How to Be Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 25, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The role of a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is essential in providing quality care to elderly patients. Their expertise in geriatric nursing leads to improved patient outcomes, as they are able to assess and treat the unique needs of an aging population. The CNS is able to assess the patient's physical and mental health, evaluate the need for additional care, and provide education and support for the patient and their family.

the CNS can help to reduce hospital readmissions and improve clinical outcomes by providing timely interventions, such as medication management and fall prevention strategies. By providing comprehensive care, the CNS helps to ensure that elderly patients receive the care they need to maintain their quality of life.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist is to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
Earn a Master's Degree. To become a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist, you must complete a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, typically with a specialization in gerontology.
Obtain Certification. You must obtain certification as a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). To be eligible for certification, you must pass an exam and demonstrate a minimum of two years of nursing experience with the geriatric population.
Complete Continuing Education Requirements. To maintain certification, you must complete continuing education requirements every three years.
Consider Specialization. You can specialize in a particular area of geriatrics nursing, such as dementia care, pain management, or end-of-life care.

The quality of care for seniors can be greatly improved by engaging a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). A CNS is an advanced practice nurse who has the knowledge, experience and skills to assess, diagnose and manage the complexities of a senior patient's health care needs. The CNS can provide evidence-based care, such as developing care plans that are individualized and tailored to the senior's specific needs.

Through their specialized geriatric training, a CNS can also anticipate and address potential problems, recognize changes in a senior's condition and recommend interventions to improve outcomes. Engaging a reliable and qualified CNS can lead to better health outcomes for seniors due to improved communication between the senior, family and care team, as well as increased access to care coordination, education and support.

You may want to check Geriatrics Home Care Aide, Geriatrics Medical Assistant, and Geriatrics Dietary Aide for alternative.

Job Description

Assess and evaluate geriatric patients in order to provide comprehensive care plans.
Participate in the development of comprehensive patient care plans and ensure appropriate follow-up.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other health care professionals in order to provide optimal care for geriatric patients.
Educate and mentor nursing staff on geriatric care needs and provide support to the nursing staff.
Participate in and develop educational programs for staff and other health care professionals.
Perform physical and mental assessments of geriatric patients to evaluate their functional status, cognitive abilities, and medical history.
Monitor and review the effectiveness of treatments and therapies, making recommendations as needed.
Collaborate with other health care providers to ensure optimal coordination of services for geriatric patients.
Provide consultation services to other healthcare providers and organizations on best practices for geriatric care.
Analyze data to identify trends, needs, and areas for improvement in the provision of geriatric care.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Comprehensive knowledge of gerontology and geriatric care
Ability to evaluate and assess geriatric care needs
Understanding of the unique physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of older adults
Knowledge of the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of geriatric-specific conditions
Ability to develop, implement and evaluate care plans for older adults
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to collaborate and coordinate resources with other health care professionals
Ability to provide patient and family education and counseling
Understanding of the impact of chronic diseases and disabilities on older adults
Knowledge of ethical and legal issues related to working with elderly patients
Understanding of end of life issues, including palliative and hospice care
Ability to use technology and software applications for patient management

Excellent communication skills are essential for any Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). A CNS must be able to interact effectively with patients, family members, and other healthcare team members in order to ensure the best possible outcome for their elderly patients. Without strong communication skills, a CNS may struggle to collaborate effectively with other medical professionals, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

the CNS must possess a deep understanding of the unique needs of elderly patients and be able to effectively explain their conditions and treatments to them and their families. Without this understanding, a CNS may not be able to provide effective care or support. Furthermore, strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are essential for a CNS in order to recognize and address any potential issues that may arise in the care of elderly patients.

With the right skillset, a CNS can make a significant difference in the lives of their elderly patients.

Geriatric Care Facilitator, Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician, and Geriatrics Clinical Data Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with geriatric patients?
How would you describe your philosophy when caring for geriatric patients?
What strategies have you successfully implemented to ensure safe and effective patient care?
How do you handle difficult conversations with family members and other healthcare professionals?
What steps do you take to ensure that geriatric patients are receiving the highest quality of care?
How do you stay current on the latest advances and best practices in geriatric care?
What challenges have you faced when providing care in a geriatric setting?
Describe a situation in which you successfully identified and addressed a geriatric patients needs.
How would you go about developing trust with a difficult geriatric patient?
What strategies have you used to promote collaboration between team members when caring for geriatric patients?

Common Tools in Industry

Nursing Diagnosis Reference Guide. A comprehensive guide to help Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialists identify and diagnose health conditions in elderly patients. (eg: Nursing Diagnosis Reference Guide for Geriatric Patients, 6th edition)
Clinical Assessment Tools. A variety of assessment tools designed to evaluate the physical and mental capability of elderly patients. (eg: Barthel Index, Geriatric Depression Scale)
Care Planning Software. Computer programs that allow Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialists to develop comprehensive care plans for elderly patients. (eg: CarePlanner, CareEnhance)
Evidence-Based Practice Resources. A collection of best-practice guidelines and other resources to guide Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialists in providing quality care. (eg: American Geriatrics Society Clinical Practice Guidelines, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Resources)
Electronic Health Records. Cloud-based software that enables Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialists to maintain complete and accurate patient records. (eg: Epic EHR, Cerner EHR)
Medication Management Systems. Programs designed to help Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialists manage medications for elderly patients. (eg: MedChart, Medscape)
Patient Education Materials. Resources to help Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialists educate elderly patients about their health conditions. (eg: Health Literacy Materials from the National Institute on Aging, Your Aging Parent brochure from the American Academy of Family Physicians )

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
National Gerontological Nurses Association (NGNA)
Society of Gerontology Nursing (SGN)
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)
American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)
American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE)
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)

We also have Geriatrics Research Scientist, Geriatrics Mental Health Technician, and Geriatric Home Health Aide jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Gerontology. The study of the physical, psychological, and social changes that occur in older age.
Geriatrics. The medical specialty focused on the care of older adults.
Chronic Illness. An illness or condition that persists or recurs over a long period of time.
Palliative Care. Medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain, symptoms, and stress of serious illness.
Advance Care Planning. A process of discussion between a patient, family, and healthcare providers to determine the patients desired medical care in the event of a health crisis.
End-of-Life Care. Medical care focused on providing comfort and support for a person near the end of life.
Dementia. A progressive decline in cognitive functioning, including memory and judgement.
Home Health Care. Skilled care provided in the patients home.
Nursing Home Care. Long-term care services provided in a nursing home setting.
Medication Management. A system for organizing and tracking medications taken by the patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist?

The role of a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist is to provide specialized care to elderly patients and their families, including medical and psychological assessments, patient education, advanced nursing procedures, and support services.

How many years of experience is typically required to become a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist?

To become a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist, typically a minimum of two years experience in geriatric nursing is required.

What type of certification is needed to become a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist?

To become a Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist, certification in Gerontological Nursing is typically required.

What types of medical conditions do Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialists typically treat?

Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialists typically treat a variety of medical conditions associated with aging, including dementia, chronic illnesses, and end-of-life care.

What other services do Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialists provide?

In addition to providing medical care, Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialists also provide emotional and psychological support, access to community resources, and advocacy services for elderly patients and their families.

Web Resources

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner/Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist ... nursing.umn.edu
Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG CNS, AG CNS nursing.ucsf.edu
Post Masters Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS) www.usi.edu