At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

1.0FTE

Exempt

The  Professional Development Specialist  reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The  Professional Development Specialist designs, implements and evaluates clinical/non-clinical orientation programs and continuous learning opportunities for all classifications of caregivers in assigned unit/division in partnership with unit leadership team. Utilizes a data driven approach to conduct house wide and unit-specific required training to close performance gaps. Maintains visibility for just in time learning facilitation in clinical areas. Adheres to ANA Scope and Standards of practice for Nursing Professional Development.

Responsibilities:

• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
• Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
• Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.
• Collects pertinent information related to potential education needs of unit/department they support utilizing a variety of appropriate assessment techniques.
• Analyzes assessment data to determine the target audience and learner needs.
• Identifies the purpose,objectives and expected outcome for each learning activity.
• Collaborates with content experts and unit leadership to develop activities to facilitate learners' achievement of educational objectives.
• Implements evidence-based educational activities that are varied, interactive, and designed to meet the needs of the adult learner.
• Conducts a comprehensive criterion-based evaluation of each educational activity including impact of learning on patient care practice.
• Provides educational consultation at the unit and organizational level through participation in committees, councils and administrative teams.
• This includes but is not limited to systematic evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of clinical practice,use of theoretical frameworks, strategies and methodologies to promote behavior change, promotion of positive learning and practice environments, facilitation skills, assessment of knowledge versus performance gaps.
• Demonstrates optimal use of learning management system and other tools/resources used to document professional development activities including but not limited to contact hour programs, competency assessment, and orientation activities.
• Evaluates his/her own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards, relevant regulatory requirements, and maintenance of continuing professional competence.
• Acquires and maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing professional development by collaborating at the institutional, local, regional, state, national or international levels.
• Interacts with and contributes to the professional development of peers and other health care providers as colleagues.
• Demonstrates actions and decisions that are based on ethical principles and support learner diversity.
• Supports, conducts, disseminates and uses research and evidenced-based practice to identify strategies for improving nursing practice and patient outcomes.
• Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in delivering and managing staff development activities.
• Actively participates in the orientation of new unit staff including weekly collaboration with orientee, preceptors, and manager to assess progress and develop goals/plans.
• Maintains daily unit visibility and communicates efficiently and effectively using critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Participates in assurance of constant regulatory readiness on units/departments served.
• Continuously seeks feedback from unit/department partners to assure customer needs are being met.
• Partners with Advanced Practice Partner/CNS to develop, implement and evaluate specialty certification programs.
• Oversees unit/division competency assessment process (orientation, annual and advanced).
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required:

• At least 5 years in clinical specialty
• BSN required
• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in Nursing or Education and able to complete within 3 years of hire
• Cert BLS
• Licensed RN in State of Illinois

Preferred:

• Certified PDRN
  
   

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information   

NorthwesternMedicine Career Page

https://jobs.nm.org/benefits

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. 

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.