Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children’s offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members.
At Connecticut Children’s, treating children isn’t just our job – it’s our passion. As a leading children’s health system experiencing steady growth, we’re excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children’s health and well-being as one team.

The Clinical Education Specialist is a registered nurse who influences professional role competence and professional growth of learners. The Clinical Educational Specialist supports lifelong learners in an interprofessional environment that facilitates continuous development. The Clinical Education Specialist serves as a Learning Facilitator, Change Agent, Mentor, Leader, Champion for Scientific Inquiry, Advocate for the Nursing Professional Development Specialty, and Partner for Practice Transition. Specific responsibilities include: onboarding/orientation, competency management, education, professional role development, research/evidence-based practice/quality improvement, and collaborative partnerships. A key concept of the position is twenty-four hour accountability for assessing and meeting the learning needs of clinical employees.

• Analyzes issues, trends, and supporting data to determine the needs of individuals, organizations and communities in relation to health care.
• Collects data and information to validate an identified gap in professional practice and to determine the specific knowledge, skill or practice deficit or opportunity.
• Identifies desired outcomes of the educational plan.
• Establishes a plan that prescribes strategies, alternatives, and resources to achieve expected outcomes.
• Implements the identified plan.
• Coordinates educational initiatives and activities.
• Employs strategies to facilitate positive learning and practice environments.
• Provides consultation to influence plans, enhance the abilities of others, and effect change.
• Evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes.
• Integrates ethics in all areas of practice.
• Maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing and professional development practice.
• Acts as a champion of scientific inquiry, generating new knowledge and integrating best available evidence into practice.
• Systematically enhances the quality and effectiveness of nursing professional development practice.
• Acts as a change agent within all settings.
• Provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.
• Collaborates with interprofessional teams, leaders, stakeholders, and others to facilitate nursing and positive outcomes for consumers.
• Evaluates personal practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines and relevant statues, rules, and regulations.
• Considers factors related to quality, safety, effectiveness and cost regarding professional development activities and expected outcomes.
• Advances the profession and the specialty through mentoring and contributions to the professional development of others.
• Demonstrates support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the Connecticut Children’s standards.

• Demonstrates ownership and accountability to department and organization outcomes.Demonstrates flexibility in schedule in order to provide off-shift visibility.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing required.
• Experience in adult learning and program development.
• Minimum two years of acute care nursing experience, preferably in pediatrics.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• Master’s Degree or higher in nursing preferred, but matriculation in program required within 18 months of hire and completion of program required within four years of hire date.
• Education and experience in Professional Development/education is strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Adult instructional methods and theories, learning concepts, and evaluation.
• Nursing and professional development practice.
• Regulatory/Compliance/Joint Commission standards.
• Theory, principles, techniques and practice of professional nursing.
• Accreditation and certification requirements and standards.

Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills, as well as an ability to communicate effectively within a team, across disciplines, and with patients and families.
• High level customer service skills to establish and enhance positive relationships with others.
• High Emotional Intelligence.
• Positive attitude and engaging personality.
• Strong instructional design/training skills.
• Must be comfortable facilitating training or presenting information in front of a large group.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Leadership and management skills or potential to learn including communication, conflict resolution, team building, problem solving and decision making
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite products and the ability to learn and use the organization’s Learning Management System

Ability to:

• Function independently, prioritize and manage time.
• Have a flexible schedule to best meet employee learning needs.
• Demonstrate all of the Connecticut Children’s Leadership core behaviors, values and code of conduct or demonstrate the potential to do so.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Act in a professional capacity and serve as a professional role model.
• Contribute to quality assurance programs, and enforce organizational and unit policies, procedures andstandards.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides mentoring and coaching to learners. As needed and in support of the Performance Management Process, provides feedback to learners’ leadership teams.

The Clinical Education Specialist is a registered nurse who influences professional role competence and professional growth of learners. The Clinical Educational Specialist supports lifelong learners in an interprofessional environment that facilitates continuous development. The Clinical Education Specialist serves as a Learning Facilitator, Change Agent, Mentor, Leader, Champion for Scientific Inquiry, Advocate for the Nursing Professional Development Specialty, and Partner for Practice Transition. Specific responsibilities include: onboarding/orientation, competency management, education, professional role development, research/evidence-based practice/quality improvement, and collaborative partnerships. A key concept of the position is twenty-four hour accountability for assessing and meeting the learning needs of clinical employees.

• Analyzes issues, trends, and supporting data to determine the needs of individuals, organizations and communities in relation to health care.
• Collects data and information to validate an identified gap in professional practice and to determine the specific knowledge, skill or practice deficit or opportunity.
• Identifies desired outcomes of the educational plan.
• Establishes a plan that prescribes strategies, alternatives, and resources to achieve expected outcomes.
• Implements the identified plan.
• Coordinates educational initiatives and activities.
• Employs strategies to facilitate positive learning and practice environments.
• Provides consultation to influence plans, enhance the abilities of others, and effect change.
• Evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes.
• Integrates ethics in all areas of practice.
• Maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing and professional development practice.
• Acts as a champion of scientific inquiry, generating new knowledge and integrating best available evidence into practice.
• Systematically enhances the quality and effectiveness of nursing professional development practice.
• Acts as a change agent within all settings.
• Provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.
• Collaborates with interprofessional teams, leaders, stakeholders, and others to facilitate nursing and positive outcomes for consumers.
• Evaluates personal practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines and relevant statues, rules, and regulations.
• Considers factors related to quality, safety, effectiveness and cost regarding professional development activities and expected outcomes.
• Advances the profession and the specialty through mentoring and contributions to the professional development of others.
• Demonstrates support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the Connecticut Children’s standards.
• Demonstrates ownership and accountability to department and organization outcomes.Demonstrates flexibility in schedule in order to provide off-shift visibility