Professional Practice and Development Coordinator

The Professional Practice and Development Coordinator uses knowledge of educational and caring science theory, servant leadership and the practice environment to support lifelong nursing professional development. This position demonstrates competence in nursing education while influencing the professional growth of nursing in a variety of settings. This position will inspire and support creative and innovative approaches to addressing challenges and problems. This position will promote the components of the Magnet® model, including the elevation of the image of nursing and the promotion of professional development. They will function as a transformational leader who promotes the professional practice model, while providing the support and resources to support the organizations goals. They will support structural empowerment by establishing the relationships and address issues of concern with the nursing care team.

The Professional Practice and Development Coordinator will ensure that nurses have the knowledge and skills necessary to practice, collaborate and communicate professionally, resulting in exemplary professional practice. They will identify educational needs and respond through the implementation of appropriate programs for the specialty/ unit. This position administers, facilitates, conducts and evaluates competency assessment programs. The coordinator teaches the care process and the appropriate standards of practice and standards of care. The coordinator participates in the development of standards of performance and assists staff to work within policies and procedures. This position also participates in policy review and development. The coordinator is a resource for the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of programs in compliance with the NJSNA provider unit policies and procedures.

The Professional Practice and Development Coordinator fosters an attitude relating to the benefit and opportunities of lifelong learning. This position integrates the use of technology to support clinical practice while maximizing the efficiency of existing resources to deliver quality patient care.

The Professional Practice and Development Coordinator supports organizational and unit specific goals by providing quality customer service, participating in performance improvement efforts, and demonstrating a commitment to teamwork and cooperation. The coordinator demonstrates an active and engaged commitment to diversity. This position works to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates and promotes respect for diversity of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation or citizenship in the organization. This position will actively participate in quality improvement activities through the development and support of unit based PDCAs.

The Professional Practice and Development Coordinator implements and evaluates evidence-based practice, which enables and educates nurses to appropriately explore the safest and best practice for their patients and the practice environment and to generate new knowledge. This position participates in nursing research activities and supports organizational research activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• EDUCATION: Current licensure as a registered nurse in the state of New Jersey. Bachelor's degree in nursing required.
• LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Certification within area of specialty required within 3 years of hire. BLS HCP required. Additional requirements as identified by the unit (ex: ACLS, PALS, etc.).
• EXPERIENCE: 3-5 years of clinical experience required. Knowledge of adult teaching principles required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. Leadership skills preferred. Proficiency in clinical applications preferred at time of hire. Incumbents within position will be trained appropriately and then skill will be required for this position within 30-60 days from date of hire.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Demonstrates the technical competencies as established on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

Career Development

• Provides feedback in the knowledge, skills and competency of the staff.
• Accepts personal responsibility for own professional development.
• Demonstrates effective oral and written skills.
• Uses effective interpersonal skills.
• Fosters critical thinking.
• Links nurses to professional development and other relevant resources.

Education

• Functions in the role of both teacher and facilitator.
• Creates an effective learning environment.
• Demonstrates proficiency in use of technology.
• Develops, conducts and evaluates unit education based on specific unit need.
• Plans, designs, implements and evaluates education programs in compliance with the NJSNA provider unit policies and procedures.
• Implements and evaluates unit-level orientation programs in consultation with management and staff.
• Serves as a resource for continued learning and professional self-development for staff and peers.
• Participates in organizational professional education.
• Implements and evaluates teaching strategies for a specific patient population in collaboration with staff and management.
• Applies nursing and learning theoretical and conceptual foundations as a basis for developing programs.

Leadership

• Advocates for Nursing Professional Development programs that support the needs of the learner and the organization.
• Demonstrates a sensitivity to ethical, cultural and spiritual inclusion.
• Engages in ethical decision-making.
• Effectively facilitates group process.
• Functions as a change agent and leader.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Promotes problem solving.
• Interprets and uses research in practice.

Practice

• Utilizes clinical knowledge to assess the needs of patients/family with complex problems.
• Provides guidance and direction in planning, implementing and evaluating total patient care, based on the assessment of patient's physical, psychosocial and cultural needs, age and functional status.
• Participates in the ongoing evaluation of patient care delivery.
• Implements and evaluates standards/guidelines of nursing care/practice.
• Analyzes unit-specific quality data and creates PDCAs on relevant variances.
• Evaluates nursing practice in accordance with standards of nursing care and assists with implementation of measures directed at improving quality care.
• Participates in clinical mock rounds and simulation activities to identify any safety issues related to medications, restraints, falls and the environment.
• Serves as a facilitator, innovator and problem solver regarding exemplary nursing care with direct involvement in techniques equipment and standardizing care.

Program/Project Management

• Plans and Implements programs and projects, using innovation and creativity.
• Consistently uses planning methodologies when implementing, facilitating and evaluating various programs and projects.
• Implements evaluation plan for programs and projects.
• Participates in and supports all regulatory and survey readiness activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens, along with infectious diseases. Physical demands include, but are not limited to, considerable stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing heavy equipment and excessive standing and walking. Lifts approximately 25-50 lbs. frequently; lifts 50-100 lbs. with assistance occasionally.

Essential functions for this position are listed on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports directly to department leadership and may supervise incumbents as assigned.

The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.