Nurse Professional Development Specialist Operating Room - F/T Days

Hackensack Meridian Health•Edison, NJ

About The Position

The Nurse Professional Development Specialist (NPD) is a Registered Nurse and educator with an advanced nursing degree. The role applies nursing science, technology, research and evidence-based practice, change management, communication, leadership, and education to professional development. The specialist uses adult learning principles, nursing career development, program development and management, continuing education, and leadership to create relevant and effective teaching strategies. The specialist facilitates learning and practice transitions, supports organizational change, mentors staff, and aligns professional development activities with organizational goals. The role uses research and evidence-based practice, evaluates educational programs and outcomes, supports patient safety and quality initiatives, and participates in committees and Magnet-related work. Additional duties and projects may be assigned.

Requirements

Master's degree or greater in Nursing or a related field; if the graduate degree is in a related field, a baccalaureate degree in Nursing is required.
Graduate of an NLN- or AACN-accredited nursing program.
At least 3 years of current nursing experience in an acute care hospital.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient computer skills, which may include Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.
Knowledge of the Magnet Recognition Program.
Acquire and maintain competencies, certifications, and continuing education needed to meet facility accreditation or individual licensing requirements for assigned areas; this may include ACLS, NRP, and PALS.
New Jersey State Professional Registered Nurse License.
AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.

Nice To Haves

Previous professional development experience or a teaching or education background.
Experience with curriculum development, evaluative methods, and professional development contact-hour applications.
Nursing Professional Development Advanced Board Certification.
Professional certification in a practice-related specialty area, such as staff development.

Responsibilities

Create teaching and learning strategies that help staff apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes in practice, and build infrastructure for lifelong learning.
Analyze competency assessment data to identify practice gaps and develop educational programs aimed at patient-oriented outcomes.
Develop, review, and revise nursing procedures, competency performance checklists, and educational materials, directly or in a consultative capacity.
Plan orientation and competency requirements based on future staff needs, account for diverse nurses' abilities in workforce planning, prepare staff to transition between clinical settings, address gaps between academia and service, and create seamless transitions in practice.
Apply change theory to support organizational innovation and change management; facilitate or lead staff through change and sustainability.
Manage projects involving needs assessment, gap analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of program outcomes; champion innovation.
Encourage lifelong learning, partner with staff on personal and professional goals, help nurses identify learning needs, and coach staff through professional growth and role transitions.
Align activities with organizational goals; provide a voice in legislative, regulatory, and accrediting bodies; calculate return on investment for educational programming and project management; and measure contributions to safety, satisfaction, and quality outcomes.
Participate in decision-making councils and Magnet work.
Use research and evidence-based practice to support clinical and nursing professional development practice changes; facilitate, participate in, conduct, or evaluate research.
Implement performance improvement activities related to assigned focus teams, disseminate findings, analyze and display quantitative and qualitative data, and create interventions to address gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practice.
Disseminate new knowledge to the global nursing community.
Participate in unit-specific initiatives to improve patient care and nursing outcomes, and chair or participate in hospital-wide committees as assigned.
Adhere to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.
Perform other duties and/or projects as assigned.