Clinical Nurse Specialist – Behavioral Health

• Advances nursing practice through innovative evidence-based interventions, best practice guidelines, research, and modifications of professional standards and organizational policies that direct the care of nursing staff and other providers to improve outcomes.
• Provides leadership and expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative individual and/or population-based programs of care to achieve desired quality, cost-effective, nurse-sensitive outcomes.
• Provides input, direction and expertise in the assessment/development, implementation and evaluation of orientation, annual competency assessment, and specialty or expertise related continuing education programs.
• Collaborates with other leadership, and provides consultation and clinical resources to staff, management, administration, and external agencies and organizations related to area of expertise as well as the value of nursing care within the organization.
• Collaborates with the Manager, staff, healthcare providers and other disciplines to monitor and ensure compliance with local, state, federal, and other regulatory agencies.
• Establishes and monitors care standards and facilitates change(s) in area of clinical practice. Initiates change for nursing practices and patient plans of care based on data analyses.
• In collaboration with other healthcare practitioners, contributes to the achievement of service and clinical quality goals.
• Coaches clinical nurses in the professional development model and mentors patient care managers, coaches, and other professional peer review team members in the process where applicable.
• Promotes research and evidence-based practice through the review, interpretation, and implementation of research findings. Facilitates development of abstracts, research proposals and conduction of research. Coaches and mentors clinical caregivers to participate in research opportunities. Role models the use of research and evidence based findings.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices, and
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) needs to be obtained within 2 years, or
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification issued by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) needs to be obtained within 2 years, or
• Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS) certification issued by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) needs to be obtained within 2 years, or
• Orthopedic Clinical Nurse Specialist – Certified (OCNS-C) certification issued by the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) needs to be obtained within 2 years, or
• Nursing certification in one or more specialty-specific areas issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or other approved national governing body, and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required:

• Master’s Degree in Nursing.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in nursing or clinical specialty area. Must also complete 500 clinical hours in a clinical nurse specialist program.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated expertise in a clinical specialty area including clinical competence and an in-depth knowledge of clinical practice.
• Demonstrated leadership skills including ability to teach, project management, decision making, delegation, team building, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and listening skills. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective communications among and with nursing and other healthcare staff.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail, and to work independently or in a team environment.
• Intermediate computer skills including ability to use word processing and spreadsheet software.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently during work shift.
• Must be able to:
• – lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• – lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• – carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• – push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• – perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• May be exposed to weather and road conditions due to traveling.
• Must be capable of the manual dexterity required to operate a variety of office and business equipment.
• Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiation, and blood and body fluids on a continuous basis. Will be required to wear protective gear as needed.
• Must have functional sight and hearing.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.