Nurse Education Safety Specialist [Acute Care Clinical Decision Unit], 24 Hours Days, University Campus

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

3d•$101,026 - $181,854•Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse Education Safety Specialist is responsible for assessing, planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating staff development and educational activities to address the identified or anticipated needs of learners in assigned areas. The role supports the quality of patient care and the progression of clinical practice through assessment, coaching, and development of nursing staff, in collaboration with interdisciplinary care teams. It encompasses clinical practice, patient care, workplace safety, and patient outcomes, and contributes to educational programs for the Nursing Department. The specialist promotes safe, evidence-based practice and a supportive learning environment. The role works with unit leadership to coordinate huddles, monitor changes in clinical practice, assess educational needs, develop staff competencies, and improve patient experience and safety outcomes. It also participates in leadership activities, staff development, regulatory and quality programs, and educational planning. This position is scheduled for 24 hours per week on a day shift, with a schedule that includes Monday through Friday and Saturday. Work takes place on a nursing unit and in typical office and classroom environments; work may be required off shift or on weekends. The position may involve lifting, bending, standing, sitting, and exposure to infectious diseases.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Education, or a related healthcare field.
Active RN license in the State of Massachusetts.
Current BLS certification.
At least 3 years of clinical nursing experience, including at least 1 year in a clinical preceptor and/or charge nurse role.
Demonstrated leadership experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, printer, educational equipment, and printed materials is required.
For the Care Coordination role: 3 years of direct hospital care management experience within the past 8 years.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Nursing, Education, or a related healthcare field.
At least 3 years of teaching experience.
Process improvement experience.
For the Care Coordination role: current Case Manager Certification.
For the Employee Health Services role: certification in Occupational Health.

Responsibilities

Participate in developing departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Coordinate team huddles with unit-based leadership to review admissions, patient progress, and discharge plans.
Communicate, educate staff about, and monitor changes to clinical practice and expectations; review documentation and report ongoing non-compliance to management.
Collaborate with leadership on systems that support nursing staff competence, autonomy, and accountability, including nursing standards, practices, and educational needs.
Create a learning environment that supports practice in accordance with Standards of Nursing Practice.
Regularly assess educational needs in areas of responsibility.
Design, organize, implement, and evaluate staff orientation, in-service, and continuing education programs.
Provide clinical support in coverage areas using nursing expertise and knowledge of patient populations.
Promote evidence-based educational methods and technologies that develop nursing expertise.
Help staff nurses apply educational principles in patient education sessions.
Identify policies, standards, and practices that do not meet current standards and communicate needed revisions through leadership structures.
Participate in nursing leadership activities, including interview panels, orientation, and annual regulatory and clinical competency requirements; report unprofessional or unsafe practice to the Nurse Manager.
Assist the Manager or designee in ensuring compliance with hospital policies and regulatory, quality assurance, safety, and infection control requirements.
Serve as a role model, coach, and facilitator and foster collaborative relationships across departments and with physicians and managers.
Participate in staff meetings and connect staff work with organizational mission, vision, and strategic goals.
Ensure staff meet annual and unit-based competencies; develop precepting skills and oversee charge nurse orientation for nurses new to that role.
Consult with and facilitate nursing and medical center committees on formal and informal learning activities as requested; serve as faculty for Department of Nursing programs and participate in educational strategic planning.
Maintain effective communication within coverage areas and with other departments, and maintain educational program data, records, and statistics for administrative, regulatory, and evaluation purposes.
Promote a culture of safety, report on Safety Intelligence Reports, conduct initial review and investigation, and immediately escalate serious reportable events to the Nurse Manager.
Apply high-reliability principles and support patient safety and patient experience outcomes within the role's span of control.
Use communication tools to enhance patient experience and round on existing and new patients, focusing on experience and risk assessment in line with nursing safety and quality goals.
Identify issues and resolve problems using analytical and critical thinking aligned with organizational objectives.
Coordinate task assignments, help resolve technical and operational problems, and evaluate whether solutions achieve goals.
Provide direction, guidance, and leadership to support teamwork, motivation, and integration with system-wide initiatives.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, quality improvement practices, and hospital safety and infection control requirements.
Attend meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed; maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance; perform other similar duties as required.
For the Care Coordination role, contribute to performance evaluations and staff scheduling in collaboration with the Director.
For the Employee Health Services role, work off-site when needed, such as at the Medical School.