CV Directions Vol. 2, No. 2 | Page 19

CV  Clinical Advancement  Components for Success • • • • • • • • • • Years of experience Additional education training and certification( beyond job requirement) Recommendation by peers Research Staff education Continuing Education Leadership activities Clinical Champion Unit based, evidence-based practice projects that will align with department goals. Mentorship/preceptorship Maintenance governance, physicians, human resources, administrators, and educators. Following the development of the program, a detailed proposal was submitted to the unit-based shared governance council, followed by the human resources department. Subsequently, the clinical advancement program for the Specialists was endorsed by the executive leadership of the organization. A focus group, led by the Clinical Nurse Specialist, consisting of a Specialist, a registered nurse, and a Cath Lab Manager was formed to implement, evaluate, and maintain the clinical advancement program in the department. The program was formally introduced to the Specialists at a monthly staff meeting. A clinical ladder page was added to the department’s internal website as a hub for information and communication regarding the new program. Currently, several qualified specialists have recognized the value of the program and are pursuing the opportunity for professional and salary advancement. Staff members are the most valuable resource that an organization can retain. Professional advancement programs are essential for developing specialists professionally and personally. This program promotes productivity, staff versatility, enhances staff retention and morale, as well as, job satisfaction and cost reduction. This innovative practice supports health care change by retaining qualified staff to improve overall quality patient outcomes, as well as, enhancing cost efficiency and organizational goals. CV DIRECTIONS VOL. 2, NO. 2 Developing effective monitoring practices that will focus on: • Negative/positive feedback • Low/high volume of staff members advancing • Misinterpretation of content • Decreasing internal/external challenges • Increasing staff satisfaction Benefits Employee • Job enjoyment and satisfaction • Opportunity for organizational/departmental recognition • Monetary incentive • Networking/mentorship Organization/Department • Retention of high performing employee • Decreased cost • Opportunity to introduce evidence-based practice in the clinical setting • Departmental recognition (this would be one of very few organizations that have a ladder program for cardiovascular specialist). • Physician satisfaction • Culture change Patient • Improved outcomes as a result of expertise care from the specialist and utilizing evidence based practice • Satisfaction with care • Reduction of healthcare cost for patients 19