Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Promotes excellence in patient care by advancing the quality and scope of nursing practice through clinical practice, education, consultation, research and administrative roles in the area of clinical expertise.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in a nurse specialty from an accredited program or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse or as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (A.P.R.N.) in the State of Utah; basic life support health care provider card or obtain one within one month of hire; and demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills required.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Provides care to patients with complex problems and discharge needs in area of specialization, exhibiting creativity and innovation in nursing intervention.
2. Works intra- and interdepartmentally to develop and evaluate standards, policies and procedures for provision of a safe and therapeutic patient environment.
3. Provides and/or coordinates patient/family education and discharge planning. Develops and evaluates education programs and materials to facilitate patient education and discharge planning.
4. Provides clinical education to nursing staff, students, faculty and hospital personnel. Develops and conducts continuing education programs utilizing internal and external resources based on an evaluation of continuing education needs.
5. Serves as a content expert in developing and providing education for specialty area.
6. Functions as preceptor for both graduate and undergraduate students. Serves as a resource to the faculty in the area of expertise; provides lectures to students and may have a faculty appointment.
7. Functions as consultant to staff in complex patient care situations. Collaborates on the development of guidelines for documentation and care planning based on current clinical and research information.
8. Collaborates with Nurse Manager in orientation of new employees and provides feedback related to specific education needs.
9. Provides input in staff performance appraisal.
10. Functions as a change strategist, implementor and/or recipient by participating in continuous quality initiatives, internal and external committees designed to promote individual, groups and organizational performance.
11. Promotes the utilization of research findings in clinical practice. Facilitates and/or conducts research independently and/or collaboratively.
12. Evaluates care provided to individual patients and/or groups of patients based on specialty area.

Problem Solving

The Clinical Nurse Specialist makes decisions independently and in collaboration with the hospital staff and leadership. The Clinical Nurse Specialist is placed in a decision making position based on expertise, personal and/or delegated authority. Clinical Nurse Specialists interact with members of the nursing Practice Department, physicians, peer groups, other disciplines, State of Utah board of Nursing, members of specialty nursing organizations, faculty at University of Utah and other local and national colleges and universities, members and leaders of the community. The scope of the Clinical Nurse Specialists authority is to make nursing practice decisions in his/her area of specialty is broadly defined by University of Utah Hospital, Nursing Practice and unit-specific policies and procedures. Major challenges encountered by the incumbent include problems related to patients, patient’s families, health policy, ethical dilemmas and staff conflict management.

Comments

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Often: Infectious disease, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids), hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals).

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking, walking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), standing.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.