Registered Nurse (RN) Clinical Mentor/Lead Preceptor

Job Summary

• Acts as lead preceptor responsible for guiding the field training experience for newly hired clinicians. Mentors new hires throughout the first year of employment with the goal of improving clinical associate engagement and retention. Offers guidance and education to current field staff in clinical decision making. Performs patient care and case management duties as needed in the field, especially expertise in managing chronic care patients. Provides clinical leadership/resources to field staff, under the supervision of the Vice President of Patient Experience in collaboration with the RN Clinical Training Specialist and Operation Directors from his/her assigned teams.

• Education/Training
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from accredited program or combination of education with 3 years relevant nursing experience including 1 year experience in a certified home care agency or hospice; or promotion from VNA Clinical Lead position.
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• Experience
  • 3 years relevant nursing experience with Associate’s degree, or 2 years relevant nursing experience with Bachelor’s degree; 1 year experience in a certified home care or hospice program. Prior preceptor experience preferred.
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• License/Certification/Registration
  • Valid RN license in all jurisdictions in which the employee provides services to patients, Maryland, DC or Virginia. CPR certification required. Valid driver’s license in good standing and dependable vehicle for transportation.
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• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to teach, direct and guide professionals to gain desired results. Demonstrated ability to function at a high level of independence and autonomy. Strong leadership and delegation skills required. The ideal candidate will have a passion for teaching and excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication. IV therapy, Foley catheter, venipuncture, wound care/vac, and comprehensive medical-surgical skills. Organizational skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Basic computer skills required. Knowledge of home equipment/DME, home care reimbursement, and regulations governing LPN’s and HHA’s.

• Contributes to the achievement of established goals and objectives established from Medstarmanagement team. Adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Completes annual Code of Conduct, Compliance and other mandatory training. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• Serves as lead preceptor responsible for overseeing the field training experience for newly hired nurses and home health aides. Collaborates with and guides field trainers/preceptors to provide new hire’s the learning experiences they need to meet clinical competency requirements.
• Collaborates with the clinical training specialist and Operations Director to develop an individualized clinical orientation program for new staff. Updates the program as needed to meet learning needs.
• Provides weekly case conference to orienteesduring introductory period (90 days) and defined retention period (first 12 months).Provides feedback to new associates, doing peer-to-peer reviews and being available as a clinical resource when needed.
• Serves as field educator in the discipline, providing feedback and suggestions to implement best practices and standardize procedures.
• Maintains a caseload of patients and meeting the expectation of care described in the corresponding clinical job description. Performs admissions, revisits, recerts, discharge and joint visits to ensure quality patient care delivery and excellence in patient experience.
• Collaborates with the Operations Director and RN clinical training specialists in building a caseload for the new staff and facilitates their transition from orienteeto functional member of the team.
• Acts as field mentor to clinical staff and provides Operations Director and/or RN clinical training specialist with input regarding team members' work performance. Recommends and provides additional education based on clinical skill needs or problems identified through the QA process or at the request of the staff member or Operations Director and/or RN clinical training specialist.
• Conducts chart reviews during newly hired associates’ first year and assures that admissions, recerts, and discharges in the patient documentation are accurate and that proper utilization and clinical needs are being achieved.
• Performs Joint Visits and participates in mock surveys as directed.
• Assists with patient complaint resolution. Communicates with patients, care givers, and interdisciplinary staff to resolve actual or potential issues with the patient.
• Maintains effective working relationships with other departments. Participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams, meetings and on committees representing the department and agency in community outreach efforts. Enhances growth and development and enriches personal knowledge and skill through participation in educational programs and affiliations.
• Responsible for clinical outcomes and utilization management.
• Serves as Clinical resource / triage nurse to patient, caregiver, physician.
• Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts. Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.
• Performs otherdutiesas assigned.