Unit Educator / Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery / Step-Down Unit / /RN

At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits that start day 1
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs
• Family-focused benefits
• Wellness incentives
• Ongoing mentorship, development, and leadership programs

About the Role

Help care for our patients in a unique role as a cross-trained nurse in two distinct units: complex surgery (8E) and concierge medicine (6B Rollins).

• 8E (Complex Surgery): Work with chest tubes, epidurals, PCAs, tracheotomies, telemetry, various cardiac drips, and mixing and administering pulmonary hypertension medications. This 24-bed unit serves patients with lung transplants, lung abnormalities and malignancy, esophageal and gastric obstructions and perforations, AAA or thoracic aneurysms, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac valve repairs, and peripheral arterial disease. Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3-4.
• 6B Rollins (Concierge Medicine): Care for a variety of medical/surgical and telemetry patients in a 6-bed unit with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2. This concierge unit offers additional amenities, including a personal chef and larger upgraded rooms.

8E is the only acute care unit in the Emory Healthcare system with "Patient Excellence" scores above the 90th percentile for the past four consecutive years and is a winner of the Beacon award.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a clinical expert and role model in applying the nursing process and evidence-based practice to manage complex care needs for specific patient populations.
• Act as a resource for physicians, nurses, patients, and family members.
• Plan and conduct educational sessions to promote staff development, student competence, and positive patient/family outcomes using adult learning principles.
• Demonstrate expert communication skills and model effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Complete employee conference, risk management, and unit management reports within specified time frames.
• Staff and Preceptor Education/Development:
  • Demonstrate proficiency in teaching and precepting skills.
  • Facilitate development of unit preceptors, including effective delegation and interpersonal skills.
  • Assist with the development of staff portfolios and conduct annual educational needs assessments.
  • Coordinate unit-based clinical orientation programs for new staff, students, and preceptors.
  • Individualize unit orientation for new staff and preceptors.
  • Assist in developing annual competency checklists and meeting education/training needs of staff.
  • Mentor new and existing staff by sharing knowledge, skills, and departmental processes.
• Operational, Quality, and Compliance:
  • Identify the need for revision and evaluate the effectiveness of operational forms.
  • Provide and coordinate resources needed within the unit to optimize patient outcomes.
  • Role model time management skills and ensure compliance with unit policies and procedures.
  • Remain informed of innovative clinical trends through benchmarking and evidence-based practice.
  • Assume a leadership and resource role within the interdisciplinary team.
  • Contribute to evaluating resource use and cost containment activities.
  • Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Patient/Family Education and Communication:
  • Integrate patient/family education activities into unit-based staff development and continuing education programs.
  • Collaborate with management and patient/family advisory councils to develop standardized teaching materials.
  • Model effective therapeutic relationships and elicit/integrate cultural beliefs and values into patient management and education.
  • Utilize patient and staff satisfaction feedback to design, refine, and revise education programs.
  • Demonstrate and role model effective communication skills.
• Commitments:
  • Meet all Clinical Nurse I Employee Commitments.
  • Achieve points and contact hours as defined in the PLAN (clinical lattice) point system to maintain position.
  • Complete VIP or EBP Project.
  • Complete formal preceptor training workshop.

Requirements

• Minimum Required:
  • Education: Graduate of an accredited prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
  • Experience: 2 years of recent nursing experience AND a minimum of 2 years of experience in the area of concentration.
  • Licensure: A valid, unencumbered Registered Nursing License approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
  • Certifications:
    • BLS certification.
    • ACLS may be required for certain departments, post hire.
    • Additional certifications may be required based on department and specialty.
    • Must complete UNE criteria requirements within nine (9) months of promotion or hire, including completion of Enhancing your Communication HLC#6488.
    • If completing virtual care activities that may include multi-state practice, an active compact/multistate license (eNLC) is required within 60 days of hire. Employees in role prior to 11/09/2025 will have until their next renewal date to achieve compact status.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Education: MSN or DNP.
  • Certification: Nursing certification.

Physical Requirements

• (Medium-Heavy) 36-75 lbs, 0-33% of the work day (occasionally); 20-35 lbs, 34-66% of the workday (frequently); 10-20 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly).
• Lifting 75 lbs max.
• Carrying of objects up to 35 lbs.
• Occasional to frequent standing and walking; occasional sitting.
• Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing).
• Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Environmental Factors

• Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Exposures include, but are not limited to:
  • Blood-borne pathogen exposure.
  • Bio-hazardous waste.
  • Chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors.
  • Communicable diseases.
  • Electrical shock.
  • Floor Surfaces.
  • Hot/Cold Temperatures.
  • Indoor/Outdoor conditions.
  • Latex.
  • Lighting.
  • Patient care/handling injuries.
  • Radiation.
  • Shift work.
  • Travel may be required.
  • Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators.