The Clinical Nurse Specialist is a Master's prepared Registered Nurse. Through advanced educational & clinical experience, the CNS is an expert in a specialized area in nursing. The CNS serves as a role model for excellence in nurse knowledge and clinical practice. The CNS role is organized around four major functions: clinical practitioner/consultant, leadership, educator and researcher.

1. Implements components of direct and indirect care to patients requiring advanced clinical expertise of sophisticated problem solving abilities. Guides the nursing staff in developing care plans for patients who have complex needs or whose needs require complex interventions. Provides expert nursing consultation and practice oversight in areas including critical care, neuro-critical care and stroke. Collaborates with patients, families and health care providers in achieving optimal patient outcomes.
2. Chairs and/or participates in hospital wide and interdepartmental committees as assigned. Utilizes collected performance improvement data to communicate opportunities to improve outcomes. Complies with regulatory requirements. Supports the delivery of care through evidence-based acute stroke assessment and management. Functions as a resource person to the nursing staff as requested and identified. Partners with the psychiatrists to deliver treatment to patients.
3. Promotes professional development of staff. Plans, develops, promotes and conducts nursing educational programs and in-service activities, continuing education programs related to critical care, neuro-critical care, and acute stroke, policy and procedure review and determined unit competencies.
4. Initiates nursing practice changes based on the latest evidence and research. Plans educational activities based on quality outcomes, participation in the performance improvement process, and needs of staff. Identifies clinical nursing problems relevant for study or examination and participates in the systematic investigation of selected clinical research problems and studies including critical care, neuro-critical care and comprehensive stroke research. 5. Coordinates, implements and evaluates the education programs and other unit initiatives.
6. Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
7. Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Master's degree in nursing.

2. At least 3 years of related nursing experience.

3. Experience with related equipment including but not limited to mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring and other life sustaining equipment.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

1. Previous teaching or education background.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. NJ State Professional Registered Nurse License.

2. AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

1. Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist License.

2. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification.