As an RN Educator, you will design, organize, implement, and evaluate evidence-based educational programs, orientations, and continuing education.
Every day you will facilitate the professional growth, skill development, and competency of staff, ensuring these programs primarily support the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategic goals. Your work will directly contribute to ensuring quality, safety, and service in patient and family-centered care.
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate strong instructional design capabilities, expert clinical knowledge, and the ability to effectively engage and develop healthcare professionals, ultimately enhancing the standards of patient care.
- ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION:
Assesses educational needs through various formal and informal methods, in close consultation with the Perioperative Management teams and staff, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities and challenges. Conducts evaluations of all projects and initiatives for desired outcomes, sharing findings and proposing revisions to the Perioperative facility leadership teams. Revises future work goals, methods and processes to support evidence-based practice and quality care in collaboration with market leaders. Ensures educational activities are congruent with nursing strategies, goals, values and vision and are tailored to meet the specific needs and operational mandates of the perioperative departments and facility leadership.
- Annually conducts educational needs assessment using a variety of methods, presenting findings and proposed educational plans to the Perioperative leadership team for feedback and approval.
- Evaluates educational projects based on system needs and agreed upon outcome criteria. Regularly communicates progress and outcomes to the Perioperative leadership team and reports broader outcomes to the Market Chief Nurses.
- Perioperative Department Safety & Quality Improvement:
Collaborate with the market leaders of Perioperative Services to ensure 100% implementation of all perioperative safety initiatives, and other identified patient safety projects.
Report timely status on perioperative safety initiatives to the Chief nurses, Directors of Emergency Services, Patient Safety, and Clinical Risk Management leadership.
Review data and processes to evaluate compliance with perioperative safety initiatives, regulatory requirements, and hospital policies.
Support the market in the roll-out of perioperative safety projects and goals, reporting results and providing necessary training.
Develop, implement, and facilitate learning opportunities and drills for the perioperative departments, including topics such as Mock Codes, disaster preparedness, and critical incident simulations. - Clinical Education & Staff Development:
Conduct ongoing needs assessments to identify educational gaps and priorities based on Periop organizational and departmental goals, patient outcomes, and new evidence-based practices.
Develop, organize, and deliver a comprehensive Perioperative education program with measurable objectives and competencies, utilizing a variety of teaching methods and adult learning principles (e.g., lectures, simulations, hands-on labs, online modules).
Serve as an instructor and facilitator for new hire orientation, ongoing in-services, specialty training (e.g., trauma, cardiac, stroke, sepsis), and continuing education for all Periop staff.
Perform skill validation activities for high-risk procedures and competencies (e.g., airway management, medication administration, resuscitation).
Coordinate and assess the transfer of learning to the workplace, ensuring that education translates into improved clinical practice and patient outcomes.
Role model expert clinical nursing practice, demonstrating patient advocacy, ethical conduct, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Maintain clinical knowledge of up to date evidence-based practices and serve as a resource for complex patient scenarios.
Collaborate with staff, the Perioperative leadership, Chief Nursing Officers, and the Region Director of Education in assessing, establishing priorities, and identifying realistic outcomes for the professional development of perioperative staff, ensuring a patient centered focus.
Support hospital-wide educator initiatives by providing expertise and assistance to other departments (e.g., Critical Care, Medical-Surgical). - Program Design & Evaluation:
Define expected outcomes and quality indicators for all educational programs and interventions.
Select appropriate instructional media and materials to enhance learning.
Develop and/or formulate evaluation methods and tools to assess the effectiveness of educational programs, including knowledge, skill, and behavioral changes.
Gather and analyze program data and make appropriate revisions to educational content and delivery.
Participate in the development and implementation of performance improvement (PI) projects specific to Periop, including data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings.
Assist Perioperative Leadership in analyzing existing systems, processes, and products to identify issues affecting efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Integrate current research findings and evidence-based practice into Perioperative clinical practice and educational programs.
Participate in evaluating and implementing new products and equipment specific to Perioperative departments, including coordinating vendor in-services and evaluating their effectiveness. - Professionalism & Collaboration:
Demonstrate a strong understanding of organizational culture, mission, and goals.
Actively influence and support organizational change within the Perioperative department.
Provide education consultation and serve as an education resource for Periop staff, leadership, and other hospital departments.
Maintain active membership in relevant committees (e.g., Periop specific committees, system education councils, etc.)
Participate in interdisciplinary conferences and rounds, fostering collaboration and communication.
Consult with the healthcare team and be available to colleagues for clinical and educational consultations.
Collaborate with Perioperative Managers and Directors, CNO’s and the Director of Education in assessing learning needs and planning educational programs.
Align educational content/programs with the organizational strategic plan, yearly educational plan, goals, and objectives. - Perform other duties and special projects as requested by adhering to established guidelines and timeframes.
