Clinical Practice Specialist Registered Nurse Full-time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Winfield, IL

10d • $41 - $65

About The Position

The Clinical Practice Specialist Registered Nurse leads efforts to ensure high-quality clinical practice and frontline professional development for the Peds/PICU/Peds OP departments at CDH. The role supports Northwestern Medicine’s patient-first mission and complies with organizational ethics, compliance, policy, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.

The specialist develops staff education based on assessed learning needs and clinical priorities; supports specialty certification; monitors quality and safety data; and leads improvement work, evidence-based practice, and research initiatives. The role contributes to unit policy and procedure review, staff competency evaluation, peer review, coaching, and mentoring.

The position participates in shared leadership and committee activities, supports fiscal stewardship and clinical efficiency, and leads orientation, competency, retention, and annual education planning. It provides both formal and informal instruction, skills and competency assessments, bedside teaching, and education for staff across shifts. The specialist also advocates for patients and families, collaborates with nursing and hospital leadership and physicians, and helps develop and implement clinical practice standards and quality improvement plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Master's in Science in Nursing, or obtain it within four years of assuming the role.
• Registered Nursing license issued by the State of Illinois.
• Certification in a related clinical area, or obtain it when eligible.
• 3–5 years of experience in the specific clinical area.
• BLS through the American Heart Association.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement staff education opportunities based on needs assessments, departmental and system goals, and new or expanded clinical programs.
• Support staff in obtaining and maintaining specialty certification, including monitoring progress and completion.
• Review unit and division dashboards through LDOC, identify quality and practice improvement opportunities, and develop actions with stakeholders.
• Monitor and trend clinical quality and safety data with the operational manager and develop action plans as needed.
• Lead or facilitate interprofessional teams working on unit, division, and hospital-wide clinical process improvement.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate division-specific safety learning activities, including simulations.
• Review and update unit-based clinical policies and procedures.
• Provide input into staff evaluations regarding clinical competence, quality, and practice.
• Coach and mentor staff through unit rounds; identify and remediate knowledge and skill gaps.
• Participate in the Staff RN Peer Review process.
• Identify, mentor, and implement evidence-based practice projects, including order sets and practice guidelines.
• Identify, mentor, or participate in nursing and interprofessional clinical research projects; interpret findings and help implement them in evidence-based practice guidelines.
• Attend unit-based staff meetings, shared leadership meetings, Clinical Nurse Leadership Council meetings, and Unit Leadership (LDOC) meetings; participate in other committees and project teams as appropriate.
• Evaluate new products and make recommendations to the value-based purchasing committee.
• Recommend clinical efficiency improvements in partnership with the operational manager and use organizational and departmental resources efficiently.
• Manage work schedules and complete tasks and assignments on time.
• Lead the annual review and revision of unit-based orientation content; participate in new employee orientation and monitor new-hire progress and check-ins.
• Use internal and external resources to develop and implement the unit’s annual competency and education plan, maintain completion records, and collaborate with the unit manager to monitor progress.
• Provide informal unit-based education and formal classroom instruction, skills assessments, and competency assessments.
• Incorporate NM Toolkit, NMI Diversity and Inclusion Resources, and NM Values in Action into educational offerings as appropriate.
• Maintain visibility across shifts and serve as a resource to off-shift staff; communicate effectively and model critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Provide just-in-time bedside teaching.
• Advocate for patients, families, nursing staff, and other healthcare community members; model the Patients First philosophy.
• Assume leadership roles in professional activities and organizations and assist in developing clinical policies and procedures that establish nursing practice standards.
• Participate in department and hospital committees and task forces to improve patient care using evidence-based guidelines.
• Consult with nursing and hospital leadership on clinical system and process issues.
• Collaborate with NM leadership teams on strategic plans and quality improvement initiatives, and with physicians to lead clinical practice changes.
• Collaborate with academic, political, and financial institution leaders to promote healthcare reform.
• Consult with the nursing department on strategies to advance nursing practice and leadership opportunities.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• A wide range of benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection against unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level