NURSE EDUCATOR

Responsibilities

The Nursing Educator is responsible for assisting the DON/ADON in evaluating, reviewing, designing and implementing hospital training events with respect to all RN/LPN/MHT staff required training.
Also provides, on as-needed basis, patient nursing assessments.
Participates in Treatment Team meetings as needed.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Staff Education:

1. Regularly facilitates and/or conducts required training classes with all Nursing Services staff.
   
2. Works closely with the DON, ADON and Nursing Supervisors to review current education and training needs.
   
3. Recommends improvements to training programs as needed or as identified.
   
4. Provides on-going RN Nursing Education to staff on a variety of topics as directly relates to performance improvement initiatives, Joint Commission and other State or Federal Regulatory Agency standards/requirements.
   
5. Provides feedback to the Performance Improvement Committee, reporting staff education and recommendations for improvements.
   
6. Works in collaborative manner with the Infection Control Nurse to identify and assist in training as needed.
   
7. Researches current best practices among other institutions/facilities to ensure hospital is providing most recent and best practices with respect to staff education and training.
   
8. Meets with all new Nursing staff new employees to ensure a complete orientation to Nursing Services.
   

Nursing Responsibilities:

1. Assists as needed in the Care Center Department and/or Nursing Units, participating in screening patients for admission into hospital programs, utilizing pre-approved admissions criteria.
   
2. Provide assessments of incoming patient's mental health/psychiatric condition.
   
3. Prepare written reports of assessment results and prepares recommendations for the level of care and treatment needs.
   
4. Participates in Treatment Team meetings as needed.
   

Specific standards for the Care of Children Patients ages 5 through 11

1. Maintains knowledge of the child program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
   
2. Maintains knowledge of children stages of development and seeks guidance from the therapy staff and the nurse in charge.
   
3. Assesses patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.
   
4. Recognizes acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and sets appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the ages of patient.
   
5. Demonstrates an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
   
6. Relates to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.
   
7. Understands and uses seclusion & restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
   

Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients ages 12 through 18

1. Maintains knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
   
2. Assesses patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.
   
3. Recognizes acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and sets appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the ages of patient.
   
4. Demonstrates an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
   
5. Relates to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.
   
6. Uses seclusion & restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
   
7. Acts as a resource to other staff in regard to the adolescent patient programs.
   

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 18 through 64

1. Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
   
2. Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
   
3. Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors.
   
4. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
   
5. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.
   

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

1. Maintain a knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
   
2. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care.
   
3. Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
   
4. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patients functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
   
5. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.
   

Specific Standards for the Care of Chemically Dependent Patients

1. Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
   
2. Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
   
3. Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating the co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships.
   
4. Recognize and establish limits on medication-seeking behaviors.
   

Education:
Graduate from an accredited program in nursing.
Master's Level preferred.

Experience:
A minimum of one (1) years direct clinical experience preferred in a psychiatric or mental health setting, with direct experience in staff education, nursing practices, patient assessments, education concepts, practices and procedures.

Licensure:
Registered Nurse or LPN in the state of Ohio.

Additional Requirements:
Complete knowledge of crisis intervention techniques, restraint and seclusion, and ability to prepare and present training events as directed for Nursing Services.
Completion of training in CPI/Verbal De-Escalation and CPR within 30 days of employment.
May be required to work occasional weekends and/or other hours; conduct weekend training as needed.