room

About The Job

General Summary of Position

Responsible for the assessment planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning and development programs that enhance associates' performance, promote professional development, or otherwise support the mission, vision, and SPIRIT Values of MedStar Health and the Department of Nursing and perioperative services.

• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives for the clinical staff.
• Collaborates with leaders to implement change that enhances patient care.
• Tracks nursing staff participation in staff development/educational programs.
• Serves as a role model and house wide consultant on care delivery for patients.
• Utilizes resources to stay within departmental budget.
• Participates in offerings of MNA-approved nursing continuing education provider units fulfilling ANCC accreditation criteria as per provider unit policies.
• Collaborates with directors and staff to re-assess and enhance knowledge base and clinical practice of nursing staff.
• Plans annual competency validation for nursing/ancillary staff using model consistent with nursing areas.
• Plays a constructive role in addressing AOP goals in educational activity planning.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

Assessment Planning and Implementation

• Plans, develops, and coordinates orientation programs for all new nursing personnel assigned to clinical areas.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements or assists with continuing staff development programs for nursing and nursing support staff.
• Identifies learning needs of new nursing/support staff in collaboration with team members based on area of expertise and in accordance with hospital policy and regulatory standards.
• Evaluates response to teaching and follows up with employees in their transition to their positions.
• Implements educational programs in a knowledgeable, clear, understandable, positive fashion utilizing adult teaching strategies and age, culture, and generation-specific principles and incorporating evidence-based practices.
• Provides continuing education activities.
• Promotes a climate for employees that encourages lifelong learning and self-motivation through the application of adult learning principles.
• Assists the adult learner in applying theoretical knowledge in the clinical setting.
• Creates an atmosphere conducive to learning new skills and exploring options for acquiring new skills that encourage professional growth.
• Conducts educational activities that inform, teach, and facilitate adoption of new procedures, technologies, equipment, and patient care trends with continuing education credits where appropriate.
• Collaborates with leaders to implement change that enhances patient care.
• Tracks nursing staff participation in staff development/educational programs consistent with established procedures.
• Maintains library and instructional reference materials.
• Serves as a role model and house wide consultant on care delivery for patients.
• Utilizes resources to stay within departmental budget.
• Participates in offerings of MNA-approved nursing continuing education provider units fulfilling ANCC accreditation criteria as per provider unit policies.
• Collaborates with directors and staff to re-assess and enhance knowledge base and clinical practice of nursing staff.
• Plans annual competency validation for nursing/ancillary staff using model consistent with nursing areas.
• Plans educational activities to meet specialized learning needs.
• Implements educational activities to meet identified learning needs/remediation utilizing adult learning principles.
• Develops and utilizes appropriate evaluation systems to determine effectiveness of educational activities and/or programs.
• Documents employee performance and communicates status to directors for follow up and/or intervention.
• Provides documentation of participation and level of success during competency / educational programs using standardized processes.
• Affirms learning needs and knowledge or skill gaps requiring remediation.

Professional Support for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement

• Meets regularly with DON Nursing Education Specialist and Nurse Directors for proactive collaborative and performance improvement initiatives and educational needs.
• Participates in departmental meetings, programs, and projects.
• Participates in corporate community and hospital councils and committees (Consortiums BLS).
• Utilizes effective communication skills to establish working relationships with all levels of care providers across disciplines and focuses time on areas of improvement to positively impact outcomes.

Department/Unit Specific Functions and Duties

• Participates in interview and orientation of department personnel.
• Plans and provides education for information system upgrades and/or implementations.