RN/EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST

Riverside Healthcare•Kankakee, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The RN Education Specialist is a Nursing Professional Development Practitioner working in the Organizational Development & Learning Department. Designs, delivers, and evaluates learning experiences across orientation, competency, continuing education, and change initiatives using instructional design, organizational development, and performance consulting methods. Supports regulatory readiness and patient safety through evidence-based education, simulation, and collaboration with leaders and interdisciplinary teams including soft skills, clinical skills and electronic documentation. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure. As a salaried professional, you may be expected to work above your FTE as needed.

Requirements

Minimum of five (5) years of nursing experience required
Demonstrated ability to teach, facilitate, and coach adult learners; strong presentation and relationship-building skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate logistics, and maintain accurate documentation/records.
Ability to obtain and maintain role-specific certifications/credentials as assigned within an established time period (e.g., learning platform, content authoring tools, clinical/operational competencies, or enterprise application training credentials when applicable).
Graduate of approved school of nursing, Associate's Degree in Nursing required.
Current IL RN license

Nice To Haves

Minimum of two years of nursing experience and healthcare training, performance consulting, organizational development experience preferred
Experience developing and delivering training programs, including virtual and in-person formats.
Familiarity with EHR systems (Epic preferred or PointClickCare), workflows and healthcare workflows.
Experience in clinical education, instructional design, performance improvement/consulting, or organizational development preferred.
Ability to analyze performance gaps, develop measurable learning objectives, and evaluate effectiveness.
BSN or Greater
Certifications such as AHA CPR Instructor (preferred) and/or specialty certification relevant to role scope.
Certification within specialty or Nursing Professional Development from ANPD

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and deliver instructor-led and virtual learning, e-learning/WBT, job aids, and reference materials using evidence-based instructional design practices; align content to role-based workflows and competency expectations.
Facilitates transition to practice for clinical roles, Nurse Residency, new employee orientation; coordinate learning pathways, assess completion, and document outcomes; support competency validation processes.
Partner with leaders to assess performance gaps, identify root causes, learning needs assessment and recommend solutions (training and non-training); measure effectiveness using learning and operational metrics and implement improvements.
Support adoption of new processes, technology, and practice standards using change management and organizational development approaches; contribute to stakeholder readiness planning and reinforcement strategies.
Coordinate and conduct clinical skills labs, simulations, and mock codes; facilitate debriefs, summarize findings, and collaborate on action plans to improve safety and reliability.
Develop and maintain education that supports IDPH/CMS, accreditation, and internal policy requirements; integrate current evidence, standards of care, and quality/safety priorities to maintain survey readiness.
Provide consultation and coaching to promote patient-centered care, professional development, and a positive learning culture; participate in committees and interdisciplinary workgroups as an education resource.
Support scheduling, classroom/training logistics, learning records, and equipment needs to ensure consistent delivery and documentation of education activities.
Serve as education representatives for assigned areas; round in assigned areas to ensure educational materials remain current and accessible; identifies learning needs and creates education plans, in addition to monitoring education completion and follow up with leaders/teams.
Participate in special projects, events, pilots, and task forces as assigned to support organizational priorities.
Provide cross-coverage for other education team functions during high-volume periods or vacancies as needed.

Benefits

Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards
Nationally rated employee well-being programs
Competitive compensation
Generous retirement offerings
Programs that invest in your career development
Paid Time Off programs
Medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program
Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work