Registered Nurse Educator

PruittHealth•Aiken, SC

About The Position

The Registered Nurse Educator, also identified as the Clinical Competency Coordinator, creates a culture of excellence and learning among staff through role modeling, education, competency assessment, and team-building activities. The position evaluates patient care by assessing clinical staff competency, observing bedside care, reviewing procedures and professional conduct, and examining medical records and documentation. The role coordinates clinical competency assessment and training based on ongoing evaluation, patient needs, and acuity. It develops and delivers education, supports orientation and preceptor programs, communicates with department and unit leaders about learning needs, and maintains education records. The position also administers the facility’s Pruitt University education system and participates in performance improvement and facility surveys. The coordinator is responsible for infection control and workplace safety programs, including infection surveillance, staff training, consultation across departments, exposure-control documentation, and coordination of the Hepatitis B vaccination program and post-exposure follow-up. The role maintains confidentiality of employee medical records and supports compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.

Requirements

Nursing degree from an accredited college or university, or graduation from an accredited or approved RN program.
Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice.
Current CPR (BLS) certification.
Within six months of hire, successfully complete organizational training programs in IV Certification, Pain Management, Wound Care, Respiratory Care, and CCC Certification.
Within twelve months, obtain American Heart Association CPR Instructor certification.
Recent acute-care or long-term-care experience.
Computer skills, including Microsoft Word.
Knowledge and use of adult learning principles.
Work history documenting volunteer or paid teaching experience, including competency assessment of skills.
Excellent clinical assessment skills and the ability to teach these skills using adult learning principles.
Maintain clinical competency through Pruitt University and other needed sources, including organization-required training.
Attend continuing education to stay current in the field and maintain required license or certification.
Attend and participate in mandatory in-services.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing and maintaining policy-driven practices is highly desirable.
Experience working with state and federal regulations is a plus.
Experience providing patient, family, and/or staff education is strongly encouraged.
Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills are preferred.
CPR Instructor certification is preferred.
Certification by a nationally accredited nursing organization is highly preferred, such as Gerontological Nursing, CRNI, or Certified Nurse Educator.

Responsibilities

Coordinate clinical competency assessments and training needs of clinical staff based on ongoing evaluation, patient needs, and acuity.
Provide relevant and creative education for clinical staff, focusing on clinical skills, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills.
Participate in the interview and selection process for clinical staff.
Complete initial competency assessments during orientation, annually, and as needed.
Identify and train preceptors, oversee the preceptor program, and meet regularly with the preceptor team to maintain organizational standards, policies, and procedures.
Conduct competency assessments to determine partner learning needs based on patient conditions and acuity.
Meet regularly with the DHS to review learning needs, coordinate training, and implement education and follow-up plans.
Communicate with unit managers about new partner orientation, competency status, and ongoing educational needs.
Review case-mix and clinical-meeting outcomes with the DHS to identify staff learning needs.
Participate in performance improvement activities.
Serve as the facility Pruitt University system administrator, train partners, and promote ongoing use of the education tool.
Maintain documentation of partner education in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures.
Develop and direct facility orientation and training for new employees, including facility policies, procedures, philosophy of care, and long-term-care regulations.
Communicate and interpret policies and procedures to nursing staff and monitor their effective implementation.
Establish and implement an infection control program to promote a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection.
Conduct infection-control surveillance to investigate, control, and prevent infections in the facility.
Advise departments on applying infection-control principles and procedures to specific situations.
Train staff and monitor performance in hand washing, isolation techniques, and universal precautions.
Implement facility workplace safety programs, including hazard communication, bloodborne-pathogen exposure controls, and required occupational illness and injury records.
Keep material safety data sheets and the bloodborne-pathogen exposure control plan readily accessible to staff at all times.
Coordinate the Hepatitis B vaccination program and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.
Maintain confidentiality of employee medical records.
Participate in center or agency surveys, including licensure and JCAHO surveys, and complete subsequently required reports.
Attend continuing education programs and mandatory in-services, maintain current required licensure or certification, and maintain personal clinical competency.
Honor patient and resident rights, comply with the corporate compliance program, report occupational hazards, and follow established safety procedures.