Patient Care Specialist
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Summary
Ensures and provides patient care and serves as a responsible and accountable clinical expert, role model, educator, and resource who facilitates the professional development of staff and evidence-based quality care. Collaborates with the unit leadership team to ensure competent staff performance to promote quality patient outcomes and meeting of regulatory guidelines. Assists in maintaining a safe work environment and maintains clinical and professional competency as appropriate to the population of patients served. Disseminates to staff all relevant information and education obtained from committees and monthly Patient Care Specialist meeting in timely manner to ensure adoption of current practices.
Job description
Job Duties
- Participates with unit leadership team and the Department of Education to ensure educational needs of staff are met including, but not limited to, orientation, nurse residency, ongoing competency assessment, use of electronic learning system and electronic medical record, continuing education, performance improvement, and professional development.
- Provides clinical, consultative, technical, and informational services to clinical staff, patients, and families demonstrating knowledge in identification and resolution of patient care or other problems.
- Participates in all phases of the performance improvement process including organizational unit-based patient satisfaction goals.
- Assists in the development and implementation of evidence-based policies/procedures/protocols/standards designed to facilitate improved care practices and to promote positive patient outcomes. Mentors nurse resident EBP projects and facilitates dissemination as appropriate.
- Demonstrates commitment to quality and safety, in accordance with established policies and procedures, utilizing evidence-based practice.
- Fosters staff compliance with all regulatory requirements (OSHA, HIPAA, TJC, DOH, ADA, etc.) including Point of Care testing, patient safety goals, and mandatory educational requirements.
- Mentors staff to facilitate team development and collaborative practice via the Professional Practice Model.
- Utilizes appropriate and acceptable intervention behaviors and communication styles in order to be an effective resource and liaison to staff within the department as well as within the hospital network.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in nursing.
- 3 years of recent experience in a clinical practice with demonstrated leadership/teaching abilities.
- Knowledge and competence that reflects current nursing practice.
- Ability to identify clinical problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions/quality care interventions.
- Basic knowledge of evidence-based practice.
- Basic computer skills.
- BLS - Basic Life Support AHA - American Heart Association Upon Hire
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - American Heart Association Upon Hire
- RN - Licensed Registered Nurse_PA - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in nursing
- 3 years of recent experience in a clinical practice with demonstrated leadership/teaching abilities
- Knowledge and competence that reflects current nursing practice
- Ability to identify clinical problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions/quality care interventions
- Basic knowledge of evidence-based practice
- Basic computer skills
- BLS - Basic Life Support AHA - American Heart Association Upon Hire
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - American Heart Association Upon Hire
- RN - Licensed Registered Nurse_PA - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
Company overview
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is a major healthcare provider and hospital network based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serving the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania regions. Founded in 1899, LVHN operates as a comprehensive healthcare system with 13 hospital campuses, 28 health centers, numerous primary and specialty care physician practices, and multiple urgent care locations. The network's flagship facility, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, is Pennsylvania's third-largest hospital and features the state's first Level One Trauma Center. LVHN provides a wide range of medical services including specialized institutes for cancer care, heart and vascular treatment, surgical excellence, orthopedics, and neuroscience. The network operates the third-largest heart surgery program in Pennsylvania, performing over 1,200 open-heart procedures annually, and maintains one of the state's largest cancer centers treating over 2,400 new patients each year. In August 2024, LVHN completed a merger with Jefferson Health, becoming part of a larger healthcare system with 32 hospitals and over 700 locations across Pennsylvania. Prior to the merger, LVHN was the largest employer in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan region, with approximately 20,000 employees dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community.