Director of Education

Sun Valley•Sun Valley, CA

22h

About The Position

The Director of Education manages and coordinates all educational programs and training activities, helping facility employees define, meet, and evaluate their educational goals and objectives. The role reports to the Director of Nursing and is responsible for the Education Department’s policies, planning, budget, staffing coordination, recordkeeping, and program evaluation. The Director develops and oversees education and training programs based on assessed needs, including continuing education and state certification programs for nursing personnel. The role coordinates instruction across shifts and departments, supports staff development, maintains required certifications and training records, and ensures educational activities are documented and evaluated. The Director also participates in personnel processes, serves on assigned committees, and promotes collaboration across the facility. This position is at Totally Kids Specialty Healthcare, a 45-patient pediatric sub-acute hospital serving residents from newborn through age 21. The role supports education and clinical practice related to pediatric and adolescent patients with chronic illnesses. It also includes maintaining current Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications and meeting the facility’s clinical, safety, and physical requirements.

Requirements

Current LVN license in the State of California.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
At least 2 years of prior experience as an educator in a pediatric setting, either acute care or long-term care.
Current CPR and PALS certifications.
Demonstrated verbal and written English communication skills.
Ability to relate and work effectively with others, including residents, staff, and interdepartmental personnel.
Self-directed approach, initiative, commitment to institutional standards and policies, and willingness to participate in professional goal setting and development.
Ability to work with residents and staff one-to-one or in small groups and to encourage team cohesiveness.
Knowledge of adult education principles, clinical education, and education and management practices.
Ability to lead, delegate, collaborate, communicate priorities, and follow through on projects and deadlines.
Ability to oversee appropriate services for pediatric and adolescent patients with chronic illnesses, including age-specific clinical modalities, disease processes, and growth and development related to life stage, diagnosis, and condition.
Ability to use appropriate facility equipment and document work, including use of fax machines, phones, and copiers.
Ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English at a level necessary for communication in a sub-acute facility.
Physical ability to stand, reach, lift and carry objects, use fine motor skills, bend and twist, walk intermittently for six to ten hours per shift, and perform chest compressions and hand-resuscitator ventilations during CPR.
Ability to push or pull equipment weighing up to 100 pounds; lifting or carrying objects greater than 30 pounds is generally not required.
Ability to discern colors and to see and read patient information and other written materials with 20/20 vision, with corrective devices allowed.
Ability to hear and comprehend information with corrective devices allowed.
Normal physical stamina and full use of both hands.
Ability to concentrate, exercise good judgment, and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions and a heavy workload.
Ability to maintain emotional control and make safe decisions in critical situations, separate personal life from work, and maintain appropriate, trustworthy, cooperative conduct.
Ability to understand personal knowledge, skills, and limitations and willingness to continue improving one’s own skills and those of others.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Formulate Education Department policies and philosophy consistent with facility goals.
Assess educational needs and develop, plan, coordinate, and direct education and training programs.
Develop annual objectives and prepare and manage the Education Department budget.
Plan educational programs and schedules, including programs that meet continuing education and state certification requirements.
Set objectives for educational activities and establish ongoing and outcome-based program evaluation.
Develop systems to ensure nursing service personnel maintain current certifications for assigned procedures.
Coordinate instruction across shifts and assign instructors to make effective use of their competencies.
Recruit and select instructional and clinical personnel, and collaborate with them on performance standards.
Delegate departmental responsibilities and maintain an administrative manual describing the department’s organization, philosophy, and programs.
Coordinate facility education activities with Administration, Nursing Administration, department heads, and instructors.
Incorporate fire, disaster, body mechanics, and CPR plans into facility-wide educational programs.
Review position descriptions and performance standards annually, address deviations, and maintain the departmental budget within acceptable limits.
Maintain records and reports on education attendance, required certifications, and statistical data.
Identify current educational needs through consultation with department leaders and staff, committees, community education systems, resident and family communications, and relevant literature.
Procure and maintain educational materials and equipment.
Maintain knowledge of state registration requirements and prepare RN and LVN Board forms and reports for continuing education and state certification courses.
Ensure accurate documentation of in-house and external classes and education activities.
Participate in interviewing, hiring, promotion, and disciplinary processes for Education Department employees and complete performance evaluations.
Coordinate instructional activities and serve on assigned committees.
Maintain current Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications, attend required safety programs, and meet facility venipuncture requirements.
Manage prescribed medications and IVs when needed and perform procedures according to facility policies and guidelines.
Promote safe care, infection prevention, proper equipment use, and reporting of defective or malfunctioning equipment.
Maintain and expand professional, clinical, education, and management knowledge and skills.
Use sound management principles, delegate effectively, communicate clearly, and model professional and clinical practice.
Assess learning needs and educational resources, plan learning sequences and teaching methods, and arrange fire, safety, and disaster program reviews.
Initiate continuing education curricula, publish a monthly calendar of educational programs, and counsel staff about relevant courses and continuing education.
Evaluate educational programs, teaching and learning activities, resources, and instructor and clinician performance.
Lead, collaborate, follow through on projects and deadlines, communicate operational priorities, mentor staff, and promote a cooperative work environment.
Perform other duties as assigned.