Clinical Quality Educator - CareFlite

Clinical Quality Educator

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This position serves to enhance clinical quality at CareFlite. The Clinical Quality Educator is responsible for assisting in the development and advancement of the quality of practice through the provision of patient care, consultation, collaboration, education, and research.

This position requires the personal skills to be an effective leader and the ability to inspire individuals by communicating needed changes, motivating individuals to become active participating members of a team, and encouraging self-development through a leadership example approach. The Clinical Quality Educator will work collaboratively with CareFlite management members to ensure that the organization’s educational goals are achieved.

This position has a matrix reporting structure. It directly reports to the Manager of Clinical Quality while working collaboratively with the Ground Clinical Process Supervisor, Orientation Supervisor, EMS Program Manager, and Director of Air Clinical Services.

This position provides direction and advice to CareFlite employees in developing and implementing educational programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Clinical Quality Educator maintains all certifications and skills required to function as a transport team member. Serves as a role model for staff in the achievement and maintenance of clinical skills.

• Observes clinical practice of staff and provides input for performance appraisals of clinical staff to the appropriate supervisor/manager.

• Provides input to the Manager of Clinical Quality and Ground Operations Management on required changes in policies and/or procedures to ensure evidence based medicine is delivered to all communities that CareFlite serves.

• Ensures that all CareFlite activities related to FRO operations are in full compliance with company procedures/contracts and government regulations. Encourages FRO participation in all educational, quality improvement and research activities.

• Organizes and delivers outreach training to rural fire departments, EMS providers and hospital customers as assigned.

• Actively promotes teamwork and a sense of unity in purpose for the CareFlite organization.

• Manages time appropriately to ensure that all areas of the job responsibilities are adequately covered.

• Will implement and follow quality assurance guidelines by 100% compliance with AHA, DSHS, ANCC documentation requirements and record-keeping related to educational activities.

• Implements findings of peer review (QUEST) into future educational activities.

• Teaches live courses as developed to both internal CareFlite clinical staff as well as external customers to include Fire/EMS agencies, FRO agencies and hospitals as needed.

• Records educational courses for posting on the CareFlite Ninth Brain LMS system to be used for providing monthly education.

· Organize, schedule, and present continuing education for CareFlite clinical staff via in-person seminars or classes, hands-on demonstrations, and virtual learning, such as webinars or podcasts. Teaching methods vary depending on what type of information they are disseminating.

• Assists with the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision as necessary of the competency-based orientation programs for clinical staff. Assists with the development of similar programs for non-clinical personnel as requested.

• Assists with the continuing education program for the clinical staff. Makes application to the Texas Department of Health for continuing education credit on applicable programs to obtain continuing education credit. Participates in ensuring ANCC compliance for Nursing continuing education credit.

• Maintains an accurate record of certifications, skill training, safety training, and licensure on all clinical personnel in the ground program. Provides input to Ground Operations Management and the Manager of Clinical Quality on deficiencies.

• Participates in monthly Clinical Quality/QUEST meetings.

• Stays abreast of national educational standards for prehospital programs, and Texas Department of Health regulations for pre-hospital care providers, CAMTS requirements for education. Provides input to the Manager of Clinical Quality and the Orientation Supervisor related to new hire orientation courses.

• Acts as a resource to other CareFlite personnel who are engaged in the development, implementation, and review of education programs.

• Encourages staff participation in all educational, quality improvement and research activities. Serves as a mentor for interested staff to assist them in their personal and professional development.

• Actively promotes teamwork and a sense of unity in purpose for the CareFlite organization.
• Assists the Manager of Clinical Quality in the development of the annual budget. Identifies capital equipment items necessary for the operation of the educational programs.

• Maintains accurate inventory of all training equipment, and ensures it is appropriately cleaned and in good working order.

• Works collaboratively with the practice council and unified practice council on reviews for clinical compliance with protocols and standards of practice. Integrates findings of Continuous Improvement studies and projects into educational programs.

• Participates in the development of, implementation of and adherence to a quality improvement model for CareFlite, which consistently identifies ways to improve the performance of services provided by CareFlite. Ensures that such a model incorporates a team approach and focuses on all aspects of CareFlite ground operations. Aspects measured in the continuous improvement program should include but not be limited to personnel satisfaction, patient care outcomes, customer satisfaction, responsiveness of service, cost effectiveness, appropriateness of service and safety. Ensures that the clinically focused portions of the program are a continuous process, identifying areas of concern and include appropriate actions and follow-up evaluation of those actions.

• May attend continuous improvement meetings for sponsoring hospitals as needed, forwards all inquiries regarding the clinical care provided by CareFlite personnel to the Manager of Clinical Quality.
• Participates in nursing, paramedic, medical and / or other research activities. Actively involves other clinical staff in research activities.

• Promotes adherence to research parameters by clinical staff.

PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL GROWTH:

• The clinical educator is involved in developing as a leader for CareFlite through a commitment to the mission and by demonstrating this at every opportunity within and outside of the organization. He/she monitors their own areas of strength and weakness and seeks out opportunities and/or guidance for personal and professional development.

• Manages time appropriately to ensure that all areas of job responsibilities are adequately covered.

• Provide clear and concise direction to staff. Has active listening skills and promotes tolerance of diversity in the workplace.

• Actively promotes teamwork and cooperation with other CareFlite and/or hospital personnel. Allows and encourages employee involvement in education activities to promote their involvement in and commitment to the organization.

• Demonstrates a positive approach to problem-solving and serves as a role model for staff in this area.

• Demonstrates flexibility and an ability to respond to changing priorities.

• Maintains ethical, courteous, and professional behavior, which reflects favorably on CareFlite. Serves as a role model for ethical and exemplary behavior in all aspects of the position.

• Written and oral communications are clear, concise, and appropriate.

• Is assigned to the CareFlite Corporate office in Irving, Texas, and maintains excellent attendance.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Currently licensed as a registered nurse and/or paramedic in Texas.

• Current Instructor of BCLS, ACLS, PALS, PHTLS or willing to obtain within one year of hire.
• Certification as a CCRN, CEN, CFRN or FPC or willing to obtain within one year of hire.
• Certification as TDH Instructor/Examiner or willingness to obtain within one year of hire.
• Three years of experience in related field.
• Formal and informal teaching experience to small and large groups.
• Two years primary paramedic education experience preferred.
• Experience in research activities and/or publishing preferred.
• Willingness to attend simulation training as assigned.
• Nurse applicants – Must possess BSN, with a masters preferred with educational background.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Ability to make decisions, which have moderate impact on immediate work unit.
• Ability to understand, remember and apply oral and/or written instructions.
• Must be able to see and speak with customers and observe equipment operation.
• Occasionally perform tasks while standing and walking up to 100% of time.
• Examine and assess the skin and other abnormalities through sight, touch and smell.
• Reach, bend, kneel and have high level of manual dexterity.
• Will often be required to lift and carry up to 25 pounds or more.
• Fast paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Frequently exposed to extreme temperatures and bloodborne pathogens.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment while performing specific tasks or in certain areas

The competence of the employee in performing his/her duties is evaluated during orientation to his/her position and will be demonstrated, maintained, and improved on an ongoing basis.

The statements contained in this position description reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identifies and shall not be considered a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.