Director of Clinical Learning and Development

The Director of Clinical Learning and Development provides strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and sustaining clinical education programs that support high reliability, patient safety, and workforce excellence in a large, urban teaching hospital serving a diverse patient population. This role ensures that team members and trainees receive high-quality education that aligns with evidence-based practice, regulatory standards, and organizational safety goals.

As part of an organization committed to zero harm and high reliability, this leader will embed patient safety, just culture, and continuous improvement principles into all training initiatives. The role involves collaboration with clinical leadership, academic institutions, and community partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Leadership & High Reliability Integration

• Develop and implement a clinical learning strategy that enhances patient safety and high reliability practices across all service lines.
• Partner with Quality, Patient Safety, and Risk Management teams to ensure clinical education supports error prevention, system reliability, and cultural competence.
• Integrate HRO principles into learning initiatives at all levels.
• Ensure staff are prepared to manage high-acuity cases, social complexity, and language barriers through advanced training in clinical decision-making, crisis management, and communication strategies.

1. Curriculum Development & Learning Innovation

• Lead the design and delivery of competency-based, simulation-driven, and inter-professional training programs that reflect the hospital's high-risk, high-volume, and high-complexity environment.
• Utilize technology-enhanced learning tools (e.g., virtual reality, AI-based simulation, and predictive analytics) to improve clinical competency and real-time decision-making.
• Oversee rapid response and crisis intervention training, preparing staff for mass casualty incidents, infectious disease outbreaks, and disaster preparedness.
• Develop and implement a learning health system model, leveraging real-time clinical data to adapt and refine training programs continuously.
• Develop variable methodologies to effectively deliver learning to a diverse employee population.

1. Workforce Development & Academic Partnerships

• Strengthen relationships with medical, nursing, and allied health schools to ensure alignment between academic curricula and real-world hospital demands.
• Strengthen new graduate education programs and develop curriculum to support pathways for career advancement and workforce retention.
• Partner with community health organizations and public health agencies to integrate hospital education initiatives with broader urban health equity strategies.

1. Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Develop data-driven metrics to assess the impact of clinical education programs on patient outcomes, safety event reductions, and workforce competency.
• Implement real-time performance feedback loops that allow for continuous learning and adaptation based on safety event analyses, patient outcomes, and frontline staff feedback.
• Utilize predictive analytics to identify training gaps, reduce variability in care, and proactively address emerging clinical risks.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards (The Joint Commission, ANCC, CMS) and regulatory requirements related to clinical education.

1. Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of clinical educators, clinical specialists, mentors and patient safety experts to execute high-impact training programs.
• Advocate for psychological safety and just culture, ensuring that staff feel empowered to report concerns, learn from errors, and contribute to system improvements.
• Oversee budget and resource allocation for clinical learning technologies, educator development, and workforce training initiatives.
• Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on issues related to clinical learning, workforce development, and patient safety strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Medical Education, or a related field (Doctorate preferred).
• Valid RN license required. Advanced Nursing Administration certification or other related certification.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in clinical education, high reliability initiatives, or professional development in a large, high-acuity teaching hospital.
• Proven experience in competency-based learning, regulatory compliance, and inter-professional education.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to drive culture change, workforce transformation, and system-wide learning initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading large-scale clinical learning initiatives in a hospital with a diverse, multilingual patient population.
• Background in public health, social determinants of health, and health equity-focused training programs.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies to support a learning health system model.
• Demonstrated success in leveraging data and predictive analytics to enhance clinical education and patient safety outcomes.
• Expertise in high reliability principles and just culture highly preferred.