Description
The Faculty of Nursing is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Clinical Placement Specialist for approximately 24 months.
The Faculty of Nursing, Clinical Placement Office is responsible for securing and arranging a large number of clinical placements for undergraduate and graduate clinical nursing courses, which run year-round. The clinical placement team frequently networks with various health care providers such as Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, external/community agencies and other post-secondary institutions.
The Clinical Placement Specialist works closely with the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator, , to develop long-term team goals, to ensure that quality placements are secured to meet course learner outcomes and to ensure that instructors and students have met the necessary pre-requisites required to function in the specific clinical environment. To be successful, the incumbent must develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, the incumbent must develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of the Faculty of Nursing Undergraduate program regulations and course sequencing, as well as knowledge of Alberta Health Services (AHS) regulations and documents as they relate to clinical placements.
High standards in quality of work are necessary as errors directly affect students and the reputation of the Faculty of Nursing and the University of Calgary as a whole.
This position deals with complex clinical placement advising issues. There is high volume of work with peak periods which necessitates a flexible and adaptable work ethic; therefore, efficient time management skills are critical to ensure that all deadlines are met.
The Clinical Placement Specialist must act in a self-directed, independent manner, setting and managing competing priorities while achieving quality results in an environment of heavy workload. The incumbent must possess strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving abilities to independently deal effectively with complex tasks and issues. Communication with staff, faculty, external organizations and students is frequent, requiring the ability to act decisively while exercising a high degree of discretion, confidentiality, judgment and professionalism.
This AUPE position falls under the direction of the Associate Dean Undergraduate Practice Education. There is also a strong linkage requiring collaboration and accountability to the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator. Regular work hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Occasional overtime may be required during peak periods. Some independent travel throughout the City of Calgary may be required.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Collaborates with the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator to develop team priorities and project timelines
- Develops and maintains an in-depth understanding of Faculty of Nursing Undergraduate and Graduate regulations and course sequencing, as well as knowledge of Alberta Health Services (AHS) regulations and documents as they relate to clinical placements
- Takes proactive steps, based on prior experience and upcoming changes, to identify potential problems and proposes mutually acceptable solutions to internal and external parties involved. Using tact and diplomacy, takes the initiative to investigate and resolve business processes and practices, which are broken or are not working smoothly
- Provides expertise and guidance in the creation, implementation and dissemination of internal policies, procedures and business processes, related to clinical placements, to ensure optimum efficiency and effectiveness. Advises faculty, staff and students regarding University and AHS regulations, policies and procedures relating to clinical placements while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and compliance (e.g., internal, ATIA, POPA, HSPnet)
- Acts as an HSPnet “expert/super user”. This involves continuous high-level training and building strong relationships with HSPnet staff. Arranges system access for Faculty of Nursing staff/faculty members and advises HSPnet users within the Faculty. Troubleshoots internal user issues, referring colleagues to potential training opportunities or higher-level support as required
- Accountable for ensuring that current/active practicum agreements are in place for all non-AHS agencies in advance of students commencing hours at the site/unit. Initiates the renewal process with key individuals at external agencies. Assists the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator and Legal Services to draft new or revised practicum agreements, well in advance of each semester, for approval by the Provost
- Collaborates with key contacts/departments at AHS and other external sites to identify prerequisite requirements for each site/unit, identifying when changes in requirements have been made. Implements procedures for new requirements and creates strong business processes which ensure compliance and mitigate risk
- Accountable for mitigating risk through checks and balances that are put into place to ensure required documentation, training/modules, etc., based on specific unit/agency requirements, are completed by students/ instructors before specific site access is granted. Provides expert advice to individuals with deficient requirements (individually or via the Nursing Practice Course Coordinator) and assesses the impact of non-compliance
- The Clinical Placement Specialist plays a pivotal role in requesting, maintaining, developing and implementing system access processes for the Faculty of Nursing students and faculty. This includes unit card access and computer access to required electronic healthcare record system to all practice sitesCollaborates with the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator to develop a strategic plan for implementation of Connect Care.Takes the lead in the implementation of Connect Care work flow, processes and systems for the Faculty of Nursing
- Acts as an expert in the area of using Connect Care for clinical placements within the undergraduate and graduate programs. Is accountable for ensuring that information provided to AHS is accurate and complies with established internal and external guidelines
