CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

A Clinical Nurse Educator owns something no charge nurse or staff development coordinator does: the formal architecture of how clinical knowledge moves from evidence into bedside practice. Every nurse hired, every competency gap surfaced, and every regulatory audit of training records passes through this role's hands. In acute care facilities governed by National Patient Safety Standards and NPD Practitioner credentialing frameworks, that accountability is substantial. The role demands equal fluency in curriculum design and clinical judgment.

As the Clinical Nurse Educator, you design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based education programs that sustain nursing competency and support safe patient outcomes across an acute care facility. Scope spans new hire orientation through annual competency validation, with direct collaboration with the Director of Nursing and interdisciplinary leadership teams.

Career Impact: Earning NPD Practitioner certification through this role signals advanced specialty standing that distinguishes nurses who move into system-level education or nursing leadership from those who remain in staff roles.

Business Impact: When orientation programs fail, new nurse turnover rises and patient safety metrics decline - this role is the structural answer to both, owning the programs that determine how quickly and safely new clinical staff reach independent practice.

Growth Opportunity: Consistent exposure to Kirkpatrick evaluation methodology, interprofessional collaboration, and regulatory alignment builds the competency profile that leads to Clinical Education Manager or Director of Professional Development roles.

Company Value: Health systems operating across multiple acute care facilities offer this role cross-enterprise visibility, with access to shared best practices and curriculum developed at scale rather than in isolation.

• Design and implement orientation and onboarding programs for nursing and non-licensed clinical staff to support retention and safe practice.
• Assess practice gaps across assigned units and translate findings into targeted educational activities with measurable outcomes.
• Evaluate educational program effectiveness using structured methodologies, adjusting content based on learner performance and audit results.
• Collaborate with the Director of Nursing and unit leadership to align educational priorities with evidence-based changes in clinical practice.
• Develop competency assessment tools and conduct annual skills validation for nursing staff at all experience levels.
• Monitor compliance of educational programs with regulatory requirements and organizational policies, maintaining accurate training records.
• Mentor nursing staff through preceptorship and role modelling, fostering a culture of lifelong professional development.
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams and Staff Development to coordinate mandatory in-services and cross-functional education initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or Education, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 or more years of clinical nursing experience in an acute care hospital setting, with demonstrated involvement in staff education or preceptorship.
• Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state of practice, in accordance with applicable law and regulation.
• NPD Practitioner certification or clinical certification recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, or active pursuit of same.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and demonstrated ability to apply it to curriculum development and instructional design.
• Ability to apply structured program evaluation frameworks to assess and refine educational outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across nursing staff, interdisciplinary teams, and facility leadership.
• Working knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements governing clinical education in acute care environments.

• Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or Education, providing expanded scope for system-level curriculum leadership.
• Experience with specialty certification preparation programs such as RN-BC MedSurg, CCRN, or Women's Health nursing tracks.
• Prior experience facilitating quality improvement initiatives aligned with National Patient Safety Standards or equivalent accreditation frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead education programs across multiple units or service lines within a large health system.

• Orientation completion rate, measuring the percentage of new hires who finish onboarding within the scheduled timeframe.
• Annual competency validation rate across assigned nursing staff, tracked against facility compliance targets.
• Practice gap closure rate, reflecting the proportion of identified deficits addressed through a planned educational intervention.
• New hire 90-day retention rate within units served, as an indirect measure of orientation program quality.
• Regulatory audit pass rate for training records maintained within the educator's scope.
• Typical tools: Learning management systems (commonly HealthStream or similar); competency tracking platforms; presentation and curriculum authoring software.

• Base Salary Range: $75,000 to $98,000 annually, depending on experience and facility size
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 3 to 7%, tied to program completion and retention metrics
• Equity: Not typically offered in hospital or health system settings
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution to premiums standard
• PTO: 18 to 25 days annually, plus recognized federal and facility holidays
• Common Perks: Continuing education reimbursement, NPD certification support, and tuition assistance for advanced nursing degrees

