Senior Orientation & Competency Specialist RN

Salary range : $114,000 - $170,000

ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE : Senior Orientation & Competency Specialist RN

REPORTS TO POSITION : Clinical Education Leader

DEPARTMENT : Clinical Education

DATE LAST REVIEWED : September 2025

OUR VISION : Creating America's healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION : In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES : Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY : The Clinical Education Department is a system-wide support service that provides education, clinical practice support, and professional development opportunities for nursing, allied health, medical staff, and community partners at St. Charles Health System.

This integrated department delivers services across multiple domains, including :

• Clinical Practice & Professional Development (CPPD) : Onboarding / Orientation, Competency Management, Continuing Education, Professional Role Development, Collaborative Partnerships, and American Heart Association Training Center.
• Medical Education : Graduate and undergraduate medical education, residency and fellowship programs, student clinical rotations, and partnerships with academic institutions.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) : Accredited continuing education programming for medical staff, ensuring alignment with national standards and maintenance of licensure requirements.
• Medical Library : Provision of evidence-based resources, research support, and clinical information services.
• Area Health Education Center (AHEC) : Collaboration with community partners to strengthen the healthcare workforce pathway in Central Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

POSITION OVERVIEW :

The Senior Orientation & Competency Specialist RN leads the strategic development and implementation of orientation and competency programs across clinical departments. Designs curriculum aligned with organizational goals, evaluates learning outcomes, and drives continuous improvement in staff readiness and performance.

The role assesses, designs, develops, implements, and evaluates, in collaboration with subject matter experts and leadership, the following programs : Clinical Orientation (in person and online), Competency Management, and Just in Time training. This position serves a key role in working with leaders to ensure that all clinical caregivers are meeting regulatory, legal, and accreditation standards and requirements.

This position does not directly manage other caregivers, however may be asked to review and provide feedback on the work of other caregivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES :

Designs and evaluates orientation curricula.

Develops competency frameworks and validation tools.

Engages in peer review and feedback processes with interdisciplinary education partners to promote consistency, quality, and best practices across all clinical education initiatives.

Analyzes data to improve program effectiveness.

Partners with leadership to align education with quality and safety goals.

Plans, implements, and oversees clinical orientation, and training to ensure staff are fully prepared and compliant with all state, federal, organizational, and accrediting-body requirements at St. Charles Health System.

Works with leaders to fulfill "just-in-time" education and training requests using appropriate modalities while assigning appropriate credit types.

Works in collaboration with leaders and subject matter experts to create, track, and ensure that competencies for each clinical role within the organization are up-to-date and completed within the required timeframe.

Will review and validate clinical education content for eLearning and curriculum design consistent with a Master's-level preparation in nursing education. Identifies and obtains peer review from qualified subject matter experts or physicians for materials exceeding this scope of expertise.

Maintains current knowledge of regulatory, legal, and accreditation requirements for initial and ongoing competencies and training for all clinical staff.

Regularly reviews data and program outcomes to identify areas for improvement.

Supports the vision, mission, and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports the Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients, and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization's corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and / or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient, and accurate.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION :

Required : Master's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. Certificate in Nursing Education or equivalent preparation or experience in nursing education.

Preferred : Master's degree in nursing education from an accredited college or university.

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION / REGISTRATION :

Required : Current license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Oregon by the OR State Board of Nursing.

Current American Heart Association (AHA) Provider BLS or obtain certification within 90 days of hire.

Preferred : ANPD specialty certification, Clinical Nursing specialty certification.

EXPERIENCE

Required : Six (6) years of progressively responsible nursing experience. Three (3) years as a Nurse Educator at unit or hospital system level or other equivalent experience. Experience with various teaching methodologies, accrediting bodies for nursing excellence (ANCC), shared governance, clinical professional advancement systems required.

Preferred : Program management experience. Familiarity with ACCME standards for teaching physicians and advanced practice providers.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION :

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

General

Apply the nursing code of ethics, professional guidelines, and Nursing Professional Development Specialist standards to practice.

Serve as a resource for employees and function as an educator, leader, mentor, consultant, facilitator, change agent, researcher, advocate, and champion of scientific inquiry.

Plan, implement, evaluate, and revise professional development and continuing education programs for nursing and allied health staff at both unit and organizational levels.

Design curricula and programs that integrate sound education principles, adult learning theory, evidence-based practice, measurable outcomes, and accreditation standards.

Assess and document clinical competencies, identifying strengths, limitations, and development needs at the individual and unit level.

Apply knowledge of current nursing and allied health standards, theories, emerging practices, and healthcare systems.

Maintain expertise in applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, hospital policies, professional ethics, and patient privacy rights.

Demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology, patient care principles, medications, safety practices, and health promotion / disease prevention.

Effectively use computer systems, educational technology, and project management tools.

Collaborate across departments and external partners (e.g., Supply Chain, Leadership & Culture, HR, Infection Prevention, CME, Research, Regulatory, Legal, AHEC) to meet clinical education needs.

Communication / Interpersonal

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse population and professionally represent SCHS.

Ability to effectively interact and communicate with all levels within SCHS and external customers / clients / potential employees.

Strong teamwork and collaborative skills.

Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Organizational

Ability to multi-task and work independently.

Attention to detail.

Excellent organizational skills, written and oral communication, and customer service skills, particularly in dealing with stressful personal interactions.

Strong analytical, problem solving and decision making skills.

Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.

Computer

Demonstrated ability and experience in computer applications, use of electronic medical record keeping systems and MS Office, Database management.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Continually (75% or more) : Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%) : Sitting, standing, walking, lifting 1-10 pounds, keyboard operation.

Occasionally (25%) : Bending, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, carrying / pushing or pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping / squeezing.

Rarely (10%) : Stooping / kneeling / crouching, lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling 11-15 pounds, operation of a motor vehicle.

Never (0%) : Climbing ladder / step-stool, lifting / carrying / pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, ability to hear whispered speech level.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Never (0%) : Heat, cold, wet / slippery area, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

No Risk for Exposure to BBP

Schedule Weekly Hours :

40

Caregiver Type : Regular

Shift :

First Shift (United States of America)

Is Exempt Position?

Yes

Job Family :

NON CONTRACT RN SPECIALIST

Scheduled Days of the Week :

Monday-Friday

Shift Start & End Time :

8 : 00am - 5 : 00pm