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Clinical education specialist vs clinical educator

The differences between clinical education specialists and clinical educators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical education specialist and a clinical educator. Additionally, a clinical education specialist has an average salary of $75,695, which is higher than the $65,929 average annual salary of a clinical educator.

The top three skills for a clinical education specialist include clinical education, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical educator are patients, patient care, and excellent interpersonal.

Clinical education specialist vs clinical educator overview

Clinical Education SpecialistClinical Educator
Yearly salary$75,695$65,929
Hourly rate$36.39$31.70
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs67,20860,065
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a clinical education specialist do?

A clinical education specialist is an individual who designs and administers continuing education programs for healthcare personnel to help them improve the delivery of patient care. Clinical education specialists are required to assess healthcare facilities to determine what type of education is needed and then design courses that will provide personnel with proper training and education. They must apply creative and innovative strategies in problem-solving to achieve the desired goals of the facility. Clinical education specialists must also maintain productive working relationships through mentoring and positive communication.

What does a clinical educator do?

A clinical educator is primarily responsible for devising training programs for nurses and other health workers. They mostly coordinate with different departments and conduct skills assessments to determine areas that need improvement, develop various methods to make operations more manageable, and even organize certification programs. A clinical educator may also treat and handle patients, manage schedules, produce progress reports, and maintain an extensive record of all documentation. Moreover, as a clinical educator, it is essential to implement the medical facility's policies and regulations.

Clinical education specialist vs clinical educator salary

Clinical education specialists and clinical educators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Education SpecialistClinical Educator
Average salary$75,695$65,929
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $97,000Between $44,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CANorwich, CT
Highest paying stateAlaskaConnecticut
Best paying companyEdwards LifesciencesBoehringer Ingelheim
Best paying industryFinanceHealth Care

Differences between clinical education specialist and clinical educator education

There are a few differences between a clinical education specialist and a clinical educator in terms of educational background:

Clinical Education SpecialistClinical Educator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Clinical education specialist vs clinical educator demographics

Here are the differences between clinical education specialists' and clinical educators' demographics:

Clinical Education SpecialistClinical Educator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 24.0% Female, 76.0%Male, 19.4% Female, 80.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical education specialist and clinical educator duties and responsibilities

Clinical education specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide case management with physicians recommendations and assistance navigating insurance such as Medicare, Medicaid and manage care.
  • Educate patients regarding the different type of pumps, infusion sets, and self-administration of medications.
  • Provide one-on-one supervision and crisis intervention-acting as an advocate and liaison for patients and their case managers.
  • Support guide wire and balloon dilatation catheter projects, requiring similar activities associate with development of stent delivery systems.
  • Act as liaison between radiology and other departments relate to medical imaging and procedures.
  • Serve as an active member on the system documentation committee redesigning the documentation system to include rehabilitation specific information.
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Clinical educator example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage customer training materials and deliver in-service and technical training programs for new and existing customers.
  • Provide case management with physicians recommendations and assistance navigating insurance such as Medicare, Medicaid and manage care.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures and managing emergencies
  • Provide education within the community for cardiac health, CPR and ACLS.
  • Provide ACLS and BLS classes for staff, physicians, and community groups.
  • Design and present annual mandatory competencies, OSHA, and CPR classes to current professional staff.
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Clinical education specialist vs clinical educator skills

Common clinical education specialist skills
  • Clinical Education, 14%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • BLS, 5%
  • Patient Outcomes, 4%
Common clinical educator skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 10%
  • BLS, 7%
  • Educational Programs, 5%
  • Professional Development, 5%

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