Director of Clinical Education (47957)

Under the general supervision of the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), the Director of Clinical Education provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the Department of Clinical Education at Winslow Indian Health Care Center, Inc. (“WIHCC”). The Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing clinical education programs for nursing staff, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), medical providers, and allied health professionals. Assesses, researches, plans, implements, and evaluates clinical education and staff development programs to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission (JC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and other applicable professional and regulatory standards. The Director of Clinical Education uses advanced clinical and educational expertise to develop interdisciplinary training, onboarding, licensure/certification tracking, and continuing competency programs across the organization. Upholds the principles of WIHCC’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information at all times.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Education Program Development

• Designs, develops, implements, and continuously evaluates clinical education programs for nursing staff, APPs, providers, and allied health professionals across all clinical departments.
• Establishes organization-wide education standards, curricula, and competency frameworks grounded in evidence-based practice and adult learning principles.
• Organizes and develops, or obtains, training manuals, procedure guides, and course materials, including content delivered through HealthStream and other instructional platforms.
• Identifies, evaluates, and implements instructional materials and delivery methods, including in-person, simulation-based, and e-learning formats, to meet the needs of diverse clinical staff.

Regulatory Compliance & Standards

• Ensures clinical education programs and staff competencies comply with JC Standards/Elements of Performance, the National Safety Goals (NSG), CMS Conditions of Participation, and other applicable federal, tribal, and professional regulatory requirements.
• Maintains current policies, procedures, and protocols related to clinical education, staff development, and competency verification.
• Prepares for and supports regulatory surveys, audits, and accreditation reviews related to staff education, orientation, and competency.

Collaboration & Needs Assessment

• Conducts ongoing education needs assessments in collaboration with Nursing Leadership, Medical Staff, Quality Management, and department directors to identify training and competency gaps.
• Collaborates with the Nursing Leadership Team, Medical Staff, Quality Management, and Human Resources to align education initiatives with WIHCC’s strategic plan and GPRA objectives.
• Serves as an advisor or member of hospital committees, including but not limited to Trauma, Code Blue, Rapid Response, and Adverse Events.

Onboarding & Retention

• Works closely with Human Resources to design and coordinate onboarding, orientation, and preceptorship programs for newly hired nursing staff, APPs, providers, and allied health professionals.
• Partners with Human Resources and department leadership on retention strategies, including mentorship, career pathways, and professional development planning.
• Coordinates clinical orientation and placement experiences for nursing and allied health students and faculty utilizing WIHCC and/or Dilkon Medical Center (DMC) as a clinical education site.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Establishes metrics and evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of clinical education programs and staff competency outcomes.
• Analyzes education program data and outcomes to drive continuous improvement, adjusting curricula and delivery methods as needed.
• Prepares and submits regular reports, including monthly staff development reports, educational activity summaries, and outcome analyses, to the Nurse Leadership Team and organizational leadership.

Licensure & Certification Monitoring

• Oversees a centralized system for tracking and monitoring current licensure, certifications, and mandatory training compliance for nursing staff, and allied health professionals.
• Identifies and communicates staff approaching delinquency status for required licensure, certification, or training, and coordinates remediation timelines with department leadership and Human Resources.
• Administers and maintains the organization’s learning management system (HealthStream), ensuring accurate assignment, tracking, and reporting of required education.
   

Training & Certification Coordination

• Provides and/or coordinates Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training, certification, and recertification for applicable staff.
• Recruits, trains, and maintains a roster of qualified BLS/ACLS/PALS instructors to support organizational training needs.
• Coordinates additional specialty certifications and trainings (e.g., TNCC, ENPC, NRP) as required by clinical departments.

Department Leadership & Oversight

• Provides administrative and operational leadership for the Department of Clinical Education, including staffing, budget development, and resource allocation.
• Prepares written educational budget plans for the Department of Clinical Education.
• Participates as an active member of the Nursing Leadership Team and represents Clinical Education in organizational planning.
• Provides leadership to assure compliance, employee and patient satisfaction, and to create and maintain an ethical work environment with high morale and productivity.
• Researches advancements and utilizes evidence-based practices in clinical education and staff development, incorporating these into current practice.

General

• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Requires completion of tasks or duties assigned by a supervisor.
• Upholds all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adheres to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Adheres to WIHCC Personnel Policies and Procedures, departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
• Interacts in an honest, trustworthy, and dependable manner with patients, employees, visitors, and vendors.
• Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Maintains compliance with all Human Resources requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduate-level clinical degree required (e.g., MSN, DNP, or equivalent advanced clinical degree for APPs, MD, or DO). Minimum of five (5) years of experience in clinical education or staff development within a healthcare setting required. Minimum of three (3) years of leadership or management experience in clinical education required. Degree or coursework in healthcare administration, education, or a related field preferred.

Current BLS/CPR required; ACLS and PALS certification required or attained within six months of hire. Practical knowledge of adult learning principles, professional clinical practice standards, and Joint Commission/CMS standards and requirements required.

For positions requiring clinical licensure (RN, APP, or other clinical discipline), the individual must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration in their respective discipline from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. RNs must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Must maintain a valid, unrestricted, and insurable driver’s license. Must successfully pass a background investigation and maintain suitable requirements for a Child Care position. This position is considered a Child Care position, which requires a satisfactory background check investigation and is subject to the requirements of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, as amended (henceforth referred to as the ICPFVP Act).

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Knowledge of clinical education program design, adult learning theory, instructional design, and competency-based training methodologies.
• Knowledge of health service administration, accreditation requirements, continuous quality assurance/management, risk management, safety, and infection control.
• Knowledge of Joint Commission (JC), CMS, and applicable federal, tribal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, standards, and requirements.
• Knowledge of learning management system administration (e.g., HealthStream) and information management systems, including RPMS/EHR platforms.
• Knowledge of the complexity of current health problems specific to Native Americans.
• Knowledge of cultural sensitivity and language diversity.
• Knowledge of budget development and resource management for an education department.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills, e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures for clinical education.
• Skill in communication, including teaching groups and providing technical assistance to individuals and departments regarding new practices and processes.
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations and training to interdisciplinary audiences.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and develop education department staff and instructors.
• Ability to maintain CPR and other certifications as required.
• Ability to be dependable in attendance and job performance.
• Ability to accept and learn from feedback.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service at all times.
• Ability to interact positively with others and possess strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and perform well under pressure.
• Ability to be a strong team player and collaborative leader.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the organization.

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects and equipment, reach with hands and arms, and communicate effectively by talking and hearing. The employee frequently must stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and may occasionally use taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office setting or outdoor work environment with moderate noise levels. Work environment may involve exposure to physical risks, such as blood borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, or operating potential dangerous equipment, and requires adherence to all safety protocols. Required work schedules may include evening, weekend, overnight shifts, extended hours, or irregular schedules as operational needs dictate. 

As required by P.L. 93-638, absolute preference will be given to qualified Navajo applicants.  If there is no qualified Navajo applicant, preference will be given to qualified American Indian applicants.