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Successful completion of a pre-employment background check and, where applicable, drug screening is a condition of employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Clinical Nurse Educator ICU owns the design and delivery of evidence-based orientation and onboarding programs across nursing, inter-professional, and non-licensed clinical staff at an assigned acute care facility. Reporting to the Director of Clinical Professional Development and collaborating with the Clinical Education Market Director, this role shapes nursing competency and patient care outcomes across a large-scale shared services education structure.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide orientation and onboarding programs to promote employee retention.
• Conduct orientation in a manner that facilitates a positive learning environment.
• Promote cost effectiveness through implementation of efficient orientation and onboarding practices.
• Model organizational and personal commitment to new employee success.
• Collaborate with the Education Coordinator on the logistics of orientation to keep all stakeholders informed.
• Collaborate with the Director of Clinical Professional Development to adjust the program based on evaluation results.
• Incorporate organizational values and culture into educational delivery.
• Assess practice gaps and identify learning needs.
• Identify desired outcomes and plan educational content delivery with learner engagement.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Education Market Director to evaluate and adjust educational programs based on evaluations and feedback.
• Promote safe, quality, and compassionate patient care.
• Align educational programs with organizational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Apply evaluation methodologies such as Kirkpatrick into courses and curriculum to refine clinical programs.
• Support new ideas and innovation in educational design and identify resources for problem solving.
• Utilize current best evidence and provide staff with resources to implement changes.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Education, or other clinical related field required.
• Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Education, or other clinical field preferred.
• Currently licensed as appropriate to education in the state in which practicing, in accordance with law and regulation.
• Certification as NPD Practitioner and/or clinical certification as recognized by the American Nurse Credentialing Center.
• MedSurg certification preferred (RN-BC).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an acute care hospital required.
• Knowledge of adult educational theory with demonstrated ability to apply it to the development of educational programs.

Embedded within the clinical education service line, the Women's Services Clinical Nurse Educator delivers orientation, competency assessment, and evidence-based educational activities for licensed and non-licensed healthcare personnel across Women's Services and NICU settings. Working closely with interprofessional partners and the Clinical Education Market Director, this role advances lifelong learning strategies and monitors compliance with clinical education key performance indicators.

Core Functions

• Collaborate in the entire orientation and onboarding process, including participating in development, coordination, management, facilitation, and evaluation of onboarding and orientation programs for nurses and other healthcare personnel.
• Participate in competency assessment to support the development, coordination, and evaluation of competency programs.
• Design and identify educational activities to address practice gaps for licensed and non-licensed healthcare personnel, aligned with division clinical education request and development processes.
• Promote and integrate evidence-based practice to continuously improve clinical practice.
• Facilitate research, EBP, and quality improvement in patient care settings, including dissemination of findings.
• Collaborate with interprofessional partners to share experience in planning and decision making to achieve desired clinical outcomes.
• Identify and develop strategies to facilitate lifelong learning, supporting role transition, skill acquisition, and advancement from novice to expert.
• Monitor practices and operations for compliance with laws, regulations, and guidelines while communicating key performance indicators for the clinical education service line.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Education, or other clinical related field required.
• Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Education, or other clinical field preferred.
• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of practice or must hold a Compact/Multi-State RN License.
• Certification as NPD Practitioner and/or clinical certification as recognized by the American Nurse Credentialing Center.
• Current BLS certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross required.
• 5 or more years of experience in Women's Services or NICU Nursing.
• 3 or more years of experience in clinical education.

Reporting to the Director of Nursing, the Clinical Nurse Educator leads nursing onboarding, competency assessment, and quality improvement initiatives in alignment with the national nursing training and development framework. Partnering with the Practice Development Nurse and local leadership teams, this role sustains a culture of clinical effectiveness and supports the professional development of all nursing staff.

Primary Duties

• Provide direct clinical leadership via preceptorship, mentorship, and role modelling to support a learning environment.
• Lead and support nursing onboarding, induction, training, and ongoing professional practice development in alignment with the national nursing training and development framework.
• Collaborate in the development of induction, education, and training resources within the national nursing training and development framework.
• Implement quality improvement and evidence-based practice in alignment with the National Safety and Quality Standards.
• Evaluate outcomes through competency assessments for individuals and teams.
• Facilitate positive performance management within the nursing training and development domain.
• Engage collaboratively with the Practice Development Nurse, local leadership teams, and Director of Nursing to develop and support local strategies to meet clinical need.
• Monitor, maintain, and document competency, education, and training records of staff.
• Promote and facilitate a learning environment that supports the professional development of all nurses.
• Facilitate a culture of clinical effectiveness through reflection on nursing practice that identifies and explores patient care issues.

