Job Description

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) - Advanced Practice Nursing and Patient Care Quality

Position Overview: We are actively seeking an experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to lead and uphold clinical standards within our healthcare organization. This role demands deep expertise in a specialized area of nursing (e.g., pediatrics, oncology, or adult medicine), combined with CVICU experience to support high-risk patient care. The CNS will develop and maintain quality standards, provide advanced practice education, conduct clinical research, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes and care quality.

Key Non-Negotiable Requirements:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certification : Active CNS certification in California required at the time of hire.
• Experience in Staff Training and Orientation : Demonstrated experience in developing and leading training programs and orienting new nursing staff.
• CVICU Experience : Proven expertise in cardiovascular intensive care (CVICU) settings, critical for supporting complex patient care needs.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Care Standards and Clinical Leadership : Define, establish, and evaluate high standards of nursing care for complex patient populations, particularly in high-risk areas like CVICU. Make recommendations to improve standards based on clinical evidence and interdisciplinary input.
• Patient and Family Education : Design educational programs that meet the needs of patients and their families, focusing on health literacy and empowerment. Provide ongoing support to ensure successful program implementation by nursing staff.
• Staff Competency Development and Mentorship : Collaborate with healthcare team members to assess nursing knowledge, pinpoint learning needs, and deliver competency-based training. Serve as a mentor and preceptor for new nurses and graduate students.
• Interdisciplinary Care Planning : Develop interdisciplinary care plans tailored to the needs of complex, high-risk patients, ensuring that each patient receives a coordinated approach to healthcare.
• Consultation and Best Practices : Act as a clinical consultant to physicians, nurses, and healthcare providers. Drive improvements in care standards by introducing evidence-based techniques and supporting staff with clinical decision-making.
• Quality Assurance and Data Analysis : Play a critical role in quality assurance initiatives by setting monitoring standards, collecting data, and analyzing patient care trends. Evaluate morbidity, mortality, and overall outcomes to guide care enhancements.
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) Management : Utilize the EHR system to oversee and assess clinical documentation quality, monitor outcomes, and ensure compliance with healthcare standards.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Experience : Minimum of three (3) years in a clinical specialty area required.
• Education : Bachelor’s degree in Nursing; Master’s degree in a clinical nursing field or related discipline (e.g., psychology, public health, social work, bioethics) from an accredited program.
• Licensure and Certification : Active CNS certification and Registered Nurse (RN) License in California; Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) : Preferred for candidates with leadership experience in advanced clinical settings.
• Advanced Certifications : ACLS or PALS certification preferred for critical care competency.

Additional Position Details:

• Employee Status : Regular, Individual Contributor role with supervisory responsibilities.
• Location : Santa Clara, CA (no relocation assistance provided).
• Travel Requirements : No travel expected.
• Work Schedule : Standard working hours (not flexible).

Opportunity Highlights: This role offers a unique chance to contribute to our organization’s mission to become a heart transplant center. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing nursing practices and preparing our team to deliver exceptional care in this high-stakes area. Join a supportive and innovative environment where quality, integrity, and teamwork are at the core of our culture.

Executive Placement Network (EPN) is assisting our client in filling this position. EPN is a leading recruiting agency with offices in NYC's Financial District and a network of over 1,400 recruiters. We specialize in executive search and helping clients with their hiring needs.

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