Advanced Practice Nursing | Concentrations| Academic Programs | Current Students

Sample CNS job description (hospital based)

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) functions in the role of expert clinician, educator, consultant, case manager, and researcher. In collaboration witht he medical staff and nursing staff, the CNS monitors the clinical care of patients and provides clinical support to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Incorporated within each of these role functions, the CNS is a role model, patient advocate, change agent, leader, and cost-effective practitioner.

EXPERT CLINICIAN:

1. Develops and assists in the implementation of nursing care plans and standards specific to the needs of the patient.
2. Assists and provides direction to nursing staff with clinical decision making and priority setting.
3. Models excellence in nursing practice through the utilization of advanced concepts in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of perceived, actual or potential problems that occur in a variety of patient populations.
4. Functions a sa facilitator and innovator for state-of-the-art nursing care with direct involvement in implementing and evaluating new techniques and equipment for safety, cost-effectiveness, and benefits related to nursing practice.
5. Completes history and physical on patients as indicated.
6. Writes medical orders per established protocols.
7. Provides approved clinical services, including removal of sutures, and complex wound care.
8. Performs daily rounds on asigned physician patients. Assesses the health status of assigned patients by collecting and analyzing patient data and evaluating the appropriateness of care.

EDUCATOR:

1. Assists patients, their sigificant others, and family in the acquisition of information related to health and wellness, including the prevention of illness and injury.
2. Serves as a resource to nursing staff, nursing students, and other health care personnel in the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to nursing knowledge.
3. Develops and implements educational information, materials, and programs for discharge planning and teaching of health care consumers.
4. Contributes to profesional nursing literature by publishing scholarly works.
5. Contributes to nursing education as a faculty member.

RESEARCHER:

1. Expands the scientific base of nursing practice by conducting and facilitating nursing research.
2. Disseminates research findings through presentations and publications.
3. Critically analyzes current nursing research methods and results for utilization in the expansion and improvement of patient care and patient outcomes.

CONSULTANT:

1. Collaborates with clinical nurses and other members of the health care team to problem solve complex clinical situations for specialty needs of patients.
2. Collaborates with clinical nurses and other members of the health care team to problem solve complex clinical situations for special system needs.