Nursing Professional Development Specialist / Outpatient Surgical Services

Overview

Be inspired. Be rewarded. Belong. At Emory Healthcare. Benefits include comprehensive health benefits, student loan repayment assistance, family-focused benefits, wellness incentives, ongoing mentorship, and development programs.

Experience

Required. Experience in care of surgical patients preferred.

Description

The System Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Specialist supports lifelong learning, professional development, and the advancement of nursing practice across the continuum of care. Key responsibilities include:

• Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of onboarding programs for nurses and interprofessional staff.
• Collaborates with leaders to ensure orientation aligns with strategic goals and staffing models.
• Supports role transition programs such as nurse residency, preceptor training, and fellowship models.
• Oversees the development, validation, and implementation of competency frameworks across the organization.
• Affirms system-wide learning needs through gap analysis, performance data, and regulatory requirements.
• Applies evidence-based tools to evaluate staff proficiency and professional growth.
• Designs and delivers advanced educational content using multiple modalities (e.g., in-person, eLearning, simulation).
• Develops continuing education activities aligned with ANCC criteria.
• Ensures integration of adult learning theory, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice in all education initiatives.
• Supports role-specific development (e.g., novice-to-expert transitions, leadership development, and advanced practice).
• Coaches nurses in career planning, certification preparation, and professional goal setting.
• Promotes lifelong learning and reflective practice.
• Collaborates with interprofessional teams, quality leaders, HR, and executive nursing leadership to align educational goals with system priorities.
• Serves as a consultant on change initiatives, clinical transformation, and accreditation readiness.
• Leads or participates in committees, councils, and strategic planning groups.
• Partners with interprofessional teams, quality leaders, HR, and executive nursing leadership to align educational goals with system priorities.
• Uses data and outcomes to evaluate effectiveness of NPD interventions.
• Promotes a culture of innovation, critical inquiry, and continuous improvement.

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: Doctoral degree (DNP or PHD), proficiency with Learning Management Systems (LMS), simulation technology, and data analytics tools, instructional design, deep understanding of regulatory/accreditation standards (e.g. Magnet, The Joint Commission, ANCC)

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified individuals with disabilities will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org. One week's advance notice is preferred.