Clinical Educator - Nursing Oncology & Endoscopy (Therapeutic Endoscopy)

Reporting to the Senior Clinical Program Director Oncology and Endoscopy Program, the Clinical Educator - Nursing for Inpatient Hematology/Oncology, Chemotherapy Clinic, Infusion Centre and Specialty Clinics serves as a role model and leader to support nursing care that optimizes patient outcomes and experiences while enhancing the safety, efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of patient care by:

• Planning, implementing and evaluating education for nursing and the inter-professional team that aligns with UHT/program policies.
• Being a change agent and role model that advocates for and creates learning/education environments that enhance clinical and professional practice and life-long learning.
• Working with other nurse leaders to support the development of nursing staff including participation in nursing and corporate education and other initiatives.
• Collaborating with inter-professional teams and external partners to influence and advance best practices in education and evidence-based nursing practice.

Responsibilities:

The primary role of the Clinical Educator - Nursing is to facilitate a learning environment where evidence-based knowledge is translated via education to optimize the patients’ outcomes and experiences. This includes developing educational plans and activities aimed at improving nursing/clinical knowledge, skills, and competencies and, in collaboration with others, supporting the ongoing professional development of unit/program staff.

The Clinical Nurse Educator has 3 main areas of responsibility:

Education:

• Ensure staff complete training required for OHCCO standards e.g. chemotherapy certification.
• Education and staff development, particularly in relation to nurses and their support staff.
• Support of all staff on the unit for education, quality initiatives, and professional development.
• Assess learning needs of unit staff.
• Design and deliver education that is tailored to specific needs of unit/program.
• Incorporate evidence, best practices, and relevant research findings.
• Incorporate inter-professional core competencies where applicable.
• Incorporate best practices in education.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of education, revise education and learning activities to support changes.
• Provide timely feedback to nursing staff on their learning and application to their practice competence.
• Demonstrate Professional Standards and guidelines.
• Support development of Quality Improvement Initiatives.

Consultation/Collaboration:

• Collaborate and participate with Professional Practice to identify and support Corporate nursing practice initiatives.
• Engage members of the intra and interdisciplinary team, management team, Professional Practice, and across hospital departments in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating Corporate and other educational initiatives.
• Participate in the hospital’s network of Clinical Educators and work with other Clinical Educator colleagues.
• Collaborate with the hospital’s Student Centre, Patient Care Managers/Clinical Leader Managers to facilitate nursing and other student placements.
• Collaborate with Patient Care Managers in interviewing, hiring and contributing to the evaluation of unit staff.
• Participate in hospital and corporate committees and other groups to represent the Educator perspective and serve as a bridge to the unit/program and Clinical Educator - Nursing Network by disseminating committee information and decisions.

Research and Quality Improvement:

• Participate in research projects that contribute to nursing and/or interprofessional practice and education pertaining to their unit/program and the Corporation.
• Support and participate in the implementation of evidence-based practice (best practice guidelines and other forms of evidence) and quality improvement initiatives on unit/in programs including Corporate initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Registered in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario in the General Class.
• Master’s degree in nursing or education, required or currently enrolled with anticipated completion in two (2) years.
• CNA certification in a related specialty area an asset.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of recent clinical experience in Hematology/Oncology including demonstrated knowledge of current best practices.
• Standardized Provincial Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Administration Certification is an asset.
• Knowledge of Cancer Care Ontario’s strategic directions is an asset.
• Completion of a Basic Cardiac Life Support (B.C.L.S.) program, Level II: Basic Rescuer certification, required. ACLS certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively with nurses and interprofessional teams to improve patient care and outcomes, required.
• Demonstrated leadership in committee work, education, quality improvement, and knowledge translation initiatives.
• Demonstrated competence in the design, delivery, and evaluation of innovative educational programs for staff in a health care environment.
• Demonstrated competence in adult education.
• A track record of ensuring evidence-based research, and evolving recognized standards are used to guide practice changes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a system to validate learning, and ensure that practice changes are measured, sustained, and improve outcomes.
• Strong commitment to life-long learning and professional development.
• Strong leadership and communication skills (writing, active listening, conflict resolution, ability to inspire others, delegation, mentoring, coaching, goal setting etc.), required.
• Demonstrated ability in applying quality improvement principles to enhance practice.
• Proven strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office computer software applications.
• Membership in a relevant professional organization (i.e. RNAO) is an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Unity Health Toronto.
• Excellent attendance record.