Job Description

Under the direction of the Manager of Clinical Policy & Standards and in collaboration with Clinical Excellence leadership, the Clinical Practice and Policy Specialist serves as a clinical expert responsible for advancing nursing practice, clinical policy, and care standardization across the organization.

This role combines system-wide policy coordination with frontline clinical practice support to ensure that policies are developed, implemented, and sustained in alignment with organizational standards, regulatory requirements, and evidence-based practice. Working closely with nursing leadership, interdisciplinary teams, subject matter experts, and frontline caregivers, the Clinical Practice and Policy Specialist promotes safe, high-quality, and consistent patient care throughout the acute care environment.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Policy Development & Implementation

• Lead the development, revision, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of clinical practice policies and standards.
• Coordinate policy review workflows, stakeholder feedback, approvals, and documentation within the organization's policy management system.
• Ensure policies remain current, evidence-based, operationally relevant, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Translate system-wide policies into practical unit-level workflows and support successful implementation across clinical departments.

Leadership Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with nursing leaders, operational leaders, physicians, subject matter experts, and interdisciplinary teams to support policy development and adoption.
• Serve as a liaison between system leadership and hospital-based teams to promote consistent interpretation and application of clinical policies.
• Engage frontline staff to gather feedback, identify practice gaps, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness

• Support organizational compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, state, and other regulatory requirements.
• Participate in survey readiness activities, mock surveys, tracers, audits, and documentation reviews.
• Assist leaders with corrective action planning, regulatory responses, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
• Promote sustained readiness through education, coaching, and performance improvement initiatives.

Clinical Practice Standardization

• Promote consistent, evidence-based clinical practice across departments.
• Identify variation in care delivery and recommend opportunities for standardization.
• Reinforce policies and best practices that improve patient safety, quality, and clinical outcomes.
• Collaborate with Clinical Excellence and Nursing Professional Development teams to align organizational standards and practice expectations.

Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement

• Translate current research and evidence into clinical practice improvements and policy enhancements.
• Support implementation of evidence-based interventions that improve patient outcomes and nursing practice.
• Partner with clinical teams to evaluate nursing-sensitive indicators and other quality performance measures.
• Share best practices through education, presentations, mentoring, and consultation.

Data Analysis & Outcomes Management

• Analyze clinical quality, safety, and operational data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with nursing and operational leaders to develop, monitor, and evaluate performance metrics.
• Provide data-driven recommendations that support clinical excellence and informed decision-making.

Clinical Rounding & Practice Support

• Conduct structured clinical rounds to assess adherence to policies, standards, and evidence-based practices.
• Provide real-time coaching, consultation, and support to frontline clinical staff.
• Identify barriers to practice and collaborate with leaders to implement sustainable solutions that improve patient care.

Qualifications

Required

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Masters's degree in Nursing (MSN).
• Minimum of three to five years of progressive clinical nursing experience.
• Experience in clinical policy development, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, or nursing leadership.
• Strong knowledge of healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and nursing professional practice.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, project management, and analytical skills.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month after hire, plus wellness programs and mental health support

403(b) retirement plan with employer match, pension, and life and disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement toward advanced degrees and specialty certifications

Generous paid time off, fitness discounts, and free on-site parking

About Carroll Hospital

Carroll Hospital in Westminster, Maryland, is a full-service community hospital proudly serving the residents of Carroll County and the surrounding region. As part of LifeBridge Health - one of the region's most comprehensive healthcare systems - Carroll delivers personalized, high-quality care in a welcoming community setting, with a mission to improve the health of the communities we serve, and to take care of the people who take care of patients.

About LifeBridge Health

LifeBridge Health is a dynamic, purpose-driven health system redefining care delivery across the mid-Atlantic and beyond, anchored by our mission to "improve the health of people in the communities we serve." Join us to advance health access, elevate patient experiences, and contribute to a system that values bold ideas and community-centered care.

With over 14,000 employees, 130 care locations, and two million annual patient encounters, we combine strategic growth, innovation, and deep community commitment to deliver exceptional care anchored by five leading centers in Maryland.

Our organization thrives on a culture of CARE BRAVELY-where compassion, courage, and urgency drive every decision, empowering teams to shape the future of healthcare.

LifeBridge Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. LifeBridge Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

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