Because we all have a role
in making care exceptional
Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – Emergency Services
Req#: 326819
Location:
Facilities: Akron General Medical Ctr
Professional Area: Advanced Practice
Department: 9466 Advanced Practice Nurses-Cleveland Clinic Akron General
Job Code: T97891
Schedule: Full Time
Shift: Days
Apply Today!
Cleveland Clinic Akron General is seeking a dedicated Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to support the Emergency Medicine team across multiple locations. This role provides advanced clinical expertise, leadership, and education to promote high-quality patient care, nursing excellence, and evidence-based practice within the emergency department setting.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes, enhance nursing practice, and support clinical initiatives across several sites, including Akron General’s Level I Trauma Center as well as emergency departments in Stow, Bath, and Green.
Position Details
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Schedule: Variable, Day shift, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with some evening and night shift coverage
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Setting: Emergency Medicine
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Locations Covered: Akron General Main Campus (Level I Trauma Center), Stow, Bath, and Green
Key Responsibilities
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Serve as a clinical expert and resource for nursing staff within the emergency departments.
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Promote and implement evidence-based practice to enhance patient care and clinical outcomes.
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Lead and support quality improvement initiatives, patient safety efforts, and performance improvement projects.
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Provide education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for nursing staff.
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Collaborate with physicians, nursing leadership, and interdisciplinary teams to optimize care delivery and operational efficiency.
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Support the development and evaluation of clinical policies, procedures, and best practices in emergency care.
Ideal Candidate
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Strong clinical expertise in emergency medicine setting
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Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills
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Passion for improving nursing practice, patient outcomes, and staff development
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Ability to work across multiple sites while fostering strong relationships with clinical teams
This position offers the opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing emergency nursing practice while supporting a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care throughout the Cleveland Clinic Akron General system.
Job Responsibilities:
CLINICAL PRACTICE: Provide expert consultation and collaboration on care of high-risk patients and families within area of specialty
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Provide direct and indirect nursing care to patients and families
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Round with patients/nurses and interdisciplinary teams
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Proactively monitor nursing practices and analyze data for trends
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Write APRN progress notes and bill for patient services
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Prescribe medications, therapies and devices as appropriate
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Promote high-quality, safe, cost effective care:
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Lead and participate in quality improvement projects
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Support accreditation and compliance activities
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Represent nursing on department or hospital committee
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Participate in evaluation of products and equipment relevant to nursing practice
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EDUCATION: Responsible for dissemination of knowledge through instructing, leading and developing educational programs
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Providing “just in time” teaching at the point of care
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Develop / teach advanced and specialty classes for nurses and other healthcare professionals
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Identify learning needs, develops, and implements programs for patient education
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Support professional development of clinical nurses and nursing practice :
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Mentor nursing caregivers in career coaching and professional development
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Support nursing shared governance teams and “champion” programs
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Assist clinical nurses in poster/oral abstract development
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Promote nursing certification
RESEARCH / EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE Promotes translation of evidence based practices :
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Primary responsibility for writing / revising policies, procedures, and nursing protocols
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Disseminate knowledge from research studies and guidelines
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Standardize nursing practice across CCHS locations
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Conduct nursing research
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Present results of work at local, state, national, and / or international conferences
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Submits work to peer-reviewed journals for publication
Education:
APRN
- Effective 05/01/2014: MSN required upon hire or within 3 years of hire for external hires and internal hires moving from a non-APRN licensed role to an APRN licensed role.
- Graduate of an accredited APRN program.
- If in neonatal care service area Master’s Degree is required upon hire.
Languages:
Oral and written communication in English
Certifications:
NP
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Currently licensed as a Nurse Practitioner in applicable state(s).
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Must be licensed as an RN in applicable state(s).
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National certification as a Nurse Practitioner by nationally accredited organization recognized by state Board of Nursing.
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Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) required.
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Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) through the American Heart Association (AHA); or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) may be required based upon work setting.
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Must have arrangements with at least one physician in accordance with requirements set forth by the State Board of Nursing in applicable states.
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Must be credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals.
CNS
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Currently licensed as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in applicable state(s).
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Must be licensed as an RN in applicable state(s).
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National certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist by nationally accredited organization recognized by state Board of Nursing.
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Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) required.
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Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) through the American Heart Association (AHA); or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) may be required based upon work setting.
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Must have arrangements with at least one physician in accordance with requirements set forth by the State Board of Nursing in applicable states.
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Must be credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals
Certifications:
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Currently licensed as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist in applicable state(s).
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Must be licensed as an RN in applicable state(s).
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National certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner by nationally accredited organization recognized by state Board of Nursing.
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Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) required.
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Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) through the American Heart Association (AHA); or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) may be required based upon work setting.
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Must have arrangements with at least one physician in accordance with requirements set forth by the State Board of Nursing in applicable states.
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Must be credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals.
Complexity of Work:
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Excellent analytical and decision-making skills are required.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
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Demonstrated competency and the ability to perform advanced assessment and diagnosis.
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Demonstrated ability to utilize the electronic medical record.
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Demonstrates a high standard of moral and ethical behavior.
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Demonstrates compassion and professionalism and a commitment to excellent patient care.
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Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work independently.
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Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
Work Experience:
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Two years clinical nursing experience required.
Physical Requirements:
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Typical physical demands include the ability to walk and stand for long periods of time.
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Manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination to perform physical examinations.
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Requires corrected vision and hearing to a normal range.
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Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 pounds.
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May require exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids.
Personal Protective Equipment:
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Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.
Pay Range
Minimum Annual Salary: $92,620.00
Maximum Annual Salary: $157,480.00
The pay range displayed on this job posting reflects the anticipated range for new hires. Actual compensation may be higher or lower than the standard range, depending on factors such as job responsibilities, relevant experience, skills, scheduling requirements, education, and area of licensure. Please note, the displayed pay range does not include additional pay practices or the value of Cleveland Clinic’s comprehensive benefits package (including healthcare, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings contributions, and more). The listed range is based on a full-time (1.0 FTE) with the exception of PRN positions, which have an hourly rate based on the position type.
Nursing Support Career Paths
Working for Cleveland Clinic is more than just a job – it can be a launching point for an exceptional career. Nursing Support plays a critical role in ensuring excellent care and positive patient experiences. There is a wide range of roles to contribute to this vital team. We are committed to providing you with the resources and support you need to define and follow your own unique career path, whether in Nursing Support or other areas of our organization. Nursing Support opportunities include:
Benefits Offerings
Our caregivers deliver the best outcomes for our patients across each of our facilities. We are committed to providing them with the kind of exceptional care they bring to our patients. Caregivers like you come to work each day with a passion for what you do. So, we are always focused on fueling that passion, empowering you to be your best both inside our hospitals and in your life. Our outstanding, comprehensive offerings are an investment in your health, well-being and future. Explore the following benefits and get a closer look at how we’re focused on what matters most to you.

