Clinical Scholar

**Job Description**:
Reporting to the Manager, Professional Practice - Nursing Residency the primary role of the Clinical Scholar is to work collaboratively with program leadership to assist in achieving the clinical orientation and learning needs of newly hired nursing staff. This role will work collaboratively with the Clinical Nurse Educators to support the education initiatives that meet patient and staff needs. The Clinical Scholar is an experienced practitioner who can lead and model quality patient care and professionalism. The Clinical Scholar assists in the delivery of processes and strategies that enable and advance professional practice and ongoing skills, education and training.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to coaching, mentorship, collaboration, & program implementation:

- Act as a mentor or coach for new nursing staff and provide them with appropriate opportunities for developing clinical skills, critical thinking, practice decision making and problem-solving skills
- Creates an environment with open communication and facilitates open communication and staff sharing in decision making and resolution of conflicts maintaining collegiality among all team members
- Maintains a strong unit presence to support practice in clinical environments
- Supports programming under the Nursing Residency portfolio, focusing on just-in-time, at the elbow, bedside support of newly hired nursing staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

**Education**:

- Current Certificate of Competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario required
- Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing required
- Specialty Certification with Canadian Nurses Association an asset
- Formal training specific to education an asset

**Experience**:

- 3 - 5 years current or recent clinical practice experience in acute care required
- Recent (within the last 3 years) Critical Care and/or Emergency experience preferred
- 1 - 2 years experience with preceptorship and/or mentorship required
- Previous experience with project implementation and/or change management experience and participation in process improvement initiatives an asset
- Knowledge of adult learning principals required
- Knowledge of Internationally Educated Nurse registration process and supports preferred

Competencies:

- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Clinical facilitation skills required
- Leadership experience (formal/informal) required
- Ability to problem solve clinical issues with the support of the manager
- Ability to collaborate with all members of the interprofessional team
- Capability to coach, mentor and provide constructive feedback within a positive culture
- Change management knowledge to include ability to coach and support staff with program initiatives
- Commitment to growth and development of self and others
- Excellent critical thinking, decision making and conflict resolution skills
- Demonstrated professionalism
- Demonstrated commitment to improving patient flow throughout the facility
- Demonstrates knowledge of patient and staff safety policies and procedures

Other:

- Working knowledge and understanding of Patient Information systems (i.e. Meditech)
- Leadership training
- Ability to learn about, from and with other members of the patient care team to foster a strong interprofessional model of care
- Exhibits the core values of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre: Work Together, Respect All, Think Big, Own It, Care