Developmental Nurse Specialist, Pediatric CCU

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Day Evening (United States of America)

Location

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Job Description

Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years of RN or CNS practice time with some previous education experience desired, and a Pediatric or Neonatal ICU background.

Must have the flexibiity to come in on a weekend for family education if required, but no reqularly scheduled weekends.

General Summary:           

The Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) Developmental Nurse Specialist demonstrates clinical expertise in the physical, developmental, psychosocial, and educational aspects of CCU care. The CCU Developmental Nurse Specialist serves as a resource for and works collaboratively with families, nursing, and the multidisciplinary CCU team in meeting children’s developmental and complex discharge needs through coordination of inpatient developmental services and psychosocial services at discharge. The CCU Developmental Nurse Specialist focuses specifically on children at highest risk for neurodevelopmental delays and mental health concerns. The CCU Developmental Nurse Specialist also actively supports the hospital’s/department’s continuous quality improvement and customer service goals, individually and as an effective team member.

Essential Job Functions:

• In partnership with the developmental therapy team, develops and evaluates individualized developmental plans for children in the CCU in collaboration with families and the cardiac team.  Developmental goals and plans are designed to positively contribute to treatment plan.

• Monitor, track, and document discharge education progress. Partner with medical team and nursing team on discharge planning and coordination. 

• Identifies risk factors and refers children for developmental follow up and early intervention services at discharge.

• Fosters and builds the developmental knowledge and skill base of the CCU caregiving staff including the family via formal and informal education tailored towards their specific learning style and needs.

• Incorporates families into the education process concerning infant and childhood development, individual treatment plans for their children, and necessary discharge education and training.

• Partners with both the Early Childhood and Child & Adolescent NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program (NCNP) to ensure a smooth transition from inpatient to outpatient developmental and academic services.

• Leads and supports staff in adapting to unit changes necessary to implement a developmentally supportive CCU environment.

• Develops and participates in programs which support a family-centered CCU environment.

• Maintains professional expertise through regular participation in professional organizations and continuing education programs.

• Initiates and/or collaborates in QI projects or research designed to improve developmentally supportive care and developmental outcomes for infants and children with cardiac disease and their families both within Lurie Children’s and on a national level.

• Regularly networks with colleagues at various levels to establish, monitor, and maintain standards for defining and integrating family-centered, developmentally supportive care in the CCU.

• Works with CCU Leadership and with the nursing clinical governance committee structure to address clinical practice issues, participate in performance improvement processes and support unit/hospital initiatives.

• Other job functions as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of nursing; Master’s degree preferred. 

• Current licensure as a registered professional nurse in the state of Illinois.  APN/CNS license or experience and preparation consistent with same preferred.

• Advanced knowledge in the areas of infant and childhood behavioral functioning, normal and atypical childhood development, medical/surgical conditions of the children cared for in the CCU, impact of medical care on human development, ecology of the CCU