Nursing Professional Development Specialist / Ambulatory Services

Emory Healthcare Nursing Professional Development Specialist

Be inspired. Be rewarded. Belong. At Emory Healthcare.

At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be. We provide:

• Comprehensive health benefits that start day 1
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs
• Family-focused benefits
• Wellness incentives
• Ongoing mentorship, development, and leadership programs
• And more

Duties Responsibilities and Commitment:

• This role will require travel across the ambulatory clinics and is a hybrid position (one day a week)
• (Office workspace, supplies, and computer will be provided)

Job Description

Job Summary:

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.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

• Orientation and Onboarding: 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.
• Competency Management: Oversees the development, validation, and implementation of competency frameworks across the organization. Assesses system-wide learning needs through gap analysis, performance data, and regulatory requirements. Applies evidence-based tools to evaluate staff proficiency and professional growth.
• Education and Training: 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.
• Role Development: 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.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Partners 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.
• Quality Improvement and Evidence-Based Practice: 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. 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 - Proficiency with Learning Management Systems (LMS), simulation technology, and data analytics tool, Instructional design Deep understanding of regulatory/accreditation standards (e.g. Magnet, The Joint Commission, ANCC)
• Certification - ACLS and/or PALS if applicable or other specialty certification

Physical Requirements: (Medium / Max 25lbs): up to 25 lbs, 0-33% of the work day (occasionally); 11-25 lbs, 34-66% of the workday (frequently); 01-10 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly); Lifting 25 lbs max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs; Occasional to frequent standing and walking; Occasional sitting; Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing); Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks. Environmental factors: Factors affecting environment conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and work tasks. Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to: blood-borne pathogen exposure bio-hazardous waste, chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, communicable disease electrical shock, floor surfaces, hot/cold temperatures, indoor/outdoor conditions, latex, lighting, patient care/handling injuries, radiation, shift work. Travel will be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators. Environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.