Clinical Practice Specialist Pulmonary Unit

The Clinical Practice Specialist is a leader in advancing practice and excellence, both within the nursing or behavioral health profession and within the context of collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, to improve patient outcomes and systems of care. The position improves practice and patient outcomes across the care continuum through implementation of evidence-based care, consultation, research, education and establishing organizational standards.

The Level 9 Inpatient Medical Unit is a dynamic 32 bed medical unit serving primarily pulmonary patient populations from birth to early adulthood. Clinically, we specialize in the areas of chronic ventilation, tracheostomy, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension and airway management, while also caring for patients with a variety of other medical diagnoses.

Shift: This is a full-time benefit eligible position (40 hours per week) with a schedule of Monday-Friday, 8 hours per day. There is an expectation for an occasional presence on the nightshift to check-in with these team members. More to be discussed at time of interview.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Evidence Based Practice and Research
  • Designs and implements evidence-based, cost-sensitive interventions, including advancing nursing therapies or behavioral health care and the provision of direct care, while advocating for the empowerment of patients and families as members of the healthcare team.
  • Uses and promotes evidence-based knowledge as a foundation in policies and procedures for nursing or behavioral health practice to achieve optimal patient outcomes
  • Provides leadership and mentorship for the interprofessional team in identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices and research opportunities
  • Participates in or conducts research across the patient, nurse and system spheres of influence
  • Designs health education strategies and resources appropriate to the patient, caregiver and/or family's developmental level, health literacy level, learning needs, readiness to learn, and personal preferences in collaboration with Clinical Education Specialist, as applicable.
  • Provides expert consultation, education, and coaching for patients/populations with complex health care needs using a broad range of theories and evidence
  • Delivers direct patient care consistent with education, license, documented competencies, and/or medical staff privileges when needed.
  • Evaluates impact of interventions on patient/population outcomes using a scientific approach
  • Partners with research-focused, doctoral-prepared (i.e., PhD) colleagues to translate, conduct, and disseminate research that addresses gaps and improves clinical knowledge and practice.

  • Disseminates work through publications and presentations.

• Quality Improvement

  • Assesses the nursing or behavioral health practice environment for improvement opportunities
    • Integrates patient safety principles into current and future practice
    • Collaborates with staff to identify adverse events and near-miss occurrences
    • Oversees, participates and / or collaborates in initiatives related to creating a non-punitive environment/blame resistant culture for medical error reporting
    • Identifies and resolves patient safety issues identified through variance reporting or other methods
    • Supports a recognition program aimed at improving the culture of patient safety
  • Leads and mentors team members in the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating change considering intended and unintended consequences
  • Evaluates the outcomes of nursing practice or behavioral health treatment using methods that provide valid data.
  • Leads and participates in systematic quality and safety initiatives based on precise problem/etiology identification, gap analysis, and process evaluation. Demonstrates stewardship of human and fiscal resources in decision-making.
• Systems Leadership
  • Uses leadership, team building, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to collaborate and build partnerships within and across systems, including communities
    • Functions as a cultural change agent to support organizational priorities
    • Facilitate process and system improvements that support the reduction of actual or near miss events by communicating safety related information through appropriate forums
  • Consults with healthcare team members to develop population specific programs which integrate the needs, preferences, and strengths of the patient and family into the healthcare plan to optimize health outcomes
  • Advocates nursing or behavioral health's unique contributions toward advancing health to stakeholders (the organization, the community and the public at large)
  • Contributes to and advances the knowledge base of the healthcare community though presentations, publications and leadership in professional organizations
  • Facilitates and collaborates in opportunities for clinical nurses, students, and others to acquire new knowledge and skills. Foster professional development while engaging nurses in reflective practice and solicitation of peer feedback
  • Participates in product evaluation process for both existing and proposed equipment and supplies within specialty.
  • Analyzes legislative, regulatory, and fiscal policies as they impact nursing practice and patient population outcomes.
  • Advocates for equitable healthcare by participating in professional organizations and public policy activities.
  • Provides expert specialty consultation to nurses related to complex patient care needs
  • Advocates for nurses' right to practice to the full extent of their role in the delivery of health care
  • Facilitates critical reasoning skills in staff through role modeling, teaching, coaching and/or mentoring related to population specific or nursing practice questions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degrees

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is required

• Experience
  • 5 years clinical and pediatric experience is required
• Equivalency
  • Not Applicable
• Licenses & Certifications
  • Advanced Life Support (ACLS, PALS) AND/OR other Certification(s) for specific roles may be required within 6 months of hire
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association is required
  • Current Colorado Registered Nurse (RN) license or RN license from multistate compact
• Additional Requirements
  • ANCC or Magnet approved clinical specialty or quality/safety focus certification required.
  • Membership in a professional nursing, behavioral health or health care organization is required
• Competency
  • None

Salary Information
Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience.

Annual Salary Range (Based on 40 hours worked per week): $105,046.99 to $157,570.49

Benefits Information
Here, you matter. As a Children's Hospital Colorado team member, you will receive a competitive pay and benefits package designed to take care of your needs that includes base pay, incentives, paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, company provided life and disability insurance, paid parental leave, 403b employer match (retirement savings), a robust wellness program, and access to professional development tools, including an education benefit to help you advance your career.

As part of our Total Rewards package, Children's Colorado offers an annual employee bonus program that rewards eligible team members based on organizational performance. If organizational goals are met for the year, the bonus is paid out the following April.

Children's Colorado delivers annual base pay increases to eligible team members based on their performance over the previous year.

EEO Statement
It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Be aware that none of the questions are intended to imply illegal preferences or discrimination based on non-job-related information. The position is expected to stay open until the posted close date. Please submit your application as soon as possible as the posting is subject to close at any time once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.

Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.