General Summary of PositionThe Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Specialist functions within the roles of educator, change agent, consultant, evidence-based practitioner, and leader. The NPD Specialist is responsible for assessment, planning, development, implementation and evaluation of learning and development programs that enhance associates' performance, promote professional development or otherwise support the mission, vision and SPIRIT Values of MedStar Health and the Department of Nursing.
Primary Duties and ResponsibilitiesLEARNING AND EDUCATION Demonstrates clinical expertise, leadership, communication skills, and knowledge of education theory and principles necessary to develop learning programs and achieve optimal educational outcomes. Designs, implements, and evaluates designated learning and educational programs and consultative services. Assesses learning needs through formal and informal approaches to data collection to determine specific education needs of associates. Applies teaching techniques that promote critical thinking and evidence-based practice incorporating principles of adult learning theory.
Participates in On-Boarding and Orientation of new associate by conducting general nursing orientation programs and coordinating the unit-based orientation of associates new to the department of nursing and/or hospital. Supports transition to practice for newly licensed nurses using the MedStar New to Practice Nurse Residency Program model. On-Going Learning: Existing and New Clinical Programs On-Boarding and Orientation of New Associates Plans and conducts orientation of new personnel to facilitate a new associate's transition to the practice environment and meeting competency assessment requirements in conformance with departmental objectives, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards. Identifies and assesses learning needs and knowledge or skill gaps that require remediation, and collaborates with unit leaders to promote critical thinking and competent patient care delivery. Develops education plans, coordinates appropriate resources, evaluates and documents responses to teaching, and follows up with associates transitioning to different clinical areas or roles. Coordinates and plans educational offerings for nursing associates with consideration of but not limited to mandatory regulatory requirements, quality and safety, performance improvement, and clinical advancement. Continuing Education and Provider of Contact Hours Provides continuing education activities to expand current knowledge and where appropriate acquire and maintain certification using provider unit and other resources.
Conducts educational activities that inform, teach, and facilitate adoption of new procedures, technologies, equipment, and patient care trends with continuing education credits where appropriate. Facilitate the offering of clinical nursing specialty certification review programsCOMPETENCY ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT Provides expertise for competency development and competence assessment across the department of nursing. Plans and regularly conducts competency validation programs for nursing department associates. Applies principles of adult learning to assess staff learning and competency needs.
Offers competency-building activities to enhance associates' educational and experiential learning. Coaches other nursing associates and provides feedback to enhance professional nursing practice. Differentiates between practice gaps and performance or system issues and addresses them accordingly.EVALUATION OF LEARNING PROGRAMS Develops evaluation plans and applies evidence-based evaluation systems to determine the effectiveness of educational activities and learning programs. Involves learners in the evaluation process. Provides documentation of participation and level of success during competency and educational programs.
Disseminates the evaluation results of the learning activities and revises learning programs based on objective evaluation data. Reviews performance data on clinical, quality and safety of care delivery and contributes to plans which address patient population-specific needs and enhance outcomes.CAREER COUNSELING, MENTORING, AND COACHING Assists adult learners in applying theoretical knowledge through utilization of tactics such as just-in-time training and in-the-moment coaching.
Meets identified learning needs, fosters lifelong learning, and supports career advancement in a wide-range of nursing specialties. Evaluates own practice in relation to nursing professional development and practice standards, guidelines, and relevant statues, rules and regulations. Pursues ongoing learning and educational opportunities to enhance own practice, knowledge, skills and competencies. Promotes Pathway to Excellence standards through daily practice.EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE AND RESEARCH Incorporates evidence into learning programs and clinical education activities especially in content development and use of evidence-based learning models and evaluation systems.
Participates in research, evidence-based practice, and/or performance improvement activities. Maintains knowledge of evidence and current trends and innovations in nursing practice, clinical instruction, nursing education, staff development, and use of simulation and learning technologies. Utilizes approaches and strategies that support and optimize patient care outcomes that are based on the interdisciplinary plan of care and absolutes of IMOC and Contemporary Primary Nursing Promotes the standards of Pathway to Excellence through daily practice Takes action to support the National Patient Safety Goals, nursing sensitive indicators, regulatory requirements (i.e. DC Health, TJC) and other identified quality metrics.PARTNERSHIPS: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ACADEMIC, STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH Participates in and disseminates information from committees involving the community, health system, entity, and unit or department related to learning programs, projects, and collaborative governance council activities.
Collaborates with other departments, experts, and leaders, both internal and external to MedStar Health, to obtain information needed to purse development of relevant learning programs. Serves as a liaison with academic partners and clinical student placements. Participate in the conduct of research or collaborates with others in such activities.
Minimum QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in Nursing required Master's degree in Nursing, Health Care or Business Administration preferred
Experience3-4 years of progressively more responsible job related experience required experience in teaching or professional development preferred
Licenses and CertificationsRN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the District of Columbia required Certification in clinical specialty from nationally recognized nursing organization. within 1 Year required Nursing Professional Development certification within 36 months of hire. required BLS - Basic Life Support required
Why MedStar Health At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered. We live up to this promise through:
Strong emphasis on teamwork - our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity - we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.Comprehensive total rewards package - including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.More career opportunities closer to home - as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.
About MedStar HealthMedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It’s how we treat people.MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations. MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws. If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health's policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.