Mediabistro logo
job logo

Registered Nurse- Clinical Nurse Educator

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Smyrna, GA, United States


Summary

The Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) serves as a vital member of the nursing leadership and education team within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The CNE is responsible for developing - implementing - and evaluating evidence-based educational programs that enhance clinical competence - professional development - and quality care delivery for nursing staff and interprofessional healthcare teams.
Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
English Language Proficiency
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
(Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12929771
Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: You must be able to perform work that requires regular and recurrent bending - lifting 30 pounds or more - stooping - climbing - twisting and/or bending - standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day - reaching above the shoulder - stretching - and similar activities supporting various weights
walking and standing for 8 hours
frequent pushing medication carts - wheelchairs - litters - beds
use of fingers - both hands and both legs
emotional stability (you must be able to care for Veterans with various medical and psychiatric illnesses who at times may exhibit unpredictable behavior and may have the potential to be physically or verbally assaultive)
near vision correctable at 13" to 16" / far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other / both eyes required with ability to distinguish basic colors
hearing aid permitted in order to sufficiently hear various alarms and respond immediately
Duties

The Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) functions as a resource - mentor - and role model - promoting best practices in nursing care - clinical skill development - and regulatory compliance
The CNE collaborates with nursing leadership - frontline staff - academic affiliates - and other stakeholders to assess learning needs - design competency-based educational programs - and support orientation - training - and professional growth initiatives
The CNE plays an integral role in advancing nursing practice - enhancing staff engagement - and ensuring high-quality - safe - and compassionate care for Veterans
The Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) duties include - but are not limited to: Assesses the educational needs of nursing and clinical staff through collaboration with leadership - frontline staff - and performance data
Designs - develops - and implements evidence-based educational programs - in-services - and competency assessments to support clinical excellence and regulatory compliance
Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising staff education
Delivers a fundamental understanding of adult learning principles and a lifelong learner that can practice with flexibility to adapt or change learning strategies based on the assessment of learning needs within the healthcare organization
Coordinates - facilitates - and evaluates orientation and onboarding programs for new nursing and clinical staff - ensuring successful transition to practice
Develops - implements - and maintains competency validation processes - ensuring staff meet required clinical standards
Serves as a resource and subject matter expert on clinical skills - best practices - and practice standards for nursing staff
Utilizes adult learning principles and a variety of teaching strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of staff
Collaborates with interprofessional teams to promote clinical education - quality improvement initiatives - and performance improvement activities
Participates in policy and procedure development and provides education to support successful implementation
Supports professional development by providing guidance - mentorship - and resources for staff pursuing certification - continuing education - and career advancement
Coordinates educational activities related to regulatory readiness - accreditation standards - and VA policies
Collaborates with academic affiliates to support clinical placements and experiential learning for nursing students
Supports nurse residency and training programs including the development of curriculum utilizing strategic learning methodologies such as simulation - lecture case studies and virtual reality
Guides new employee orientation including evaluation of progress - development and implementation of a learning plan for improving identified deficiencies
Integrates principles of evidence-based practice - patient safety - cultural humility - and Veteran-centered care into all educational programs
Maintains accurate records of educational activities - competency assessments - and staff participation in compliance with VA standards
Participates in the development and evaluation of clinical education strategic plans and quality improvement projects to enhance nursing practice and patient outcomes
Remains current in clinical practice - education methodologies - and regulatory requirements through ongoing professional development

#J-18808-Ljbffr