Nursing Professional Development Specialist / Outpatient Surgical Services

Emory Healthcare

$80K — $95K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in Nursing required
  • 3 years clinical nursing experience
  • 2 years in a specialty or performance/quality role
  • Valid nursing license from Georgia
  • BLS certification and Nursing Professional Development certification (to be obtained within 9 months)
  • Expertise in NPD Practice Model roles and project management experience

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and implementation of onboarding programs
  • Collaborate to align orientation with strategic goals
  • Oversee development of competency frameworks
  • Assess learning needs through data and gap analysis
  • Design and deliver advanced educational content
  • Support role-specific development in nursing careers
  • Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment with professionals
  • Opportunity for professional development and training
  • Support for role transition and lifelong learning
  • Engagement in quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives
  • Minimal travel requirement (less than 10%)
Full Job Description
Overview

Experience in Ambulatory Care clinics required.

Experience in care of surgical patients preferred.

Description

The system Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Specialist is an advanced-level registered nurse who uses specialized knowledge and skills to support lifelong learning, professional development, and the advancement of nursing practice across the continuum of care. Rooted in the Association Nursing Professional Development's (ANPD) Practice Model, the NPD Specialist acts as a change agent, learning facilitator, mentor, leader, champion for scientific inquiry, and partner for practice transitions. This role fosters a culture of clinical excellence, innovation, and professional growth, driving improvements in staff competence, patient care outcomes, and service line or system-wide initiatives.

Orientation and Onboarding:

1. Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of onboarding programs for nurses and interprofessional staff.

2. Collaborates with leaders to ensure orientation aligns with strategic goals and staffing models.

3. Supports role transition programs such as nurse residency, preceptor training, and fellowship models.

Competency Management:

1. Oversees the development, validation, and implementation of competency frameworks across the organization.

2. Assesses system-wide learning needs through gap analysis, performance data, and regulatory requirements.

3. Applies evidence-based tools to evaluate staff proficiency and professional growth.

Education and Training:

1. Designs and delivers advanced educational content using multiple modalities (e.g., in-person, eLearning, simulation).

2. Develops continuing education activities aligned with ANCC criteria.

3. Ensures integration of adult learning theory, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice in all education initiatives.

Role Development:

1. Supports role-specific development (e.g., novice-to-expert transitions, leadership development, and advanced practice).

2. Coaches nurses in career planning, certification preparation, and professional goal setting. 3. Promotes lifelong learning and reflective practice.

Collaborative Partnerships:

1. Partners with interprofessional teams, quality leaders, HR, and executive nursing leadership to align educational goals with system priorities.

2. Serves as a consultant on change initiatives, clinical transformation, and accreditation readiness.

3. Leads or participates in committees, councils, and strategic planning groups.

Quality Improvement and Evidence-Based Practice:

1. Partners with interprofessional teams, quality leaders, HR, and executive nursing leadership to align educational goals with system priorities.

2. Uses data and outcomes to evaluate effectiveness of NPD interventions.

3. Promotes a culture of innovation, critical inquiry, and continuous improvement.

Additional Duties as Assigned.

Travel: Less than 10% of the time may be required between clinical sites may be required Work Type: On-site - Works in the office or at a physical workplace, interacting with colleagues face-to-face

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education - Master's Degree in Nursing

Experience - 3 years of clinical nursing experience and 2 years in a specialty or system-based performance/quality role

Licensure - Valid, active unencumbered nursing license approved by the Georgia Licensing Board

Certification - BLS and Certification in Nursing Professional Development (e.g. NPD-BX) or obtained within 9 months of hire

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (required): - Demonstrated expertise in NPD Practice Model roles (learning facilitator, change agent, leader, etc.) - Strong presentation and facilitation skills - Data-driven decision-making and project management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Education - Doctoral degree (DNP or PHD)

Experience - 1. Proficiency with Leaning Management Systems (LMS), simulation technology, and data analytics tool, 2. Instructional design 3. Deep understanding of regulatory/accreditation standards (e.g. Magnet, The Joint Commission, ANCC)

Certification - ACLS and/or PALS if applicable or other specialty certification

Additional Details

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