The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse with graduate (Masters or Doctorate) education and training in advanced physiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment, in addition to a particular area of specialty. The CNS may diagnose, treat, and prescribe, dispense, and/or administer medications, TPN, and blood products within the APP-CNS's scope of practice, and consistent with the APP-CNS's skill, training, competence, professional judgment and policies of UVA Health. The CNS helps integrate evidenced-based care across UVA Health through three spheres of impact: Clinical Practice, Nursing/Nursing Teams, and System. A key focus of CNS practice is to apply advanced clinical knowledge through direct care, act as a clinical expert for specific clinical populations, support nursing and interprofessional staff in the review, synthesis, and implementation of evidence-based practice by serving as an educator, mentor and consultant. The CNS, in collaboration with interprofessional leaders within the care continuum, identifies opportunities for improvement in patient outcomes, clinical competency of the interprofessional team as well as organization outcomes. Through providing direct patient care services as part of a healthcare team, the CNS translates advanced clinical expertise, expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies to impact the care of patients, families, and populations.

Expert Caring/Clinical Practice:

The CNS provides clinical care to complex patients within specialty populations, including direct interventions with patients and families, coordination of complex care needs, and coaches the nursing and interprofessional team in providing evidence-based interventions as part of patient-centered care.

• Evaluates and provides care, treatment, and consultation for patients with unique or complex health concerns within specialty scope of practice, utilizing advanced assessment skills

• Develops treatment plans and provides education/coaching to patients and families with complex needs

• Performs designated procedures after demonstrated competency and approval through UVA Health Clinical Staff credentialing and privileging

• Prescribes and recommends pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions within the APP CNS’s scope of practice, and consistent with the APP CNSs skill, training, competence, professional judgment and policies of UVA Health

• Uses advanced communication skills to facilitate collaboration among patient, family, and clinicians to address complex care needs and promote ethical decision-making

• In collaboration with patients/families and interprofessional team, leads and facilitates coordinated care for individuals and populations to improve and promote health care outcomes

• Acts as a clinical resource and mentor, utilizing both formal and informal opportunities for the education and coaching of nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team

• Partners with interprofessional clinical leadership to evaluate nursing and patient outcomes, contributing to establishment of strategic plans to optimize outcomes

• Works with diverse population as an advocate for a patient’s unique preference

Nursing/Nursing Practice:

The CNS engages frontline clinical teams to help achieve optimal patient outcomes. The CNS collaborates with Unit Based, Service Line, and/or Department Leadership, and other interprofessional team members to promote evidence-based nursing practice models, shared governance structure and organizational framework.

• The CNS upholds the highest personal and professional standards with adherence to the principles and goals of the Health System’s core ASPIRE values: Accountability, Stewardship, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect and Equity

• Conducts clinical consultation, including coaching with bedside nurses, regarding performance of complex patient care interventions

• Designs evidence-based, cost-effective interventions, including advanced nursing therapies, to meet the multifaceted needs of complex patients

• Provides leadership interprofessional and nursing teams in identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices and research opportunities

• Facilitates education to nurses, students and the interprofessional team to garner greater competency and professional growth

• Promotes a healthy work environment through expert communication, facilitation skills and conveying mutual trust and respect to others on the healthcare team

• Participates in, supports, and leads quality improvement initiatives to advance patient care delivery and improve outcomes through best practice implementation

• Evaluates the implications of access, quality, safety, and cost on the delivery of healthcare

• Collects and analyzes patient data to document the impact of nursing practice on outcomes, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness

• Mentors and engages nurses and the clinical team as a role model encouraging their own professional development and competency

Health System:

The CNS helps to advance the practice of nursing and clinical care through improvement of quality, safety and service in collaboration with interprofessional teams. The CNS actively helps to advance both the Nursing Strategic Plan and UVA Health Strategic plan through engagement in Health System committees and structures, Shared Governance and Unit Based Committees. The CNS’s advanced assessment, diagnostic, and collaboration skills coupled with advanced knowledge of systems, safety, research, and quality allow the CNS to facilitate projects and policy changes, and enhance patient outcomes as they transition across care settings.

The CNS is an empowered leader who:

• Demonstrates leadership in the development, mentorship, and empowerment of others within the healthcare community

• Promotes the professional practice of the Advanced Practice Provider through responsible interfaces with the public and health care community

• Pursues opportunities for active engagement in research, research implementation, and analysis of evidence-based practice

• Mentors nurses and nursing staff to analyze research findings that affect nursing practice and patient outcomes

• Disseminates specialty knowledge through outreach to the public and the Advanced Practice Provider community at local, state, and/or national forums

• Evaluates system strategies and outcomes

• Contributes to the dissemination of CNS practice outcomes to both internal and external stakeholders

• Adheres to Virginia Board of Nursing and/or Medicine, national certifying organizations, and institutional continuing education requirements necessary to maintain professional licensure, DEA registration (as applicable), and Advanced Practice certification and practice agreements (as applicable)

• Advocates for equitable healthcare by active participation in professional organizations and public policy initiatives

• Actively pursues own professional growth and development via opportunities at local, regional and national level

Success Factors:

• Demonstrates actualization of three spheres of CNS impact with agility as measured by APP Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations and supervisory feedback

• Actively engaged in the sharing of clinical expertise as evidenced by patient outcomes, employee engagement survey

• Willingness to embrace and lead change when change is necessary, and ability to effectively communicate and work with staff and management

• Ability to work and lead collaboratively within teams

• Customer Service and Community Engagement

• Excellent organizational, analytical, verbal and written communication skills

• Exceptional patient care and service skills

• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned

Position Compensation Range: $87,755.20 - $140,400.00 Annual

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Master’s Degree as an Advance Practice Provider (Clinical Nurse Specialist)

Experience: None

Certification: Advanced Practice CNS Certification (ANCC or AACN) in respective specialty population (Adult-Gero, Neonatal, Pediatric)

Licensure: License or license eligible as an Advance Practice Provider (Clinical Nurse Specialist) as set forth by the state of Virginia. Must demonstrate and maintain all applicable credentialing and licensing requirements of the UVA Medical Center, Virginia Board of Nursing, and appropriate certifying bodies.

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required.

Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS/NRP), as required specific to position. Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), as required specific to position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently traveling/bending/stooping. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20 - 50lbs. May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease. Position requires physical capabilities that may include lifting, prolonged standing and walking. Some travel may be required as related to specific responsibilities.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.