Vocational Nursing Faculty

Summary: The VN Faculty will have the responsibility for instruction in theory, skills lab, or clinical portions of the nursing curriculum.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides instruction for theory and clinical nursing courses:

• Utilizes a variety of teaching methods including lecture, case study, video, demonstration, small group discussion, work sheets, student presentations, role play, patient care simulations, guest speakers
• Utilizes principles of teaching that recognize the characteristics of adult learners
• Assesses and analyzes student mastery of course and program learning outcomes
• Reviews assessment data and adjusts curriculum and instructional methodologies to improve student learning
• Contributes to outcome discussions at the campus, program and institutional level
• Includes psychosocial needs in outlining nursing care

Assumes responsibility for VN Program students in the clinical facilities:

• Clarifies clinical expectations with students
• Clarifies student placement and expectations with clinical facility staff
• Makes patient/student assignments in order to implement theory objectives and meet both student and patient needs
• Directs students to available resources needed for clinical preparation
• Assesses student knowledge and skill level in order to supervise skills that ensure safety and optimal care to patients
• Coordinates with Clinical Teaching Assistants and Assistant Faculty a plan to best observe, instruct, and evaluate students
• Uses post conference to allow students to share learning experiences
• Correlates weekly theory content with clinical objectives and experiences
• Corrects nursing care plans and returns in a timely manner
• Provides feedback of clinical performance immediately after observation and of overall performance at mid term and end of term
• Documents student observations utilizing narrative notes and designated program forms

Provides effective academic counseling for theory and clinical area assignees:

• Provides feedback to students in a private setting
• Identifies verbal and nonverbal behaviors indicative of the need for student counsel
• Maintains a nonjudgmental and supportive manner in counseling
• Encourages the use of problem solving techniques to prompt the student to identify courses of action
• Refers student with unresolved conflict to VN Program Director or Dean of Student Services
• Establishes office hours or appointments at times accessible to students

Establishes and maintains communication lines between the facilities, its employees and the College:

• Appraises clinical facility staff of student objectives in each clinical area
• Works with clinical facility staff to clarify policies and procedures specific to facility
• Validates with clinical facility staff the effectiveness of student placement and progress in meeting mutually established objectives
• Identifies key clinical facility staff to be utilized as role models/mentors
• Attends Advisory meetings to network and derive solutions to mutual concerns

Participates in curriculum development, revision, and evaluation:

• Lists suggestions throughout the program, that relate to improvement of curriculum content and flow
• Collaborates with other faculty on suggestions for curriculum evaluation and revision
• Utilizes ideas from other VN curricula in evaluation and revisio
• Maintains consistency with regulations approved by BVN
• Maintains responsibility for all aspects of curriculum including currency of content specialty area

Participates in program planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation:

• Participates in planning program theory and clinical courses, clinical, skills lab and other activities
• Organizes own course of instruction maintaining consistency with course and program objectives
• Implements theory and clinical objectives consistent with curriculum plan
• Evaluates self and program efficiency in assisting students to meet course and program outcomes
• Participates in the development and redefining of program policies and procedures
• Utilizes open communication and problem solving techniques to resolve conflict
• Identifies and initiates opportunities relative to meeting student needs and achieving program goals
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities: The VN Faculty supervises student conduct in the classroom, lab and at clinical sites.

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Core Competencies:

Adaptability – Responds to change with a willingness and ability to learn new ways of working. Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Communication – Develops and delivers communication that conveys a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens to others and allows them to make their point.

Integrity & Ethics – Demonstrates personal integrity; serves as a positive example of why others should trust the motives of the organization; views self as a reflection of the organization by following through on commitments and accepting ownership of mistakes; treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others and upholds organizational values.

Organization Support – Supports organizations goals and values. Is keenly aware of the time frame in which tasks or projects needs to be done; accepts and mirrors the level of urgency conveyed by the manager or customer being served; puts first priority on the needs of the organization or the needs of its customers. Fosters collaboration and teamwork across the Institution.

Professionalism – Approaches other in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follow through on commitments.

Job Competencies:

Instructional Skills - Comes across as confident and well-prepared when providing instruction in small and large groups; effectively utilizes instructional resources to meet the variety of student learning needs; applies engagement and assessment techniques.

Student Achievement Focus - Personally, demonstrates that students and employers are a high priority; identifies student needs and expectations and responds to them in a timely and effective manner; anticipates and prevents delays or other things that can adversely affect the student; keeps student informed about progress.

Technical Job Skills - Possesses sufficient job skills and knowledge to perform the job in a competent manner; is able to demonstrate skills and knowledge in day-to-day situations.

Relationship Building/Networking - Builds rapport and develops alliances with a broad range of people. Effectively builds formal and informal networks inside and outside of the organization.

Qualifications: The VN Faculty must possess an active LVN or RN license. The VN Faculty must possess an associate of science or higher degree or a valid teaching credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing in Career Technical Education Teaching with authorized subjects of Health Science. The VN Faculty shall have a minimum of three years experience continuous, full-time of equivalent experience providing direct patient care. The VN Faculty must meet all the requirements of the California State Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians and be approved to be faculty.

Validated Clinical Competence: The VN Faculty must possess and exercise the degree of learning, skill, care and experience ordinarily possessed and exercised by staff-level registered nurses of the clinical unit or nursing area to which the Faculty is assigned.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; hear and speak. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In some and/or all vocational classrooms, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.