Job Summary

 Northern Illinois Hospice is dedicated to the quality, safety, and education of their employees, caregivers, the healthcare community, and the community at large. Focusing on quality, and safety, the Clinical & Community Nurse Educator will develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate resource materials.  In addition, the Clinical & Community Nurse Educator will develop and provide education to the healthcare community and to personal caregivers and professional healthcare workers who are supporting individuals with a serious or terminal illness.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist with the development of course content and materials used by staff for patient and family education.
• Assist with the development of course content and materials for staff, volunteers, personal caregivers, professional healthcare workers, referring providers, and community partners.
• Utilize industry standards and best practices in the provision of education to the healthcare community and the community at large.
• Utilize a variety of learning environments such as e-learning, classroom instruction, webinars, and one-on-one training to meet the educational needs of the adult learner
• Create educational resources and programs for the community and healthcare workers through various channels including individual education, group programs, website, and/or social media.
• Utilize various methods of communication to engage an audience.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate with a diverse audience.
• Develop educational materials appropriate for the educational level of the audience.
• Collaborate with a team in the development of educational programs and materials.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage time and resources to meet project deadlines and work objectives.
• Provide education in accordance with JCAH and professional standards with a focus on the Northern Illinois Hospice’s standard of “I Am a Teacher”.
• Demonstrate the Model Nursing Visit when teaching staff.
• Develops educational needs assessment tools as directed to identify areas where additional training or enhancement of the current learning program is needed for staff and volunteers.
• Collaborate with the healthcare community and the community at-large to assist in the ongoing education of hospice care and services, through workshops, in-services, and community programs.
• Record all training sessions and competencies to include the course content and attendance.
• Develops educational needs assessment tools as directed to identify areas where additional training or enhancement of the current learning program is needed for staff and volunteers.
• Collaborate with the healthcare community and the community at-large to assist in the ongoing education of hospice care and services, through workshops, in-services, and community programs.
• Record all training sessions and competencies to include the course content and attendance.
• Documents accurately and timely according to agency guidelines.
• Implements the Northern Illinois Hospice’s Continuing Education Units (CEU) program to provide hospice and palliative care education for CEU credit for nurses and social workers.
• Assist with communications with the public, i.e. newsletter articles and media interviews as requested.
• Attend community and organizational events and business functions as required to strengthen partnerships and to promote Northern Illinois Hospice’s professional education and community engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently.
• Exhibit the ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced ever-changing environment.
• Maintain professionalism when dealing with conflict.
• Maintain a positive attitude in interactions with staff, coworkers, and the community.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, local, and agency regulatory guidelines and policies.
• Function as a resource to healthcare professionals and personal and professional caregivers to maintain quality of care and safety.
• Prepare reports for presentation to various departments as directed.
• Adhere to federal, state, local, regulatory, professional standards of nursing practice and agency guidelines and policies.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
• Attend agency functions, meetings, and mandatory in-services, as required.
• Implement Northern Illinois Hospice’s Standards, Mission, Vision, and Core Values to work practices.
• Adhere to infection control practices when performing job duties in accordance with CDC and OSHA regulations.
• Adhere to organizational policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintain personal and professional boundaries.
• Adhere to safety policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintain a professional appearance.
• Participate in other job duties as directed.

Job Skills and Qualifications:

Required

• Professional Registered Nurse (RN) License in Illinois.
• BSN
• At least 3 years of hospice and/or palliative nursing experience.
• Knowledge of guidelines governing hospice and palliative care.
• Experience interacting with a diverse community.
• Experience in public speaking and/or providing training on hospice and palliative care.
• Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Superior customer service skills.
• Self-directed and motivated with strong time management skills.
• Experience utilizing programs such as PowerPoint, Excel, and/or Microsoft.

Preferred

• Certification in Hospice and Palliative Nursing (CHPN) preferred.
• Current CPR certification

Expected Hours of Work

• Flexible; occasional after-hours attendance may be required.

JOB FACTORS

Physical Requirements:

This is primarily a sedentary role; while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mental Requirements:

Must be able to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available and act accordingly. Must be flexible, innovative, and possess good interpersonal skills. Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress and demonstrate emotional stability.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax machines and filing cabinets. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Transportation:

Must have a current valid driver’s license, auto liability insurance, and reliable

transportation.

OSHA:

This position performs tasks that may involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue. Employees are offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B Vaccination series.

I understand and accept the requirements of this position.

I understand and agree to abide by the Northern Illinois Hospice’s Code of Conduct and the following:

• Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• Patient Rights and Responsibilities
• Infection Control Policies and Procedures
• Dress Code