Nursing Director Clinical Education

Employment Type: Full timeShift: Day Shift Description: Position Purpose

At St. Joseph's Health, a member of Trinity Health, we are committed to fostering a culture of learning, professional excellence, and compassionate care. The Nursing Director, Clinical Education, is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for nursing education, professional development, competency management, onboarding, orientation, and continuing education across the organization. This leader partners with nursing and interdisciplinary leadership to ensure educational programs align with organizational priorities, evidence-based practice standards, patient safety initiatives, workforce development goals, and regulatory requirements. The Nursing Director, Clinical Education serves as a key driver of nursing excellence by developing innovative educational strategies that support colleague engagement, professional growth, and exceptional patient outcomes.

What You Will Do

• Provide strategic leadership for nursing education, professional development, orientation, onboarding, competency management, and continuing education programs.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of nurse educators to support clinical excellence and workforce development.
• Partner with nursing, quality, and operational leaders to identify educational needs and align learning initiatives with organizational priorities.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based education programs that support quality outcomes, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee nursing orientation, residency, competency validation, and leadership development programs.
• Monitor program effectiveness through outcome metrics, competency assessments, and colleague feedback, implementing improvements as needed.
• Promote professional nursing practice through certification support, career development, mentorship, and lifelong learning opportunities.
• Support succession planning and leadership development initiatives to strengthen the nursing workforce.
• Ensure organizational readiness for regulatory, accreditation, and professional practice standards.
• Foster a culture of learning, engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement across nursing services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in New York State.
• Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN), Nursing Education, Healthcare Administration, or related field required.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive clinical nursing experience in an acute care or healthcare environment.
• Minimum three (3) years of leadership experience in nursing education, professional development, or clinical leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, competency management, program evaluation, and staff development.
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, adult learning principles, and nursing professional practice standards.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, leadership, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC), Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), or related specialty certification.
• Experience leading nursing residency, onboarding, and professional development programs.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and performance improvement initiatives.

Salary and Benefits

Annual Salary Range: $121,160 - $181,792 Pay is based on experience, skills, education, certifications, and internal equity considerations. Exempt positions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are compensated within the salary range listed above.

At Trinity Health, we understand that the success of our organization is directly related to our hardworking, compassionate, and dedicated colleagues. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our colleagues and their families, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Retirement Savings Program
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Assistance
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs

Ministry / Facility Information Located in the heart of Central New York, St. Joseph's Health is nationally recognized for clinical excellence and compassionate care. St. Joseph's has been recognized by Healthgrades as one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery and among America's 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery and Coronary Intervention. The organization is also recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Hospital and Best Maternity Hospital. As part of Trinity Health, St. Joseph's Health provides a comprehensive range of primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, women's and infants' services, cardiovascular care, neurosciences, oncology, and community wellness programs. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate service makes St. Joseph's Health a destination for both exceptional patient care and rewarding career opportunities.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.