The Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist provides leadership, clinical expertise and skills used within three major spheres of focus: patient/family, nurses and nursing practice, and organization /system related to the care of the psychiatric patient population. The CNS is accountable for collaborating with members of the health care team to design, implement and measure safe, cost-effective, evidence-based care strategies to solve challenging patient care issues. The Enterprise Psychiatric CNS will be responsible for coordinating Quality of Care and Performance Improvement for the psychiatric patient population across all sites including VCU Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Richmond, Tappahannock Hospital, Community Memorial Hospital and Ambulatory.

Essential Job Statements

Professional practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist 

Evaluates and provides evidence-based care, treatment, and consultation for patients with unique or complex health concerns within specialty scope of practice, utilizing advanced assessment skills 

Develops treatment plans and provides education/coaching to patients and families with complex needs 

Performs designated procedures after demonstrated competency, according to written standardized procedures where applicable

Prescribes and recommends pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions within the APP CNS’s scope of practice, and consistent with the APP CNSs skill, training, competence, professional judgment

Uses advanced communication skills through role modeling, consultation, and education to facilitate collaboration among patient, family, and clinicians to address complex care needs and promote ethical decision-making 

In collaboration with patients/families and inter-professional team, leads and facilitates coordinated care for individuals and populations to improve and promote health care outcomes 

Acts as a clinical resource, utilizing both formal and informal opportunities for the education and coaching of nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team

Creates and develops evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols, and best practice models/guidelines using advance clinical and specialty knowledge

Adheres to Virginia Board of Nursing and/or Medicine, national certifying organizations, and institutional continuing education requirements necessary to maintain professional licensure, DEA registration (as applicable), and Advanced Practice certification and practice agreements (as applicable)

Advocates for equitable healthcare by active participation in professional organizations and public policy initiatives

Actively pursues own professional growth and development via opportunities at local, regional and national level

Provide leadership in nursing clinical practice

Cultivates a practice environment in which mutual respect, communication, and collaboration contribute to safe, quality outcomes

Demonstrates leadership abilities in the development, mentorship, and empowerment of others within the healthcare community

Promotes the professional practice of the Advanced Practice group through responsible interfaces with the public and health care community

Promote quality in nursing clinical practice

Participates in, supports, and leads quality improvement initiatives to advance patient care delivery and improve outcomes through best practice implementation 

Drives translation of best evidence into practice and facilitates integration of multiple programs and disciplines across the healthcare system to ensure positive patient outcomes

Evaluates the implications of access, quality, safety, and cost on the delivery of healthcare

Collects and analyzes patient data to document the impact of nursing practice on outcomes, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness

Engage in development, translation, assessment, and dissemination of nursing clinical practice

Pursues opportunities for active engagement in research, research implementation, and analysis of evidence-based practice

Mentors nurses and nursing staff to analyze research findings that affect nursing practice and patient outcomes 

Disseminates specialty knowledge through outreach to the public and the Advanced Practice community at local, state, and/or national forums 

Patient Population

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.  

Employment Qualifications

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree, Nursing
Master’s, accredited CNS program

Preferred Education:

Doctorate, Nursing

Licensing/ Certification

Licensure/Certification Required:

Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible compact state
Current APRN licensure in Virginia for CNS
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) 
Licensure/Certification Preferred:

Certification in specialty area

Minimum Qualifications

Years and Type of Required Experience

Minimum five (5) years nursing experience in psychiatric nursing  

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Ability to manage administrative and leadership tasks while also providing excellent patient care
Ability to work and maintain confidentiality of patient, patient account and personnel information
Willingness to embrace and lead change when change is necessary, and ability to effectively communicate and work with teams and administration
Ability to work as a team player
Customer Service and community engagement
Excellent organizational, analytical, verbal and written communication skills
Must possess knowledge of local, federal and state laws and regulations and The Joint Commission (TJC) standards related to position’s chief objective and demonstrate aptitude for compliance with VCUHS policies, procedures, and customer service philosophy.
Exceptional patient care and service skills
 

Cultural Responsiveness

Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

Experience in an Academic Medical Center, 2 years within an inpatient psychiatric setting

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

General office environment.

Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids. *

May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials. * 

May have periods of constant interruptions.

Prolonged periods of working alone.

Workday Day (United States of America)

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.