Blue Ridge Hospice -
JOIN THE BLUE RIDGE HOSPICE TEAM!
WHY JOIN US: Founded in 1981, Blue Ridge Hospice provides high-quality and compassionate serious illness and end-of-life care and grief support services throughout a 2,200-square-mile service area in the northern Shenandoah Valley and northwestern Virginia. With a mission of brightening lifes journey for all whom we are privileged to serve, and a strategic goal to grow and expand our services to continue meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the community, Blue Ridge is Caring for life.
Our core values dignity, integrity, teamwork, innovation, diversity, and excellence not only reflect our commitment to our patients and families, but also represent our dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture that encourages staff to embrace creativity, work together, practice empathy and compassion with each other, and utilize professional growth opportunities. At Blue Ridge, we call our staff Future Makers everyone contributes to our collective organizational excellence and success, and ultimately the continued delivery of the life-changing
care and services we provide those we serve.
EDUCATION SPECIALIST RN-POSITION SUMMARY
The Education Specialist is a key hospice care team member responsible for assisting with developing and delivering comprehensive educational programs for staff, patients, their families, and community partners. This role focuses on enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in hospice care, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Education Specialist will collaborate with and assist the Director of Compliance, Quality, and Education and the Manager of Training and Education to design curriculum, conduct training sessions, and provide ongoing support and mentorship.
EDUCATION SPECIALIST RN- DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in designing and creating educational materials, training programs, and workshops for hospice staff, patients, and families.
- Ensure that all educational content is up-to-date, evidence-based, and aligned with best-known practices in hospice care in collaboration with the Manager of Training and Education.
- Assist in facilitating orientation sessions for new hospice staff, including clinical and non-clinical staff (e.g., nurses, aides, chaplains, thrift associates, warehouse drivers, etc.).
- Assist in facilitating training sessions for new and existing hospice staff.
- Assist with employee and occupational health for new and existing clinical and non-clinical staff.
- Ability to administer injections by subcutaneous and intramuscular routes and perform venipuncture using the best-known practices.
- Assist in providing ongoing education and training to existing staff to ensure they remain knowledgeable about current hospice care standards and practices in collaboration with the Manager of Training and Education.
- Identify staff learning needs through assessments and evaluations and tailor training programs accordingly with the Manager of Training and Education.
- Assist in developing and delivering educational resources and sessions for patients and their caregivers to help them understand hospice care, symptom management, and end-of-life care options.
- Ensure all educational programs comply with state and federal regulations, accreditation standards, and organizational policies and procedures.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs, reporting necessary adjustments to the Manager of Training and Education to improve outcomes and compliance.
- Assist with internal audits and surveys, including hospice admission audits, audits related to patient safety events, and any other audits as needed to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains, to integrate education into comprehensive care plans.
- Act as a liaison between the Compliance, Quality, and Education department and other hospice services to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care.
- Serve as a resource for staff, facilities, and families, providing expert advice and support on hospice care issues.
- Mentor and support staff in their professional development, helping them to achieve their career goals within the hospice field.
- Assist as needed with processing service failures and incidents effectively, ensuring prompt resolution and maintaining a positive, patient-centered experience.
- Lead by example, demonstrating compassionate, patient-centered care in all educational activities, including conducting The Perfect Visit, Perfect Documentation, and Perfect Phones.
- Stay current with advancements in hospice care, nursing education, and training methodologies.
- Participate in professional development opportunities and share new knowledge with the hospice team.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of hospice care practices through research, feedback, and innovative educational strategies.
- Maintain accurate records of all training activities, including attendance, outcomes, and feedback.
- Prepare reports on the impact of educational programs and present findings to the Manager of Training and Education.
- Document and report any issues related to staff competency or compliance with training requirements.
- Possesses the expertise to assist the organization with preparing and coordinating accreditation processes, including compiling necessary documentation, facilitating on-site reviews, and ensuring compliance with state and accreditation survey requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION SPECIALIST RN-ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in Virginia.
- Certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing (CHPN) preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical nursing experience in hospice or palliative care.
- Previous experience in nursing education, staff development, or a similar role.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering educational programs and training sessions.
- Deep understanding of hospice care principles, including pain and symptom management, end-of-life care, and emotional support for patients and families.
- Familiarity with state and federal regulations governing hospice care.
- Ability to assess staff competencies and identify educational needs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex clinical information clearly and effectively.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team and establish rapport with patients, families, and staff.
- Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care and education.
- Proven ability to create engaging and informative educational content.
- Experience delivering training to both small and large groups, in-person and virtually.
- Ability to adapt teaching methods to different learning styles and educational levels.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Detail-oriented with excellent time management skills to ensure timely delivery of educational programs.
- Proficient in the use of electronic medical records (EMR) systems.
- Comfortable using various educational technologies and platforms for creating and delivering training materials.