Qualifications & Experience

• Eligible for unrestricted registration as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA.
• Postgraduate qualification in cancer care nursing or clinical education, or demonstrated commitment to working toward such qualification.
• Minimum five years of experience as a Registered Nurse with expertise in Medical Oncology Nursing.
• Demonstrated high level of skill in development and delivery of education and training programs for nursing.
• Proven ability to coordinate workload to maximise skills of staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively as part of state and national nursing teams.
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to unexpected changes.
• Exemplary interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Sitting at the intersection of clinical practice and professional development, the Clinical Nurse Educator develops, implements, and evaluates educational plans including new staff orientation, annual competency labs, and mandatory in-services for the Department of Health Services. Operating across nursing and unlicensed staff populations, this role collaborates with the Director of Nursing and Staff Development to integrate evidence-based changes into nursing practice and advance the delivery of high-quality care.

Duties

• Develop, implement, and evaluate educational plans and programs, including new nursing staff orientation, annual competency and skills labs, and in-services to enhance health services department education.
• Utilize methods, measurements, and tools to evaluate achievement of learning goals.
• Provide an appropriate climate for learning by developing, planning, and presenting educational activities that foster the development of competence in nursing staff.
• Assist learners to identify their learning needs and the effective learning activities required to meet those needs.
• Foster a positive attitude about the benefits and opportunities of lifelong learning.
• Collaborate with the Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing to identify evidence-based changes in nursing practice and facilitate initiation of and adaptation to change.
• Act as a formal and informal consultant to assist with integration of new learning into nursing practice.
• Serve as a resource in program development, clinical practice, and professional development.
• Provide ongoing evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of educational activities to maintain and enhance professional development and delivery of high-quality care.
• Collaborate with Staff Development in the new hire orientation program and in mandatory yearly in-services for unlicensed staff.
• Develop an orientation checklist for each position within the Department of Health Services, time-based by role.

Skills & Qualifications

• BSN required, MSN preferred.
• RN License required.
• At least 5 years of nursing experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of teaching experience required.
• Knowledge of professional nursing principles, practices, and procedures as applied to the care of individuals with IDD.
• Knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, and implementation of client-centered, developmentally and age-appropriate plans of care.
• Working knowledge and understanding of regulatory processes.
• Skills to collaborate in developing and evaluating evidence-based standards of care for clients.
• Skills to ensure planned educational activities are implemented and comprehensive evaluations are conducted.
• Strong attention to detail, critical thinking skills, and time management skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in a dynamic and challenging environment.

A key member of the field education team, the Clinical Nurse Educator/ALS delivers pre-approved clinical training to patients, caregivers, physicians, and office staff while managing a defined territory aligned to national performance objectives. Collaborating with sales teams, healthcare providers, and corporate stakeholders, this role advances patient confidence, therapy adherence, and demand for educator services within the neurology and movement disorder space.

Functions

• Train on pre-approved curriculum to a variety of audiences including patients, caregivers, physicians, and office staff.
• Support patient initiation processes and strategies that influence patient confidence to remain on prescribed therapy and participate in ongoing support programs.
• Work with caregivers and advocates to provide emotional reinforcement and reduce uncertainty in supporting patients with ALS.
• Explain medical treatment, provide symptom management support, and identify and recommend patient and caregiver resources including support groups, financial resources, and transportation.
• Develop a strategy and call plan for assigned territory aligned with territory metrics and national performance objectives.
• Anticipate and address healthcare provider needs and create awareness and demand for educator services.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to build opportunities within client accounts.
• Build relationships with healthcare providers, office staff, local nurse educators, and corporate stakeholders.
• Work in cooperation with sales teams to improve patient outcomes utilizing approved marketing and educational materials.
• Advise on industry insights and innovative approaches to training curriculum.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with all client and industry-mandated rules and regulations.

Experience & Qualifications

• Licensed healthcare professional at minimum RN level with background in chronic conditions, neurological conditions, or movement disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, or Alzheimer's.
• Experience in HCP and patient education including infusion or injection experience required.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Experience working for or contracting with pharmaceutical companies preferred.
• Strong communication and written skills across a variety of audiences.
• Experience working with a treatment team in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven adaptability to changing business demands and problem solving.
• Desire to self-manage an assigned territory with strong goal and metric orientation.
• Compassion, high emotional intelligence, and a passion for patient advocacy.
• Comfortable utilizing technology including tablets and projectors.

