Clinical Specialists perform medical as well as administrative duties in various healthcare settings. They provide direct patient care, which includes administering diagnostic tests, providing treatments and medications, observing recovery process, offering patient consultations etc. They may specialize in care for certain groups of people, such as children, pregnant women, or patients with mental health disorders. Their administrative responsibilities include staff supervision and updating patient records. Some of these professionals may conduct research work in the field of medication and health care.
Clinical Specialist may work independently or in collaboration with physicians in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, nursing homes, community health centers, rehabilitation facilities, research centers etc. They usually work full time. They may be required to work in evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
Educational Requirements
To become a Clinical Specialist, the aspiring candidates must have to earn Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from an accredited institution. The syllabus includes anatomy, biology, epidemiology, physiology, physical assessment and diagnostic reasoning, pharmacology, ethics, patient care etc.
The students may also pursue master’s degree or PhD in nursing for better job prospects at higher level of this profession.
Certification and Licensure
Since a Clinical Specialist needs to be licensed in all states, the candidates must first pass the National Council Licensure Examination, (NCLEX-RN). These professionals can obtain certifications from various organizations, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board etc.
Skill Set
Apart from clinical knowledge, the Clinical Specialists possess wide range of traits such as high level of attention to detail, empathy towards patients, clinical problem solving and decision making abilities, excellent leadership quality, effectively counseling abilities, understanding of regulations, competent in computer skills, pleasant communication and interpersonal skills, etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Clinical Specialist remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 31% during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Clinical Specialist was $96,460 in May 2012.