Clinical Mentor, Nursing Professional Practice - Birth Unit

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Policy & Nursing Enhancements, the Clinical Mentor is in place to support the professional development of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in a specific clinical area at IWK Health, through demonstration of expert clinical knowledge and skills. This role has a special focus on mentorship and provides point of care assistance and support to all nurses to ensure they develop and maintain the competencies required in the clinical area where they practice. By drawing on their clinical knowledge and experience, the Clinical Mentor provides a positive learning environment that supports safe and independent professional nursing practice. The Clinical Mentor facilitates the supportive application of existing and new clinical knowledge and the translation of knowledge into practice. 

Clinical Mentors are role models who foster enthusiasm for learning and nursing professional practice and take a leadership role in promoting/facilitating a team environment that is patient and family-centered, supports interprofessional practice and supports the development of novice to expert practitioners. The Clinical Mentor acts as a role model, teacher/coach, facilitator, and guide for all nurses, and ensures that the learning and mentorship experiences are flexible, supportive of varied styles of learning, and take into consideration the competency level of the nurses. The Clinical Mentor demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development and fosters an environment that promotes individual leadership and accountability. They display innovation and creativity in the performance of the role by utilizing a variety of strategies and resources to support individual nurses’ and teams’ needs. 

In collaboration with other health care team members, the Clinical Mentors will assume the following overall roles:

• Role Model – Consistently interacts professionally with other nurses, staff, physicians, learners, patients and families so nurses will observe the way the Clinical Mentor responds and practices in the clinical setting.
• Teacher/Coach – Consistently shares their clinical knowledge and skills with other nurses. The Clinical Mentor will work to enhance nurses’ knowledge through various mechanisms using adult-learning principles and provide real-time feedback in a supportive manner. 
• Facilitator – Will draw on their expertise and experience as a nurse to assist other nurses in achieving their professional development and learning goals. The Clinical Mentor will achieve facilitation in the clinical area by being collaborative, providing and reviewing resources available, assisting in planning workload, utilizing effective open communication strategies, maintaining a positive attitude, and providing ongoing feedback to staff. 
• Guide – Through partnership with the nurses, Clinical Leader of Operations and the Clinical Leaders of Development, the Clinical Mentors will advocate for and support appropriate learning experiences. The Clinical Mentors will support nurses’ professional development by providing staff with opportunities to learn and practice clinical skills and professional growth through advancement of career opportunities.  

The Clinical Mentor practices according to the Registered Nurses Act, the Nova Scotia College of Nurses, and to the Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses. 

Hours of Work

Tuesday - Friday, 0700 – 1700h

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing required.
• Registered, or eligible to be registered, with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) required.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ recent clinical nursing experience required. 
• Minimum of three (3) years’ recent nursing experience on Birth Unit required. 
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience as a preceptor required.
• Minimum one (1) year Early Labour and Assessment Unit (ELAU) experience required.
• Current successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support Level (BLS) Program within the last 12 months, or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate, required.
• ACLS an asset.
• Skilled in adult learning principles and an educational approach to learning.
• Proven team building and leadership skills.
• Demonstrates understanding of the provincial legislation that regulates nursing practice in Nova Scotia and the Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice that guide and support nursing practice.
• Demonstrates ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with groups and individuals.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrates strong problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Time management and organization skills required.
• Works independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates commitment in professional growth and leadership.
• Competencies in other languages an asset.
   

Where there are no qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the clinical area, consideration may be given to Registered Nurses without the required experience.