JOB DESCRIPTION – Clinical Instructor

QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate degree required. Two years nursing experience as an RN

Term: One semester; renewed based on the needs of the program and satisfactory performance evaluation.

1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Interprets the mission and aim of the School of Nursing in relation to the planning and delivery of nursing care, within the framework of the agency.
2. Confers with professional staff involved in the planning and implementation of nursing care in the agency and health promotion activities in the community.
3. Interprets the program curriculum to the nursing staff and other appropriate staff within the agency.
4. Provides the students and the agency with documents determined by the course coordinator to be necessary, such as student schedules and students’ assignments.
5. Serves as a role model.
6. Maintains current clinical competency and knowledge
7. Attends mandatory Orientation at a designated location on campus at Catholic University.
8. Completes all training as directed by the Director of Clinical Placements.
9. Works with course coordinator to evaluate the agency and unit for continued use as a clinical site.
10. Schedules an end of rotation evaluation conference with the agency (nursing manager) at the conclusion of the academic year to review any student, staff and/or agency issues.  Submits a written summary of the evaluation conference to the course coordinator (for filing according to BSN program accreditation requirements).
11. Reports to the Clinical Course Coordinator and Director, Undergraduate Clinical Partnerships and Placements

B. RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO CLINICAL AGENCIES:

1.  Orients self to the agency to be used for the student experience.
2. Abides by the agency’s requirements, especially regarding ID badges, computerized charting, and parking.
3. Meets all compliance requirements of the clinical sites assigned.
4. With agreement of the course coordinator, confers with appropriate personnel within the agency to plan appropriate student learning experiences.  Maintains and supports all safety measures.

5. Serves as a positive liaison between the School of Nursing and the agency.

C. RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS :

1. Orients students to the clinical setting.
2. Arranges and/or conducts the student orientation to the agency.
3. Plans student assignments critically in relation to the student’s level and the course objectives.
   1. Plans assignments in relation to the availability of learning opportunities.
   2. Identifies additional learning resources.

4. Reinforces concepts taught in the BSN curriculum.
5. Helps the student to acquire appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes required of professional nurses.
6. Supports the students in using methods of problem solving and higher level thinking in nursing and personal relationships, through individual and clinical group conferences.
7. Encourages students to assume increasing responsibility for personal development.
8. Creates opportunities for students to independently provide appropriate nursing care with increasing levels of responsibility.
9. Supervises patient care, physical assessments and the administration of medication.
10. Collaborates with the course coordinator regarding important student issues, such as unsafe practice or other critical incidents.
11. Grades all course assignments (quizzes, case studies, care plans, etc.), as indicated in the course syllabus.
12. Evaluates progress of students.
    1. Provides ongoing feedback to students regarding their strengths and areas in need of improvement.
    2. Keeps notes concerning performance and shares these with the student.
    3. Guides and encourages students’ self-evaluation.
    4. If indicated, develops a learning prescription (see Learning Prescription Form) to improve students’ skills with Clinical Course Coordinator
    5. After discussion with the clinical course coordinator, issues clinical warnings as necessary
    6. Maintains grade record for all assigned students.
    7. Maintains student information in a confidential manner.
    8. Confers with the course coordinator, as needed, regarding student’s performance or school processes.

13. Performs student evaluations in a timely manner.
14. Performs a formal written mid-term evaluation for each student (see Clinical Evaluation Tool and guidelines).
15. Completes a formal final evaluation of each student (see Final Evaluation Form and Clinical Evaluation Tool). All core concepts must be rated

“Satisfactory” for a student to pass the course. 

1. Submits all evaluation forms to the course coordinator, as indicated.

 D. RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO NEW INSTRUCTORS:

1. If the Instructor is not familiar with the assigned agency and/or the unit, the instructor must set up a comprehensive time for self orientation. It is expected that the instructor will be familiar with the unit layout, computerized charting (if applicable), unit documentation, medication administration/PYXIS access, and other procedures, PRIOR to the student’s first clinical day at the agency!
2. The instructor must be familiar with the agency’s policies and procedures prior to the first day of student orientation to the site.
3. Clinical Orientation Guidelines
   1. Agency (ID badges, parking, cafeteria, meeting rooms, computer use)
   2. Unit (Scavenger Hunt)
   3. Expectations (Course syllabus)
   4. Reading Charts
   5. Confidentiality/HIPAA
   6. Preconference
   7. Post conference
   8. Meeting rooms
   9. Sample clinical day