ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: RN Ongoing Certifications Specialist
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
DEPARTMENTAL 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:
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Ongoing Certifications Specialist RN develops, implements, and oversees, in collaboration with subject matter experts and leadership the following programs: TNCC, AHA Training Center, RQI System, Procedural Skills courses, simulations, and mannequin management for all clinical areas within SCHS to meet the needs of SCHS.
This position does not directly manage other caregivers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
Recruits and coordinates contracted instructors for TNCC, AHA courses, and other Clinical Education facilitated classes.
Serves as the designated coordinator for the American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center, overseeing course scheduling, instructor support, and issuance of certification cards in compliance with AHA guidelines.
Supports Resuscitation Quality Improvement Program (RQI)® functions, including caregiver registration, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting in collaboration with RQI Support.
Designs, implements, and facilitates experiential learning programs using simulation equipment and mannequins in partnership with clinical leaders.
Develops advanced simulation scenarios informed by hospital performance metrics and quality improvement measures, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, regulatory standards, and evidence-based practice.
Establishes and maintains simulation policies, procedures, and safety protocols in compliance with hospital and regulatory requirements.
Programs, operates, and monitors high-fidelity manikins to ensure realistic physiological responses during simulations.
Defines metrics, tracks outcomes, and prepares reports to evaluate program effectiveness.
Supports specialty courses, including FCCS (Society for Critical Care Medicine), ALSO (American Academy of Family Physicians), and ATLS (American College of Surgeons).
Maintains required instructor/director credentials with national accrediting bodies.
Operates, maintains, and repairs simulation technology, coordinating with vendors as necessary.
Serves as a subject matter expert in simulation education, mentoring faculty, preceptors, and staff in facilitation and debriefing best practices.
Collaborates with hospital and system leaders to assess learning needs, develop curricula, and align education programs with strategic initiatives.
Procures, prepares, and manages medical equipment and supplies for course delivery.
Designs and builds task trainers for low-volume procedures.
Works with Medical Staff Services and CME to monitor expiring provider privileges and schedule training to maintain compliance.
Collaborates with Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) to ensure medical students receive simulation and hands-on training to meet AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities standards.
Supports simulation-based research and scholarship; collects and manages data per IRB protocols.
Stays current with simulation research and emerging technologies to advance program development.
Troubleshoots technical issues independently and escalates complex issues as needed.
Facilitates and debriefs interprofessional simulation sessions to strengthen critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.
Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.
Supports 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.
May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.
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.
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor’s in Nursing from an accredited college or university.
Preferred: Master of Science in Nursing & Healthcare Simulation .
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 or simulation certification upon hire or agree to obtain when eligible.
EXPERIENCE
Required: Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible nursing experience is required, including 2 years experience as a Nurse Educator at the unit or hospital system level (or equivalent). Candidates must demonstrate proficiency with diverse teaching methodologies, accrediting bodies for nursing excellence (such as ANCC), shared governance, and clinical professional advancement systems. Expertise in healthcare simulation, including scenario design, facilitation, and debriefing—with familiarity in both high- and low-fidelity modalities is also required.
Preferred: Program management experience. 4 years of experience as a clinical educator, simulation specialist, or equivalent role. Comfortability with using Laerdal and Gaumard simulators and software.
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
Applies the nursing code of ethics, professional guidelines, and Nursing Professional Development standards to practice.
Serves as a resource and functions as an educator, leader, consultant, facilitator, mentor, advocate, researcher, and change agent.
Designs, implements, evaluates, and revises professional development and continuing education programs for nursing, allied health, and physicians at unit and system levels.
Develops curricula grounded in adult learning principles, evidence-based practice, and accreditation/regulatory requirements.
Evaluates and documents staff competencies, identifying strengths, gaps, and opportunities for growth.
Demonstrates knowledge of nursing and allied health theories, emerging practices, healthcare systems, and accountability for outcomes.
Understands laws, regulations, accreditation standards, hospital policies, and professional ethics including patient rights and confidentiality.
Applies knowledge of medical terminology, health promotion, disease prevention/management, and pharmacology basics.
Utilizes educational technology, computer systems, and databases to support program delivery and tracking.
Employs project management skills and works effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Collaborates with departments and partners (e.g., Supply Chain, HR, Infection Prevention, Clinical Informatics, Compliance, AHEC, CME, Research) to address 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 team working 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. Climbing ladder/step-tool, lifting/carrying/pushing, or pulling 25-50 pounds, ability to hear whispered speech level.
Rarely (10%): Stooping/kneeling/crouching, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling 11-15 pounds, operation of a motor vehicle. 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:
40Caregiver Type:
RegularShift:
First Shift (United States of America)Is Exempt Position?
YesJob Family:
NON CONTRACT RN SPECIALISTScheduled Days of the Week:
Monday-FridayShift Start & End Time:
8:00am - 5:00pm