Clinical Nurse Specialist

Ascension seeks a Clinical Nurse Specialist to advance evidence-based nursing practice, mentor staff, and improve patient outcomes across our compassionate, community-focused care settings. In this role, you will function as an expert clinician, educator, and change agent-conducting complex patient assessments, designing and evaluating care plans, and leading quality and safety initiatives. You will collaborate with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary teams to implement best practices, support staff development, and drive innovation that enhances patient experience and clinical excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced clinical assessment and expert consultation for complex patients across assigned units or service lines.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based care plans and clinical pathways to improve patient outcomes.
• Serve as an educator and mentor for nursing staff, supporting onboarding, competency development, and ongoing clinical education.
• Lead and participate in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, using data to identify gaps and track outcomes.
• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to standardize best practices and optimize care coordination.
• Promote adherence to regulatory, accreditation, and clinical practice standards within the assigned specialty area.
• Use electronic health records (EHR) and clinical data to monitor trends, outcomes, and performance indicators.
• Support implementation of new clinical technologies, protocols, and practice innovations.
• Advocate for patients and families by enhancing patient education, engagement, and overall care experience.
• Contribute to policy, procedure, and guideline development that supports high-quality, equitable care.

Required Skills

• Advanced clinical assessment
• Care plan development
• Patient and family education
• Evidence-based practice implementation
• Quality improvement methodologies
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Clinical staff training and mentoring
• Electronic health records (EHR) proficiency
• Data collection and outcome analysis
• Regulatory and clinical standards compliance