Clinical Nurse Specialist- Atrium Health Lincoln FT

Overview

Atrium Health Lincoln is a 101-bed hospital, designed with the community in mind.  The facility opened in 2010, replacing a family farm.  History from this farm can be seen and found on our campus today.  300,000 reclaimed bricks from a local mill, Belding-Hausman Mill, were placed into the exterior of the hospital and represent our dedication to the community we serve.  The campus also has a 1.2-mile public walking trail that encircles the campus, winding past ponds and through natural wooded areas left intact on the land.  The campus also includes two medical office buildings that house many providers offices and services that serve our community.  

Lincolnton is a small town, located in the foothills of the NC Mountains with access to hundreds of trails for hiking and outdoor activities.  This peaceful, rural town has much to offer families and those seeking a charming close-knit community, while also being within driving distance to the bustling city of Charlotte, NC, and the thriving community of Lake Norman.  

Job Summary

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice nurse who influences patient care outcomes through three spheres of impact: patient and family, nurses and nursing practice, and organizations & systems. Within the patient sphere, the CNS provides and supports safe, evidenced based and culturally sensitive care. Within the nursing sphere, the CNS leads the advancement of nursing practice to drive nursing excellence and promote a positive practice environment. Within the organizational sphere, the CNS designs initiatives that improve outcomes, optimize resources and drive system strategic goals.

Core Elements of CNS Practice:

• Promotes patient safety and quality outcomes through clinical inquiry and clinical judgment.
• Demonstrates specialty/advanced practice clinical expertise in caring for diverse patient populations.
• Optimizes resource utilization and coordination of care throughout the patient encounter and across the continuum.
• Supports and designs processes for patients and families to safely navigate a complex health care system.
• Creates and translates best evidence into clinical practice.
• Supports a just culture by identifying the root causes of issues to differentiate among failures in the system, educational needs, and/or compliance issues.
• Collaborates to facilitate interprofessional safe practice through shared decision making.
• Fosters an inclusive and respectful workplace culture through authentic leadership and intentional communication.
• Diagnoses and manages patients' acute and chronic health problems within an advanced practice nursing framework.
• Collaborates with senior executive leaders to design and support the nursing strategic plan.
• Aligns CNS led initiatives with the organization’s strategic plan, mission, and vision.
• Advocates for equitable healthcare by designing and employing initiatives that consider individual preferences and social determinants of health.

Essential Functions

• Conducts comprehensive, holistic wellness to illness assessments using evidence- base techniques and tools.
• Synthesizes assessment data, advanced knowledge, and experience, using critical thinking and clinical judgment to formulate differential diagnoses for clinical problems amendable to CNS intervention.
• Designs initiatives to meet the multifaceted needs of complex patients that integrate health equity strategies to eliminate disparities.
• Develops evidence-based clinical interventions and systems to achieve defined patient and system outcomes.
• Provides CNS consultation to staff nurses, medical staff and interdisciplinary colleagues.
• Provides leadership for collaborative, evidence-based revision of diagnoses and plans of care to improve patient outcomes.
• Directs/provides care to select patients based on need and the CNS’s expertise.
• Leads and participates in activities such as interprofessional rounds.
• Identifies potential risks to patient safety, autonomy, and quality of care.
• Intervenes to prevent and/or minimize iatrogenesis and ensure patient safety.
• Develops interventions that promote patient, family, and community safety.
• Identifies gaps in translation of evidence into practice by participating in CCAs & RCAs.
• Supports the development of innovative, cost-effective programs/ protocols.
• Facilitates clinically competent care through education, role modeling, teambuilding, and quality monitoring.
• Communicates effectively with nursing staff to best meet patients’ needs.
• Participates in pre-professional, graduate and continuing education of nurses to include:
  • Conducts needs assessments as appropriate
  • Implementation of staff development and continuing education activities
  • Mentoring of nurses to translate research into practice
• Facilitates development of critical thinking in health care team members.
• Leads and participates in interprofessional teams examining data and trends to identify system opportunities as well as gaps/barriers due to both internal and external factors.
• Conducts cost/benefit and cost avoidance analysis of programs, processes, and technologies.

• Participates with interprofessional teams in conducting and implementing research/clinical inquiry.
• Analyzes research findings and other evidence for application to clinical practice.
• Participates in development, implementation, and monitoring of system-level strategies and objectives in collaboration with executive leaders.
• Demonstrates expertise through dissemination of CNS work via presentations or publications.

Physical Requirements

Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, stopping, bending, pushing and pulling. Working in fast-paced clinical setting. Must be able to lift and support the weight of 35 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies. Must speak and understand English fluently and have an intact sense of sight, hearing, smell, and finger dexterity. Critical thinking and ability to concentrate. Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patients and/or program conditions.

Education, Experience and Certifications

Master’s Degree in Nursing in the CNS track required; Current license to practice as a RN in the state of NC. CNS certification from a national credentialing body approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) required; if no CNS certification available in the specialty, must meet requirements determined by the NCBON to be recognized as a CNS. Recognition as a CNS must be maintained in accordance with the requirements of NCBON. Appropriate practice area certification strongly recommended within 1 year of eligibility for certification exam.