We offer the following choices to cover your health, dental and vision care as well as life insurance.
- Health Plan Options – You have the choice between two comprehensive Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan options: EHP and EHP Plus. Both plans are administered by Aetna and feature minimal copays for in-network care. Although the benefit designs of EHP and EHP Plus are identical, they differ in their provider network size, with EHP offering a narrow network and EHP Plus providing access to the wide Aetna Open Access Select network. Both plans include access to Cleveland Clinic providers. The health plan also offers Healthy Choice, a voluntary program where participants earn premium discounts for achieving wellness goals.
- Dental Care – Four plan options administered by Cigna are available.
- Vision Care – Two plan options administered by EyeMed are available.
- Flexible Spending Accounts – Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs are available to help you pay for eligible expenses with pre-tax dollars.
- Life Insurance – Employer-paid life insurance equals 1x your annual salary with an option to purchase supplemental life insurance up to 10x your salary. You may also purchase dependent life insurance for a spouse and dependent children
- Short- and Long-term Disability Coverage – Short-term disability is available after one continuous year of regular full-time service; long-term disability begins after 90 days.

Because financial security is essential to a secure retirement, we sponsor a comprehensive retirement program to help you build for your financial future:
- Cleveland Clinic Investment Pension Plan offers eligible employees an excellent opportunity to build a retirement account for the future. It is fully funded by Cleveland Clinic and equal to 2.5% of your salary (increasing with more years of service).
- The 401(k) / 403(b) Plan also provides an important source of retirement savings. It allows participants to take responsibility for their financial future by making retirement savings a part of their normal routine while working. In addition to your contributions to the plan, Cleveland Clinic matches a portion of your contributions (50% on up to your first 6% in contributions).

- Paid Time Off (PTO) – Eligible caregivers receive Paid Time Off (PTO) that can be allotted toward vacation, holidays, sick time, etc.
- Caregiver discounts – We offer discounted rates for auto, home and pet insurance, identify theft protection and more.
- Adoption assistance – We provide financial assistance of up to $5,000/per child ($10,000 maximum lifetime benefit) for caregivers who choose to legally adopt a child.
- Employee Assistance Program – The Program provides free, confidential short-term counseling for caregivers and their families, whether for relationships or legal challenges.
- Employee Hardship Fund – This fund provides aid for caregivers experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.
- Paid maternity and parental leave – You will enjoy up to eight consecutive weeks for maternal care after the birth of your child to bond with your baby and up to four weeks for parental care.


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The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.
Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.
Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.
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Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster.
Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.