Program Coordinator (RN License Required), Pulmonary ICU - VUH

About the Role

Join Vanderbilt University Hospital's Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit in a unique Program Coordinator opportunity designed as a pathway toward a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role. The Program Coordinator will partner closely with nursing leadership, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams to support clinical initiatives, staff development, quality outcomes, and practice improvement within the Pulmonary ICU. The role provides an opportunity to build experience and competencies aligned with Clinical Nurse Specialist practice while contributing meaningfully to the unit's clinical and professional goals.

Why This Opportunity?

• Develop Toward CNS Practice: Gain experience in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, nursing education, professional development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Lead Clinical Improvement: Support initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes, clinical practice, and care delivery within the Pulmonary ICU.
• Mentor & Educate: Partner with nursing staff to support professional growth, clinical competency, and ongoing education.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work closely with nursing leadership, physicians, and interdisciplinary partners on unit and organizational priorities.
• Build a Career Path: Progress toward a future Clinical Nurse Specialist role while completing the required CNS educational preparation and certification.

Schedule

Monday - Friday business hours with flexibility to support clinical operations across night shifts, as needed.

Requirements

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Master's or doctoral degree in Nursing with Clinical Nurse Specialist preparation, or willingness to complete the graduate education required for CNS preparation within the established program timeframe.
• If not currently CNS-certified or enrolled in a CNS program, must enroll in and successfully complete an approved Clinical Nurse Specialist program within the timeframe established by the department.
• Adult critical care nursing experience.
• Demonstrated interest in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, nursing education, and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current CNS certification or current enrollment in a Clinical Nurse Specialist program.
• Experience in Pulmonary ICU, Medical ICU, or another adult critical care setting.
• Experience leading evidence-based practice or quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience mentoring or educating nursing staff.
• Experience in an academic medical center or teaching hospital.

Key Responsibilities

• Acts as an internal and external consultant and liaison to promote agreed upon clinical enterprise or Patient Care Center goals.
• Reviews nursing care plans for selected patients and serves as a resource to the nursing staff.
• Teaches and models new skills/care modalities for the health care team.
• Serves as a mentor to nursing staff on clinical, professional and research practices that support high quality, satisfying and cost beneficial care across the continuum.
• Fosters individual and corporate staff development in the area of specialty.
• Directs and/or conducts needs assessments for individuals or groups.
• Develops, coordinates, implements and evaluates orientation and continuing education systems.
• Participates in scholarly and/or research activities in area of expertise.
• Maintains current knowledge of professional literature.
• Conducts, coordinates or participates in research studies.
• Writes for publication.
• Teaches, precepts or mentors nursing students.
• Participates in community projects.
• Assists in designing tools and systems to facilitate and optimize nursing care.
• Uses continuous improvement techniques (Plan, Do, Study, Act) to select or target areas/processes for improvement.
• Mentors others in the continuous improvement cycle.
• Shares results of process improvement with others on a timely basis either through verbal or written presentations.
• Provides expert nursing care to selected patients in area of specialty.
• Plans and manages patient care.
• Provides patient and family education.
• Prepares patient for the next level of care.
• Addresses problems.
• Communicates/collaborates effectively to meet patient and team goals.
• Under the direction of the PCC Administrative Director, participates in program development.
• Coordinates or directs program development.
• Implements program(s).
• Evaluates program results and processes.

Benefits

• Affordable High Quality Health Plan Options
• Dental and/or vision plan
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid Time off (flex PTO)
• Tuition Reimbursement and adoption assistance (maximums applied)
• Short-Long term disability
• Subsidized backup childcare
• Inpatient nursing supplemental Pay Program (ask about current offerings)