Shepherd Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions.
Join us in our mission to help people with a temporary or permanent disability, rebuild their lives with hope, independence and dignity, advocating for their full inclusion in all aspects of community life.
At Shepherd Center, you'll discover a diverse and inclusive environment, enlightened leadership, a culture of teamwork, professionalism and mutual respect. If you are seeking career advancement, continuing education opportunities coupled with a welcoming and fun workplace, competitive compensation and employment benefits, visit our careers page to explore current openings.
The Nurse Educator functions in a variety of clinical settings to ensure the competency of and meet the educational needs of clinical staff. The Nurse Educator assesses initial and ongoing learning needs, plans, and implements programs to meet the identified needs and assists in the evaluation of teaching outcomes on the learner, the organization, and patient care. This role collaborates with nursing, therapy, case management, and imaging services to provide education for the patients we serve in our outpatient areas such as spinal cord injury, brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, pain, and other neurological impairments. The Nurse Educator is a role model, patient advocate, and nursing staff advocate within the outpatient programs and helps drive the growth of the nurses and other clinical staff in an effort to improve the safety and quality of patient care.
The Nurse Educator provides learning activity for clinical staff, ensuring training needs are met. The scope of practice includes accountabilities for clinical orientation, staff development, student affiliations and patient/family education, as applicable to the outpatient area.
Please note this position is 32 hours a week.
Accountabilities:
Ensure coordinated care for patients in outpatient clinical area.
Assess educational needs, develop education/competency programs, to include orientation plans, that meet the needs of learner and develops knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe patient care.
Recognize high risk concepts/skills and provide guidance and resources to ensure safe, effective clinical care.
Communicate and coordinate clinical education needs to leadership.
Coordinate any center-wide needs in conjunction with the Nursing Education Committee.
Facilitate the development of educational materials (staff/patients, as applicable).
Coordinate and implement classroom and clinical orientation for clinical staff including nursing, imaging services, and case management in collaboration with area managers/supervisors
Coordinates student placement, orients students, and organizes preceptorships for nursing students, as applicable.
Organize and/or facilitate program specific patient/family education activities, as applicable.
Manages documentation and audits, provides action plans for areas needing improvement and communicates to OP leadership.
Communicate within the Center and the community at large in a manner that promotes excellent customer service and the professional sharing of information.
Participate in educational conferences and presentation for the discipline and the educational program.
Serve on and contribute to committees, task forces, or focus groups.
Maintain certification(s) and professional growth.
REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; RN with bachelor's degree in Nursing or Health related field preferred.
REQUIRED MINIMUM CERTIFICATION
American Heart Association BLS required.
Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) or similar certification such as MEDSURG-BC or Ambulatory Care Specialty required, OR must be obtained within 1 year of hire.
Current Georgia RN license.
REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE
3-5 years of clinical experience in either. rehabilitation, med surg, MS, and/or pain
Rehabilitation experience preferred.
REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS
Basic office computer skills; advanced skills in PowerPoint or other presentation mediums.
Knowledge of common office equipment such as fax and copier.
Basic competencies are expected in nursing practice, patient and employee safety, infection control, performance improvement, practice innovation, professional nursing practice, standards of clinical nursing practice, and systems for patient safety.
Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization, and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
Ability to assess patient and family needs and coordinate appropriate nursing plan of care. Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
Maintains congenial working relationships with clinical staff and leadership
Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.
Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Pain and/or behavioral health preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients.
Involves some latitude for judgement with regards to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.
Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting to 50 lbs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal patient care environment.
Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
