Professional Development Specialist

Clinical Expertise

• Demonstrates expertise in areas of oncology clinical practice, by participating in patient care to identify opportunities for improvement, assess staff performance, and facilitate implementation of new practices.
• Supports nurses in the management of symptom distress related to cancer and/or its treatment based on advanced knowledge of the etiology of cancer, the rationale for treatment, patient and family responses and needs, and associated nursing interventions.
• Provides expertise in the assessment of patient and family learning needs, provision of educational strategies, and evaluation of the effects of teaching strategies for general and specified oncology patient populations.
• May provide direct patient care, consult with other nurses or clinical staff about specific patients, and make recommendations for interventions and plan of care.
• Collaborates and consults with nurses and others to influence nursing practices and improve care outcomes within a specific unit or service and/or across Nursing and Patient Care Services (NPCS)

Education

• Demonstrates leadership skills through the coordination of education, training, and competency assessment activities within the clinical coverage area.
• Participates in local and national professional activities and organizations to promote the educational and professional growth of self and others within DFCI and the community.
• Designs competency models in collaboration with content experts.
• Develops and analyzes the Learning Needs Assessment for the department and clinical areas.
• Monitors compliance related to mandatory staff education.
• Educates staff on policies and procedures, supporting practice changes based on evidence-based guidelines.
• Designs and implements curriculum, educational programs and workshops to support the ongoing professional development of nursing staff, utilizing a variety of educational methods, including simulation.
• Serves as a nurse planner for ANCC Accredited Provider Unit.
• Supports unit leadership with the coordination and evaluation of unit-based orientation for new employees.
• Collaborates with the Nurse Director to design orientation schedules, select preceptors, conduct weekly check-ins, and ensure completion of orientation records.
• Coordinates nursing student placements in collaboration with the Nurse Director and maintains communication with the Center for Clinical and Professional Development on student performance.

Evidence-based Practice

• Maintains expertise in the ADNP practice model, competency models, and simulation standards of practice.
• Educates staff on policies and procedures, supporting practice changes based on evidence-based guidelines.

Leadership

• Contributes to the creation of an environment that stimulates continuous self-learning, positive group processes, reflective practice, and the empowerment of others.
• Models constructive and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues.
• Fosters an environment that is sensitive to the needs of diverse populations, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, gender, and age.
• Participates in goal-defining processes and systems changes to promote best practices
• Functions as a change agent, to implement, evaluate, and promote nursing care and systems that are safe, cost-effective and evidence based.
• Partners with leaders in clinical areas to establish goals and then develop, implement, and evaluate strategies consistent with institutional and departmental goals
• Participates in activities that promote professional growth and development.

Mentoring

• Works collaboratively with other departments and disciplines on projects, initiatives, and programs to meet the goals of DFCI and promotes excellence in care delivery and outcomes.
• Is a clinical resource and consultant to all DFCI nursing community regarding clinical policies, standards, and guidelines of care.

Quality / Safety / Regulatory Compliance

• Assesses quality of care and patient outcomes.
• Disseminates work related to research, EBP, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain knowledge of regulatory agencies and conduct audits as needed.
• Provides support for curriculum development related to safety events.
• Reviews Institutional Quality Initiatives/Measures and helps support the unit in improvement initiatives and best practice modeling.