Clinical Scholar

**Work Type: Temporary Part Time**

**It's the St. Mary’s way: compassionate care for our patients and each other, together.**

We grow our people and we’re growing the future of healthcare today and tomorrow. Our patients are the heart of why we care, and our staff are the heart of how we care.

This is a pivotal and exciting time as we build for the future. Whether you are starting your career or looking for new experiences, don’t let our size fool you. We are leaders in our field recognized globally for world-class, innovative healthcare.

Our vision of “Inspiring Excellence. Healthier Together” is not just about our approach to patient-centered care, it’s also about our commitment to our staff.

Join us, learn with us, grow the future of healthcare together.

**The St. Mary’s Way**:
Inclusive: You are valued for your whole, authentic self.

Training & Development: We’ll invest in you as we grow our team of today and the future.

Wellbeing Supports: Wraparound supports professionally and personally.

Leaders in Healthcare: Join a winning team voted Top 100 Forbes Canada's Best Employers 2022 & 2023, and best hospital in Waterloo Region in the Record's Reader Choice Awards

**Please Note**:New employees must provide documentation/proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status, a 2-step TB screening, as well as proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) prior to their start date at St. Mary’s General Hospital. Staff will require clearance from Employee Health and Wellness before they are able to begin any position within SMGH.

**Position Summary**:
Reporting to the Manager, Professional Practice and Clinical Information, the Clinical Scholar will be responsible for supporting new nurses and/or nurses that have recently joined a new department and need skill development support. The Clinical Scholar will support the new nurses to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for practice within the clinical environment as a beginning level nurse. The Clinical Scholar will act as a professional role model for new nurses and is responsible for maintaining positive relationships with the various teams to enhance the learning experience.

Each Clinical Scholar will be assigned units to support based on the Hospital’s needs. These needs will be regularly assessed to ensure that the Clinical Scholars are poised to offer the most effective support. As the role will support across the Hospital, Clinical Scholars with diverse skillsets will be preferred.

**Position Responsibilities**:

- Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to research/evidence-based practice
- Work collaboratively with new nurses to identify and develop learning goals specific to their needs, review expectations and required competencies in clinical areas
- Facilitate clinical hands-on experiences and other professional development activities for learners, assisting new nurses to work towards clinical unit learning objectives and competencies
- Support new nurses to locate required information (e.g., policies, educational resources, equipment, human resources support)
- Liaise and consult regularly with the new nurse’s assigned unit preceptor and Nurse Educator on clinical unit to facilitate effective integration of theory with practice and achievement of expected outcomes
- Act as a coach and mentor for new nurse by providing ongoing support to ensure continued professional growth
- Facilitates socialization of the new nurse into the team and the culture of the unit
- Promote a mentoring environment
- Assist new nurses with their development of communication, problem solving, clinical and professional skills
- Work alongside new nurses as they demonstrate components of their practice
- Respond positively and proactively to the immediate concerns and needs of the new nurses and other team members
- Conduct pre-briefing and debriefing sessions with new nurses
- Provide regular formative and summative feedback to the new nurses, their assigned preceptor, and Nurse Educator about the learner’s performance

**Position Requirements**:

- Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario
- Current and maintained BLS
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in the relevant clinical area, with current acute care experience
- Excellent clinical skills and competencies
- Knowledge of principles of adult learning
- Experience in clinical education/teaching of undergraduate nursing students, or other relevant teaching experience
- Knowledge of SMGH policies, processes, procedures, and incident reporting system
- Proficiency documenting in the Cerner documentation system
- Experience with clinical equipment used at SMGH (e.g., infusion pumps, medication dispensing cabinets, telemetry monitors, vascular access devices, etc.)
- Ability to give and receive timely and constructive feedback

**Preferred Requirements**:

- Completion of additional nursing-related courses/cer