At Houston Methodist, the Professional Development Leader position is responsible for the development, coordination, implementation, evaluation and revision of activities/programs aimed at orientation, competency/skills validation, and facilitating ongoing professional growth of nurses and interprofessional colleagues across the entity/system. This position is also responsible for the facilitation of learning which incorporates educational design including the use of technology and simulation, adult learning principles, change management, and evidence-based practice into curriculum development in accordance with Houston Methodist policies and procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. The Professional Development Leader position serves as a mentor and a resource/consultant across all units/departments/organization/system, as assigned.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department/organization/system results. Serves as a leadership resource and a consultant across units/departments/entity/system as assigned.

• Builds interprofessional relationships to effectively collaborate with multiple departments to enhance professional practice and performance through involvement in shared governance.

• Serves as a role model and mentor of others in the development of evidence-based decision-making. Coaches staff to grow in knowledge, abilities, skills, and attitudes across the continuum of professional development.

• Uses peer-to-peer accountability towards improvement of department score for turnover/retention/employee engagement on unit-based scorecard.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts system/organizational assessments and analyzes results (utilizing unit metrics, nursing dashboards/scorecards, interprofessional rounds, accreditation recommendations, patient satisfaction scores, nursing satisfaction scores, and staff surveys) to develop strategic plans and leads activities/initiatives to meet needs.

• Accountable for activities/program(s) including the development, implementation, evaluation, outcomes and revisions/redesigns including on-time reports with actionable items.

• Ensures accessibility and availability of education programs to appropriate staff. Ensures the educational programs/offerings meet/exceed the customer's expectations.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads and facilitates project/program initiatives to ensure continuous improvement. Collaborates with departments and other stakeholders to provide/integrate educational services to promote unparalleled patient safety and quality outcomes.

• Proactively identifies, facilitates/leads and implements research, evidence-based practice and/or performance improvement projects.

• Ensures activity/program integrity by incorporating evidence-based practices, change management principles and current educational theory in designing programs/services.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with leadership to develop programs/services and curricula, within the approved budget with recognition of return on investment and/or cost avoidance. Appropriately allocates and utilizes resources.

• Role models and drives time and resources efficiently. Implements solutions to achieve organizational objectives that lead to a positive financial impact.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a spirit of inquiry by utilizing research and the dissemination of new knowledge to advance clinical practice and patient care. Participates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of standards of nursing care that affect nursing practice.

• Develops proposals for implementation of new programs, projects, and/or nursing research, facilitating growth using innovative techniques, teaching strategies and learning methodologies.

• Expands individual nursing knowledge, completing and updating the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis. Develops and disseminates, as appropriate, informational/educational resources and programs designed to improve quality and professional practice.

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 and Master's degree, one from an accredited School of Nursing

• Master`s degree education field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years clinical nursing experience and

• Two years in a professional development role

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure within 60 days OR

• RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure within 60 days AND

• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND

• Magnet - ANCC Recognized Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA) AND

• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going 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 effective change agent

• Strong assessment, organizational and problem solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components

• Demonstrates expert time management skills

• Ability to facilitate a working team

• Ability to assess learning/skill/practice gaps and facilitate creation of learning opportunities to bridge gaps

• Supports staff in combining innovation and technology

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No

• Scrubs No

• 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

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 267-bed, 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center; Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services; wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower — a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women’s services, and provided nine operating rooms. The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.

Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.