Clinical Nurse Leader - 4-day work week no weekends/holidays

Position Location:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Work Shift:

Department:

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!

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.

COMPETENCIES

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

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Experience

• Clinical nursing experience with demonstrated expertise in caring for the defined patient population served. Experience working collaboratively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and providing point-of-care leadership 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 authorizes  practice in Connecticut.
• Current certification in a related specialty preferred. Wound care certification (e.g., WOCN, CWOCN, or equivalent) preferred. If not currently certified, the 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; the ability to evaluate patient outcomes and clinical processes; and proficiency with PC-based software, including Microsoft Office applications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Job requires continuous periods of walking, standing, bending, and 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  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 a 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.

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 Practice and Care Coordination

• Serves as the expert clinician, patient advocate, and first point of contact for nursing staff on complex patient care situations and concerns.
• Coordinates care with medical providers, respiratory therapists, and other interdisciplinary team members, with a focus on safe transitions and continuity of care.
• Collects and analyzes patient outcome data to evaluate and improve plans of care.
• May assume a patient assignment, which may include high-complexity patients.
• Functions as team leader and patient advocate.
• Demonstrates motivation to lead change and improve healthcare outcomes.

Wound Care and Skin Integrity

• Serves as the unit-based subject matter expert for wound care and skin integrity, providing consultation and oversight for prevention, assessment, and treatment.
• Partners with nursing staff and providers to ensure evidence-based wound care interventions; evaluates treatment plans and recommends adjustments as clinically indicated.
• Leads unit-level wound care quality initiatives, including prevention strategies, outcome monitoring, and adherence to evidence-based standards.

Unit Operations

• Oversees unit operations during the assigned shift and ensures staff assignments are safe and appropriate based on patient needs and staff experience and qualifications.
• Ensures safe and efficient patient flow, including admissions and discharges.
• Monitors staffing levels during the assigned shift and works with the staffing office to address gaps or adjust resources as patient needs change.
• Promotes cost-effective use of supplies, equipment, and staffing resources during the assigned shift in support of department financial goals.

Staff Development and Performance

• Serves as a resource, educator, and role model for nursing staff and promotes continuous learning.
• Provides real-time coaching and feedback to staff on clinical practice and communicates performance concerns to unit leadership.
• Facilitates effective interprofessional communication and teamwork.

Quality, Safety, and Evidence-Based Practice

• Conducts risk assessments to identify opportunities to reduce errors and improve patient safety and quality.
• Designs and implements improvement projects that address clinical challenges and improve efficiency and safety.
• Leads implementation of evidence-based best practices and participates in evaluating new products, equipment, and technologies and provides clinical input on their use at the point of care.
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COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

At Hospital for Special Care, we are committed to supporting the health, financial well-being, and professional growth of our team members. The wage range for this position is $41.38 to $64.12. Eligible employees may participate in a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-subsidized medical and dental, vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement savings plan with an employer match of up to 6%; paid time off; employer-paid life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions; Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA); an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities; voluntary benefits, including pet insurance; employee wellness programs with access to our onsite fitness and aquatics center; an employee referral bonus program; and meaningful employee recognition and appreciation initiatives. Eligibility for certain benefits is based on scheduled hours worked.