Nurse Scientist
About The Position
La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay. Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions. The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease. Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for youth in care, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County SUMMARY: The Nurse Scientist serves as a clinical and scholarly leader responsible for advancing evidence-based nursing practice, research translation, and professional development. This role leads initiatives that improve patient outcomes, strengthen nursing practice, and promote a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement. In partnership with nursing and organizational leadership, the Nurse Scientist functions as a strategic consultant, participating in organizational planning to align evidence-based initiatives with system priorities. The role provides expert guidance in the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic goals related to quality, safety, professional practice, and research integration. The Nurse Scientist collaborates with frontline clinicians and interprofessional partners to design, implement, evaluate, and disseminate evidence-based practice and research initiatives while mentoring staff and advancing nursing scholarship across the organization.
Requirements
- A graduate of an approved school of professional nursing required.
- Masters prepared required.
- PALS and PICU experience required.
- Demonstrated expertise in evidence-based practice.
- Proven ability to lead change and manage complex projects.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience mentoring clinicians and interdisciplinary teams.
- Track record of scholarly dissemination (abstracts, manuscripts, presentations).
- Strong critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and
- Currently licensed as a professional nurse in the State of Illinois required.
- Master’s degree in Nursing, Active Advanced Practice Registered Nurse License (Clinical Nurse Specialist strongly preferred)
- Can function as an exceptional role model to staff.
- Is familiar with policies of regulatory agencies: JCAHO, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois Nurse Practice Act, Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA).
- Is able to establish priorities and possesses independent decision-making capabilities.
- CPR required: Only certifications issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross will be accepted.
Responsibilities
- Creates and develops evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols, and best practice models/guidelines
- Assists nurses and the interprofessional team in evaluating and elevating practice standards
- Partners with nursing and organizational leadership to identify practice gaps and implement sustainable improvements
- Designs, implements, and evaluates evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) projects
- Supports organizational priorities related to quality improvement, patient safety, and nursing excellence designation
- Translates internal data and external evidence into clinical practice recommendations
- Collects, analyzes, and interprets outcome data to assess project impact and sustainability
- Disseminates findings internally and externally through presentations and publications
- Participates actively in professional organizations and contributes to policy and practice advancement
- Serves as a subject matter expert in evidence-based practice and research translation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