- Independently assesses, investigates and resolves issues related to unit access and other barriers, ensuring positive outcomes in a timely manner. Critically examines each situation and makes recommendations for internal process changes to ensure that similar issues do not occur in the future. Builds strong relationships with key players at AHS to problem solve, influence changes to AHS business practices and find mutually agreeable resolutions to common issues and barriers
- Responsible for overseeing the process for students applying for international and out of region clinical placements (includes arranging interviews, collecting application materials and information required for international travel such as passport details, etc.). This involves liaising with International Student Services and Risk Management to determine international protocol/requirements for instructors and students as well as identifying potential risk to the University, Faculty, students and instructors
- Ensures top quality advising within the Clinical Placement Office. Independently identifies opportunities for continuous improvement to ensure a seamless student/instructor experience
- Proactively initiates projects and takes the lead on projects aimed at quality improvement of services provided through the Clinical Placement Office
- Maintains accurate student cohort lists, based on student progression, for current planning as well as for future forecasting. This involves working closely with and interpreting data provided by the Associate Deans Offices and the Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Office . Evaluates the processes for sharing of information between these three offices and takes the lead in implementing process improvements
- Compiles and interprets statistical data related to clinical placements for program planning and internal/external reporting. Synthesizes data and develops various internal and external reports to provide recommendations to the team regarding strategic planning
- Analyzes the types of data collected within the Clinical Placement Office and is responsible for full-cycle collection and storage of data ensuring compliance with record and retention protocols
- Produces HSPnet reports outlining past placements (subject areas and clinical practice hours), to the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator and/or Undergraduate Programs Office, for paperwork required by alumni seeking nursing registration in countries outside of Canada
- Develops and maintains database systems for information not housed in HSPnet or PeopleSoft
- Assigns students, in HSPnet, to the assigned practice destination (site), keeping AHS informed of changes
- Ensuring the quality and integrity of the information, provides instructor and student information to AHS for IT, site and destination (unit) access
- Maintains completion records of required training modules for students, to ensure compliance with the Student Placement Agreements
- Provides administrative support to the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator as required
- Provides coverage, to the extent possible, in the absence of the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator
- Undertakes additional projects as assigned by the Associate Dean Undergraduate Practice Education or the Senior Clinical Placement Coordinator
QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree, in the area of business or project management, is required. A Master’s degree in a similar field would be considered an asset
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience coordinating diverse projects, with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, is required
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience with data query, analysis and statistical reporting is required
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience in an advising capacity, working with senior leadership or senior level internal and external stakeholders, is required
- Ability to be flexible and manage a heavy workload and stress during peak periods is required
- Strong business writing, planning, time management and organizational skills are essential
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders is critical
- The ability to understand and accurately disseminate information regarding processes, policies and procedures related to clinical placements is essential
- Excellent written and oral communication skills are required. The ability to communicate in a pleasant and professional manner is essential
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy is essential and is required for this position
- Highly developed analytical skills with proven ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities in an effective manner is critical
- High levels of innovation, creative problem-solving and decision-making are required to ensure integrity of service
- High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) is essential with a strong ability to adapt quickly to new technology. HSPnet experience would be beneficial. [HSPnet is a robust electronic database system used across the province for tracking and managing student placements, including placement specific requirements.]
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment, with the ability to initiate tasks and determine priorities and deadlines is required
- High degree of judgment, discretion, ethics and professionalism is required
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and be resourceful, creative and innovative is essential
- Must have ability to remain calm and organized in demanding situations and deal appropriately with stress resulting from these situations
- Incumbent requires a strong desire to work in a team-based environment, to meet team goals and to continue learning and development on a regular basis
- Knowledge of the University’s culture, policies, and practices is preferred
- Must be very comfortable in a highly computerized environment, including database management and online technology
- Excellent organizational skills including ability to work independently, meet deadlines, coordinate a number of projects/programs simultaneously in response to changing/conflicting priorities is required
Application Deadline: July 09, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
Linked-in
Google