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We are dedicated to creating an environment of care and engagement that makes us one of the most desirable places to work, providing exceptional care to each patient each and every day!

CLINICAL NURSE LEADER      

JOB SUMMARY:

A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a registered nurse who specializes in the care of a defined population of patients and has assumed a leadership role at the point of care. The CNL provides clinical leadership, advisement, and expertise to staff, particularly in the management of complex patient care. CNLs focus on improving quality of patient care and safety through care coordination, outcomes measurement, risk assessment, and the implementation of evidence-based best practices. This position collaborates with the Assistant Nurse Manager and Center for Nursing Excellence Department, and assists with the management of the department(s).  

The CNL role was developed and recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to address the need to reduce healthcare errors and improve patient outcomes. The CNL functions as a clinical expert, educator, team leader, patient advocate, and excellent outcomes leader. The CNL works collaboratively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams throughout the organization.

CNL functions in a point-of-care leadership role, providing real-time clinical oversight, coordination, and support within the clinical setting. CNL’s primary domain of practice is the unit level, where care delivery, workflow, and patient outcomes intersect. The CNL serves as the primary wound care clinical expert, supporting optimal skin integrity outcomes through evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The CNL functions as a clinical leader at the point of care, with responsibility for lateral integration of care for a specific population of patients.

Clinical Leadership and Practice

• Provides clinical leadership and advisement to nursing staff regarding complex patient care situations.
• Functions as an expert clinician for a defined population of patients across the continuum of care.
• Serves as the unit-based subject matter expert for wound care and skin integrity. Provides clinical leadership, consultation, and oversight for wound prevention, assessment, and treatment. Collaborates with nursing staff, medical providers, and interdisciplinary team  members to ensure patients receive appropriate evidence-based wound care interventions. Evaluates effectiveness of wound treatment plans and recommends adjustments as clinically indicated.
• May assume a patient assignment, which may include high-complexity patients.
• Works collaboratively with medical providers, respiratory therapists, other healthcare interdisciplinary professionals to coordinate care.
• Ensures the safe and efficient flow of patients within the unit (admits/discharges).
• Assists with coordination of staff schedules and partnering with the staffing office to ensure appropriate staffing is scheduled for all shifts.

Care Coordination and Outcomes Management

• Oversees the coordination of care for patients to ensure safe, effective, and high-quality outcomes.
• Collects and analyzes data related to patient outcomes to evaluate and improve plans of care.
• Focuses on transitions of care to support continuity and safety.
• Conducts risk assessments to identify opportunities to reduce errors and improve patient safety.

Staff Support and Performance

• Oversees unit operations during assigned shift and ensures staff assignments are safe and appropriate based on patient needs and staff experience and qualifications.
• Monitors staff performance and implements change as necessary to improve care delivery.
• Serves as a resource, educator, and role model for nursing staff.

Quality Improvement, and Evidence-Based Practice

• Designs and implements projects to address clinical challenges and improve efficiency and safety.
• Leads implementation of best practices based on evidence.
• Leads unit-level wound care quality initiatives, including prevention strategies, outcome monitoring, and adherence to evidence-based wound care standards.
• Identifies opportunities to reduce patient errors and improve quality of care.
• Advocates for the incorporation of new medical technologies to enhance patient outcomes.

Leadership and Professional Role

• Functions as a team leader and patient advocate.
• Facilitates effective interprofessional communication and teamwork.
• Demonstrates motivation to lead change and improve healthcare outcomes.
• Maintains professional growth and promotes continuous learning among staff.
• Serves as the first line of communication for staff for any patient care issues or concerns.
• Understands department budget, supports good financial stewardship and achieving budget targets.

COMPETENCIES

Clinical competencies for this position shall be relevant to the population of patients served.  Leadership competencies shall be reflective of the role the position carries out in day-to-day responsibilities and accountability. Additional competencies may be required (either by regulation or law), as assessed by the Director according to changes in patient population served or advancements in practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Experience

Clinical nursing experience with demonstrated expertise in the care of the defined patient population being served. Experience working collaboratively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and providing leadership at the point of care is required.

Prior wound care experience is preferred, including but not limited to experience in a wound care center, participation on a skin or wound care team, or demonstrated leadership in wound prevention and treatment initiatives.

Licensure/Certification

Must hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) or a multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) license that allows practice in Connecticut.

Current Nurse Certification in related specialty preferred. Wound care certification (e.g., WOCN, CWOCN, or equivalent) preferred. If not currently certified, incumbent must obtain wound care certification within six (6) months of hire.

Skills
The CNL shall have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal; strong problem-solving, decision-making, and time-management skills; demonstrated knowledge of operations, including staffing, scheduling, productivity management, workflow planning, and staff development; ability to evaluate patient outcomes and clinical processes; and proficiency in PC-based computer software, including Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Demands:

• Job requires continuous periods of walking, standing, bending, reaching, with periodic sitting. Occasional climbing, squatting, and kneeling as related to patient care.
• Job requires the ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 pounds continuously, 20 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds frequently for assisting with patient transfers and bed mobility.
• Ability to push/pull up to 25 lbs. frequently for medication carts/equipment and 50 pounds occasionally for patient care and mobility activities.
• Job requires frequent use of gross, fine motor and sensory skills in order to pass medications, perform assessments and treatments, and handle equipment used in patient care

Work Demands:

• Job requires working primarily indoors
• Frequently with and around others
• May occasionally be required to work on weekends/holidays/off shifts based on operational needs
• Job requires on call duty and emergency response
• Job involves possible exposure and handling of the following: bloodborne and/or airborne pathogens, body fluids, infections and contagious diseases, latex, antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs

Cognitive Demands:

• Position requires independent problem identification, abstract reasoning, and adaptability. Quick decision-making on issues with significant organizational impact is required. A very high degree of selective attention, discernment, perception and/or concentration is necessary
• Position requires a high degree of writing proficiency, including attention to detail.  A working knowledge and familiarity with medical terminology and professional/medical documentation
• Position requires high degree of reading and auditory comprehension of abstractions and an ability to make inferences and respond to verbal directions
• Must be able to coach and assess skills of staff members
• Job requires ability to work with mathematical data, reading, computing, developing, analyzing, and monitoring of budgets, quality reports, and medication administration.

The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of the position.