University of California San Diego

(CNS) Clinical Nurse Specialist - Periop - 140826

Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Nursing.
  • California RN license required.
  • California CNS license or equivalent advanced practice certification required.
  • BLS/CPR certification at hire; must obtain BART within 6 months.
  • 5+ years of recent clinical experience in Intraoperative nursing covering pre-op to recovery.
  • Expertise in clinical specialty including patient education and resources.
  • Advanced knowledge in evidence-based research methods.

Responsibilities

  • Lead large-scale projects impacting clinical practice.
  • Collaborate with nursing management to develop strategies and policies.
  • Serve as clinical nurse leader for designated nursing program.
  • Partner with nurse manager to enhance nursing practice areas.
  • Utilize specialized knowledge to inform patient and staff practices.

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
  • Retirement plan options with university contributions.
  • Professional development and continuing education opportunities.
  • Access to wellness programs and resources.
Full Job Description
Payroll Title:
CLIN NURSE OR ADV PRACT SPEC 4 Department:
NURSING EDUCATION Hiring Pay Scale
$184,000 - $209,000 / Year Worksite:
Various Appointment Type:
Career Appointment Percent:
100% Union:
Uncovered Total Openings:
3 Work Schedule:
Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

#140826 (CNS) Clinical Nurse Specialist - Periop
Filing Deadline: Tue 8/18/2026
Apply Now

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 8/7/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants : Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

As an organization or systemwide recognized expert in one or more specialty areas, the Clinical Specialist applies comprehensive knowledge of professional concepts and industry practices to lead projects of large size and scope that have critical impact. Collaborates with nursing management in developing new strategies, policies, and programs and implementing them within nursing clinical practice areas.

The Clinical Specialist serves as the clinical nurse leader for a program or area of nursing practice. Utilizes specialized knowledge and skills within major areas of focus, such as patient / family, nurses and nursing practice, and the organization / system. Typically partners with the nurse manager in leading the nursing clinical practice area. This is the journey level for an advanced practice clinical nurse specialist.

This Clinical Nurse Specialist must have focused clinical expertise in Intraoperative (OR) nursing and is used to cover all of the areas from pre-op through OR through recovery. The job posting range is $184,408 to $209,186 depending on experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Master's degree in Nursing.
  • Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the state of California.
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) license issued by the state of California or licensure / certification in another advanced nurse practice discipline.
  • BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six (6) months of hire date.
  • Five (5+) or more years of recent and relevant clinical experience including recent focused clinical expertise in Intraoperative (OR) nursing including covering all of the areas from pre-op through OR through recovery.
  • In-depth knowledge of one or more clinical specialty areas, to include diagnoses, treatments, standards of practice and patient / family educational consulting and resources.
  • Advanced knowledge of methodology for conducting evidence-based research, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess highly-complex issues and develop multiple options for resolution.
  • Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide education, training, and direction to nursing staff, and to develop positive working relationships with patients, families, employees, and outside agencies as required.
  • Advanced skills in written and verbal communications, with the ability to convey complex and / or sensitive information in a clear and concise manner.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • CNOR/CSSM/CNS-CP/CNAMB certification(s)
  • Recent clinical experience in intraoperative nursing.
  • Five (5+) or more years of recent and relevant educator experience.
  • Specialty certification in related nursing field.
  • Evidence of training in health equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Experience in academic medical center.
  • Experience with professional presentations and publication including working on improve education and process improvement health initiatives.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs
  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical
Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $136,600 - $267,600 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $65.42 - $128.16

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Apply Now

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .

About University of California San Diego

The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Established in 1960 near the pre-existing Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is the seventh-oldest of the 10 University of California campuses and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, enrolling approximately 38,325 students. UC San Diego is organized into six undergraduate residential colleges (Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Sixth College) and five academic divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Jacobs School of Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences). The university operates 19 organized research units (ORUs), including the Center for Energy Research, Qualcomm Institute (a branch of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology), and the San Diego Supercomputer Center.
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