Professional Development SpecialistThe Professional Development Specialist (PDS) is a self-directed, professional registered nurse with advanced knowledge and expertise specific to his/her clinical area. The PDS serves as an educator, change agent, researcher, servant leader role model and mentor. The PDS role is developed in relationship to responsibilities and specialty population of practice.
The PDS will be centrally based/department based and may have additional responsibilities within the department as the need arises.ResponsibilitiesFollows Standards of PracticeStandard 1: Assessment of Practice GapsThe nursing professional development specialist analyzes issues, trends and supporting data to determine the needs of individuals, organizations, and communities in relation to health care.Standard 2: Identification of Learning NeedsThe nursing professional development specialist collects data and information to validate an identified gap in professional practice and to determine the specific knowledge, skill, or practice deficit or opportunity.Standard 3: Outcomes IdentificationThe nursing professional development specialist identifies desired outcomes of the educational plan.Standard 4: PlanningThe nursing professional development specialist establishes a plan that prescribes strategies, alternatives, and resources to achieve expected outcomes.Standard 5: ImplementationThe nursing professional development specialist implements the identified plan.Standard 5a: CoordinationThe nursing professional development specialist coordinates educational initiatives and activities.Standard 5b: Facilitation of Positive Learning and Practice EnvironmentsThe nursing professional development specialist employs strategies to facilitate positive learning and practice environments.Standard 6: EvaluationThe nursing professional development specialist evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes.Standard 7: EthicsThe nursing professional development specialist integrates ethics in all areas of practice.Standard 8: EducationThe nursing professional development specialist maintains current knowledge and competency in nursing and professional development practice.Standard 9: Evidence-based Practice and ResearchThe nursing professional development specialist acts as a champion of scientific inquiry, generating new knowledge and integrating best available evidence into practice.Standard 10: Quality of Nursing Professional Development PracticeThe nursing professional development specialist systematically enhances the quality and effectiveness of nursing professional development practice.Standard 11: Change ManagementThe nursing professional development specialist acts as a change agent within all settings.Standard 12: LeadershipThe nursing professional development specialist provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.Standard 13: CollaborationThe nursing professional development specialist collaborates with interprofessional teams, leaders, stakeholders and others to facilitate nursing practice and positive outcomes for consumers.Standard 14: Professional Practice EvaluationThe nursing professional development specialist evaluates personal practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, and relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.Standard 15: Resource UtilizationThe nursing professional development specialist considers factors related to quality, safety, effectiveness and cost regarding professional development activities and expected outcomes.Standard 16: Mentorship/Advancing the ProfessionThe nursing professional development specialist advances the profession and the specialty through mentoring and contributions to the professional development of others.Duties and Responsibilities: Onboarding:AssessmentCommunicates with new employee before start date to make introductions, identify learning style, provides an overview of the orientation process and attempt to alleviate fears and apprehensions.DiagnosisCollaborates with the Clinical Manager when a new hire is finalized and hire date is established. There will be discussion regarding new employee's previous work history, clinical background and possible learning needs.Identification of Educational OutcomesPrepares a competency-based unit orientation for new hires based on objectives and needs of orientee.PlanningPrepares a clinical orientation schedule for each new employee based on the employee's previous work experience and clinical background.Collaborates with manager to identify a compatible preceptor and determine the anticipated length of orientation.ImplementationWorks closely with Orientation Team to ensure new employees have attended all classroom orientation before being oriented to the clinical department.Schedules and facilitates "class day" for a new employee that is scheduled on the unit to acclimate the new staff member to the physical environment, department standards, performance expectations, and requirements and competencies identified in the new employee's job description.Provides instruction to new employee on infection control, emergency equipment and typical equipment/products used in the department.Review importance of customer service.Provides new employee with a Clinical Performance Record.EvaluationHas daily conversations with preceptor regarding orientee's competency-based orientation plan. Follows up to ensure preceptor documents daily progress.Meets with orientee, preceptor and manager (if necessary) during the clinical orientation to discuss progress, set new goals, facilitate conflict resolution strategies and provide feedback.Evaluates and documents orientee's progress weekly.Provides input into the 90 day evaluation of all new employees.Encourages new hires to evaluate the orientation process and makes revision to orientation content based on this input.Duties and Responsibilities: On-Going Staff Education:AssessmentEvaluates the learning needs of the staff at least annually.DiagnosisMaintains current knowledge of nursing practice in the clinical setting.Keeps abreast of educational requirements for all job categories which pertain to clinical care.Identification of Educational OutcomesPrepares and/or coordinates staff education for new products, medications, equipment, services provided, performance improvement initiatives and/or regulatory requirementsPlanningRefers to professional literature and evidence-based practice when preparing educational materials.Maintains Basic Life Support Instructor certification and teaches BLS classes minimally four times in a two year period as deemed necessary.Collaborates with vendors, physicians, other nurses or professional staff to provide staff education.Updates content of Education Day annually in collaboration with other educators or unit council members as deemed appropriate per department.ImplementationEnsures that all staff is scheduled for and attend Education Day annually as deemed appropriate per department.Ensures that staff completes all required, mandatory education.Maintain educational files on all employees.EvaluationEvaluates staff satisfaction with educational programsEvaluates for improved clinical outcomes as appropriateDuties and Responsibilities: LeadershipDemonstrates leadership skills such as the ability to motivate, educate, delegate, and mentor peers and other members of the healthcare team while effectively managing the care of patients and family members.
Acts as a resource and educator for multidisciplinary team members and students, continuously evaluating and documenting competency.Duties and Responsibilities: Professional Development:Assumes responsibility and accountability for personal professional growth and development. Contributes to the professional development of peers, colleagues and others.Supports self and peer professional growth and development based on information received in periodic (at least annual) needs assessment.Provides on-going education for individuals in leadership positions such as charge nurse, council chairs or preceptors.Completes all educational requirements to maintain necessary population specific competencies. Submits required test and paperwork in a