Nurse Scientist

At Houston Methodist, the Nurse Scientist position is responsible for leading the development, coordination, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of nursing research activities. This position works closely with the Director and Manager for Nursing Science to strategically plan, and outline priority initiatives based on hospital quality measures. The Nurse Scientist position ensures the highest quality of scholarly and scientific activity by Houston Methodist nursing staff. This position serves as a role model and consultant related to the nursing research process and coordinates the IRB approval and grant funding process for nursing research. The Nurse Scientist position promotes and facilitates evidence-based interventions at the bedside, a key component for the rolePATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental 'Scope of Service' and 'Provision of Care' plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONSProvide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.Practices the Caring and Serving ModelDelivers personalized service using HM Service StandardsProvides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experienceInvolves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given jobActively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE valuesPEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSServes as a consultant to nursing leadership, executives, and nurses to develop, implement and sustain evidence-based high impact initiatives. Role models efficient and effective communication to establish and maintain a team environment.Promotes, supports, and facilitates individuals engaging in research activities to advance research in practice: evidence-based practice, the conduct of research, research utilization, and research dissemination. Collaborates and develops innovative programs to educate, mentor, and enhance the knowledge of nursing staff.Serves as an active member of the Research Council. Coordinates, guides, leads, and provides support for council activities and serves as the liaison to the nursing shared governance structure.Fosters staff engagement by demonstrating active listening, requesting, and acknowledging feedback, providing rationale when appropriate, and supporting organizational goals. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSFacilitates and directs the development of interdepartmental and interprofessional research activities, including generating individual and/or group programs of research.Encourages and promotes nursing publications in peer reviewed journals.QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSIdentifies nursing quality metrics outliers and creates evidence-based nursing interventions for improvement. Supports hospital efforts to improve quality care, linking research to improved patient outcomes.Plans, directs, and ensures execution and sustainability of all initiatives to ensure that the goals of the program are met. In collaboration with the Director, develops program outcome measures and monitors for sustainability.Conducts investigator-initiated research that supports and adds to nursing's scientific foundation.FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSSeeks research funding through grant application. Assists departments and individual healthcare professionals to apply and obtain such funding for research projects and activities.Implements department strategies to achieve financial target and mentors others to do the same, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications.Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSDevelops initiatives and held accountable for increasing the number of HM nursing research, EBP and quality improvement dissemination activities at the national and international level.Generates and communicates new ideas to lead teams to creative strategies that improve quality or service and impact entity departments and address organization or department priorities. Analyzes and presents research and quality improvement data.Fosters an institutional environment conducive to the conduct of inquiry, research, and evidence-based practice, as evidenced by the number of nurse-generated projects. Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.EDUCATIONBachelor's and Master's degree, one of which must be in nursingDoctoral degree in medical fieldWORK EXPERIENCEFive years clinical nursing experienceLICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIREDRN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure -- Compact Licensure - Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency) ANDMagnet ANCC-recognized certification (HM) within 1 year KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESDemonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluationsSufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or securityAbility to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principlesActs as effective change agentStrong assessment, organizational and problem-solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role componentsDemonstrates expert time management skillsSUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTSWORK ATTIREUniform NoScrubs NoBusiness professional YesOther (department approved) NoON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.On Call* NoTRAVEL****Travel specifications may vary by department**May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area YesMay require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area NoHouston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital brings the expertise and compassionate care of Houston Methodist Hospital in The Texas Medical Center - a national Honor Roll hospital - to Bay Area communities. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of adult medical and surgical care, is an accredited chest pain center, and is also acute stroke-ready designated through DNV. Houston Methodist Clear Lake offers many inpatient and outpatient services including 3-D mammography and other state-of-the-art imaging, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, Cancer Center of Excellence, advanced laparoscopic surgery, comprehensive orthopedics and sports medicine, neurology, urology and otolaryngology. Also, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is honored to be the only hospital in the bay area to have a Grade A rating from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grading.

Created: 2025-11-07