Consistent wound care outcomes across post-acute and long-term care accounts depend on the Clinical Nurse Educator-Wound Care, who delivers on-site education, conducts quarterly business reviews, and ensures policies and educational programs reflect current specialty standards. Based within the clinical services division, this role partners with national and regional account teams and senior clinical staff to drive customer retention and support product evaluations across the post-acute sales force.

Accountabilities

• Demonstrate quality nursing care, problem-solving skills, effective use of resources, collaboration with other health professionals, and adherence to professional standards.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews with key accounts and senior clinical staff.
• Develop customer retention service proposals through consultation with key clients.
• Develop account-specific educational webinars for national and regional accounts.
• Manage national account product formulary and introduce new technologies to improve outcomes.
• Provide on-site education and clinical support on clinical programs, products, and services.
• Identify problem areas and recommend changes and solutions.
• Evaluate policies and procedures related to patient and resident care in specialty area.
• Participate in development, revision, and implementation of patient and resident education programs, materials, and resources in specialty area.
• Recommend formal educational programs to meet staff needs.
• Study changes in specialty area and seek additional knowledge on unusual problems, new treatments, and medications.
• Support post-acute sales force during clinical product evaluations and conversions and troubleshoot as needed.
• Represent the clinical services division by making presentations and participating in forums, committees, and professional associations.

Background & Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in a clinical role.
• Skin or wound care experience required.
• Long-term care experience a plus.
• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to build rapport quickly.
• Experience processing relevant details, understanding and prioritizing their importance, and drawing clear and concise conclusions.

As the Clinical Nurse Educator, this role delivers product education and in-service training for hospital staff, nursing home staff, and home patients across the greater Sydney metropolitan area, meeting customer requirements as agreed with the sales representative or manager. The nutrition division relies on this work to maintain consistent service quality, provide clinical support to patients discharged on nutritional devices or feeds, and ensure sales teams are equipped to serve customers effectively.

What You'll Do

• Meet customer education and in-service requirements as agreed with sales representative or manager.
• Remain available to respond to customers during business hours.
• Deliver required services based on hospital tender outcomes, including clinical support for patients discharged on a pump, device, or feed.
• Conduct education at hospitals, aged care facilities, patients in the home, and community service organisations.
• Act as a resource and assist with training of sales teams as required.
• Work closely with the CNE in the Southern Region to ensure quality of service levels is consistent with company objectives and values.

Position Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Nursing (Registered Nurse) required.
• Current AHPRA Registration required.
• Diploma in Education or Certificate IV in Training and Assessment required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Clinical Nurse Educator or Consultant in a surgical or medical field.
• Knowledge of nutrition an advantage.

Oncology Clinical Nurse Educator conducts primarily in-person disease state education and product-indication training for Allied Health Care Clinicians across an assigned regional territory, including supporting local patient advocacy groups and attending national, regional, and local conferences. The work directly supports healthcare clinicians in academic and community oncology practices treating Hematology and MPN patients, with travel required at least 50% of the time.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Conduct primarily in-person engagements with the healthcare community within the territory, with occasional virtual interaction when requested or required.
• Evaluate customer educational needs.
• Provide disease state education to Allied Health Care Clinicians.
• Educate Allied Health Care Clinicians on appropriate patient identification and management of approved products and accompanying indications.
• Identify key Allied Health Care Clinicians in targeted accounts.
• Provide support for local patient advocacy groups and meetings.
• Attend and support relevant Allied Health Care conferences and meetings at national, regional, and local levels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required, or equivalent Allied Health professional qualification with recent MPN/Hematology clinical specialty experience.
• Current active nursing license required, or current active PA license with relevant experience.
• 5 or more years of clinical oncology or hematology experience.
• Oncology or hematology experience in a pharmaceutical or biotech industry is a plus.
• Experience in academic or community oncology practice working with Hematology/MPN patients.
• Disease state educator experience.
• Experience and established relationships with healthcare clinicians within assigned region.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work autonomously and manage time efficiently.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Passion for patients essential.