At Houston Methodist, the Nursing Professional Practice Leader I (PPL I) position is an entry-level nursing professional development position and primarily practices in a specific department or service-line environment, with focus on the growth of individuals and groups within a nursing specialty. This position is progressively building knowledge and skill in Nursing Professional Development (NPD) responsibilities. The PPL I position is a subject matter expert and serves as a clinical resource and clinical coach. The role collaborates with leadership and interdisciplinary partners to ensure the standard of care is met and/or exceeded, stated goals and outcomes are achieved, learning is facilitated in areas of need, and resources are provided for staff growth. This position is an NPD practitioner who, as guided by the organization's mission and vision, facilitates ongoing learning, change, and role competence and growth through engaging with learners in the following areas of responsibility including inquiry, competency management, orientation/onboarding, role development, and education. In each area of responsibility, the PPL I position may assume the role of learning facilitator, change agent, mentor, champion of inquiry, advocate for NPD specialty, and a partner for practice transitions.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes an environment which is conducive to ongoing professional learning, to advance individual, departmental, organization, or system-level goals. Strives to support role transitions, clinical ladder advancement, professional certification, and excellence recognition programs.

• Engages in department and entity shared governance groups to drive professional development initiatives and achieve optimal results. Coaches departmental staff to seek growth opportunities through participation in departmental and entity-based activities. Collaborates with interdisciplinary partners on specialty initiatives.

• Engages as a clinical resource. Communicates effectively with individuals, collaborators, and as part of a group. Utilizes peer-to-peer accountability towards improvement of employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Applies the education process through completion of an assessment, identification of practice gaps (including lack of knowledge, skill, or inability to translate knowledge into practice), identification of desired outcomes, planning, facilitation of learning, and an evaluation. Addresses needs identified in the annual departmental needs assessment, or established practice gaps identified through departmental observation, event reporting, or measured outcomes. Ensures department staff remain practice ready with changes in policy, procedures, standards, technology, and/or new equipment.

• Participates in orientation of department new hires, and those in practice transition programs, by providing education, guidance, feedback, and competency evaluation.

• Engages in problem solving with interdisciplinary department stakeholders to enhance patient care. Reports professional development initiative outcome measures to relevant stakeholders and engage in action planning, as necessary to meet learner needs and address effectiveness.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with department/service-line leadership, quality team, and/or other stakeholders to create an action plan in quality improvement initiatives. Engages in department Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

• Participates in initial and ongoing competency assessments, utilizing a variety of validation methods, and guided by appliable standards and evidence. Shares competency assessments with departmental leadership and engages in collaborative planning to promote independent, high-quality practice.

• Integrates evidence-based practice, instructional technology, and adult learning theory into educational offerings. Participates in performance improvement projects.

• Evaluates practice through knowledge of applicable professional scope and standards, policies and procedures, and regulatory standards, to ensure practice quality.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Initiative-taking to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks to meet the needs of clinical areas and department.

• Positively impacts finance outcomes through efficient utilization of resources and makes appropriate recommendations. Reports variation in anticipated needs or expected resource utilization.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a spirit of inquiry by applying evidence-based practice and research in patient care. Participates in inquiry projects and consistently seeks to broaden related knowledge base.

• Provides resources for staff to meet individually identified needs and facilitate professional growth.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited school of Nursing

• Master's degree in education field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years nursing clinical experience

• Nursing professional development experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure -- Compact Licensure - Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) AND
• Magnet ANCC-recognized certification (HM) within 6 months

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Instructor (AHA) OR
• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support or Instructor (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Acts as an effective change agent

• Ability to apply evidence-based practice

• Demonstrates ability to plan, organize, and follow through on assignments and/or projects

• Exhibits leadership abilities including collaboration, consultation, and coaching skills

• Demonstrates proficient time management skills

• Ability to utilize adult learning theory; knowledge of current educational technologies

• Maintains knowledge of electronic resources, including Microsoft applications

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.