Director, Nursing Research & Evidence Based Practice-EBP

Job Description

ECU Health

About ECU Health

ECU Health is a mission-driven, 1,708-bed academic health care system serving more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is comprised of 13,000 team members, nine hospitals and a physician group that encompasses over 1,100 academic and community providers practicing in over 180 primary and specialty clinics located in more than 130 locations.

The flagship ECU Health Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, and ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital serve as the primary teaching hospitals for the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine share a combined academic mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina through patient care, education and research.

Position Summary

Responsible and accountable for development, implementation, dissemination, and evaluation of the strategic plan for nursing research as part of the overall nursing strategic plan for the ECU Health System. Ensures that all activities are aligned with the organizational and departmental goals and strategic initiatives of the Health System. The Director provides expert consultation in research practice and activities including ensuring adequate quality, funding, and delivery of research projects to include the nursing team. The Director assists the CNE and VP Nursing Excellence, APRN leaders, and other stakeholders in promoting excellent nursing practice across the system. The Director also plays a key role in leading research activities for the interdisciplinary group of colleagues within the system. A key objective is to raise the profile of nursing evidence-based research in the healthcare community as well as providing leadership to individuals in conducting research.

Responsibilities

1. Working with ECU Health nursing, multi-disciplinary colleagues, and other key stakeholders to develop strategies for interprofessional research, identifies and responds to research-related requirements, and ensures research initiatives are aligned with organizational strategic directions, mission, vision, and values.
2. Develops a research framework and program including a model of evidence-based practice that provides recommendations on nursing and collaborative research to advance nursing practice, safety of care, and quality for all patients, families, and the workforce.
3. Collaborates with Practice Leaders, Program and/or Service Directors and Operational Leaders in addressing Nursing practice research needs. Plans, develops, implements, integrates, and evaluates research initiatives in collaboration with nursing and interprofessional leaders. Facilitates the promotion and advancement of interprofessional practice research across ECU Health.
4. Serves as the practice liaison to partner with the Clinical Research Director and Assistant Director of the IRB within the healthcare system, and other external agencies/ organizations to engage in collaborative research, knowledge translation, and research related education. Participates on relevant committees as required, such as the Steering Committee and Magnet Research Committee.
5. Works with ECU Health leadership to develop an interprofessional research agenda that focuses on incorporating best practices into areas including but not limited to models of care delivery, the nursing workforce, safety and quality. Responsible for the development and implementation of initiatives designed to create new knowledge and increases the amount of interprofessional research conducted in the organization.
6. Identifies sources of funding for nursing research and manages research funds. Writes grant applications, produces abstracts for national presentations and writes peer reviewed papers for publication in regional and national journals.
7. In collaboration with marketing/communications, develops media tools for awareness of nursing research across the system.
8. Provides education to nursing staff on the importance, process, and evaluation of evidence-based practice. Guides and supervises individuals in nursing research at ECU Health.
9. Coaches and mentors nursing staff and models key behaviors/ strategies/ tactics for successful nursing research. Encourages dialogue, provides guidance, and advice to staff.
10. Determines performance expectations, provides coaching and evaluation for all direct reports. Establishes clear definitions of responsibility for each team member as appropriate.
11. Assists team members to define shared and individual goals, meet target dates and ensures alignment of team goals with customer needs. Foster team spirit, trust, and mutual respect. Promotes a culture of effective knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer, interdisciplinary teamwork, evaluation, and innovation.
12. Identifies staff learning needs that contribute to both enhancement of skills and career progression. Ensures that appropriate learning programs are available to members and meet the requirements for successful research projects. Fosters a working environment that stimulates learning and inquiry.

Minimum Requirements

• Valid unencumbered NC RN License.
• Master's of Science in Nursing required.
• 5 to 7 years of research experience required.
• 2(+) years of clinical experience required.
• Demonstrated experience in research and leadership.
• Established record in execution of federal and industry regulations pertaining to research.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating a Nursing Research Program.
• Ability to review and interpret emerging data and proactively implement measures to ensure delivery of quality study results.
• Successfully published in Nursing and or Healthcare peer reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated experience in presenting to small and large groups on healthcare related topics.
• Accomplished advanced skills in human relations, communications, and interprofessional collaboration.
• Ability to navigate a complex matrixed environment and coach/mentor teams that are diverse in terms of expertise, background, and geography on research related initiatives.

Preferred Requirements

DNP or PhD preferred.

Certification in Nursing Research through ACRP or SOCRA.

General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.