The Ambulatory Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS) influences ambulatory professional role competence and professional growth of learners in a variety of settings. The NPDS leads programmatic strategies that strengthen the ambulatory clinical workforce through academic-practice partnerships, evidence-based practice (EBP) and research capacity building, process and performance improvement, policy development, and measurable quality outcomes. The role integrates adult learning principles, change management, and project management to translate science into practice and to sustain excellence in patient outcomes, staff engagement, and organizational performance. This role fosters a culture of clinical excellence and promotes the guidance, principles, and best practices outlined by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care (AAACN) and supports continued recognition as a Magnet® organization by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This position provides expert consultation, direction, leadership and accountability for professional development and empowerment of staff as well as management of resources to promote desired outcomes with attention to quality, efficiency and cost.
The Ambulatory NPD Specialist acts as a leader for practice transitions, transfer of knowledge, skills and attitudes and as a change agent to promote organizational and practice excellence by: Functioning as partner, consultant and collaborator for interprofessional colleagues in the development and dissemination of education on clinical practice changes, regulatory requirements, organizational priorities, safety events, policy and procedure for ambulatory enterprise priorities.
Assesses organizational readiness for change and acts as adaptive expert to implement effective programs for sustainable change. Apply structured change management (e.g., ADKAR/ Kotter) to implement new clinical workflows, technologies (Epic Optimization), and care models (team-based care, nurse-led protocols).
Supports professional development and creation of clinical workforce pipelines, through the development and support of programs such as transition to practice, preceptor, mentoring, and clinical advancement opportunities.
Use project management methodologies to scope, plan, execute, and sustain high-impact initiatives; maintain project charters and timelines.
Consults with key stakeholders to identify practice gaps and collaborates on practice improvement, organizational priorities to improve key quality indicators for organization.
Develop and steward strategic academic partnerships with schools of Nursing and allied programs to support transition to practice, enhance student placements, and foster scholarly collaborations.
Supports a culture of engagement through enhancing shared governance, EBP and nursing research readiness to drive quality care and improve patient outcomes.
Participates in departmental and organizational strategic planning, ad hoc projects and educational programs as requested by interprofessional colleagues to advance VCUHS goal achievement.
Participates in policy development to ensure policies integrate current evidence-based practice and regulatory standards; align ambulatory practice with enterprise standards where applicable.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Patient Population: N/A
Required Education: Master’s degree in nursing or related field. If Master’s Degree is not in nursing, then it is required to have a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing.
Preferred Education: Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
Licensure/Certification Required: Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible or compact state, AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent
Licensure/Certification Preferred: Certification in Nursing Professional Development or clinical specialty area, AHA Basic Life Support Instructor certification or equivalent
Years and Type of Required Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of clinical nursing experience; including a minimum three (3) years of current experience in staff education and professional development (orientation, preceptorship, in-services education, etc.)
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: N/A
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: Preferred Experience in Academic health care experience Education/training, Preferred progressive experience in staff education and professional development (orientation, preceptorship, in-service education, etc.)
Working Conditions: Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc. Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.
Long-distance or air travel as needed- not to exceed 10% travel. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids. * May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials. * May have periods of constant interruptions. Prolonged periods of working alone.
Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Climbing, Balance, Bending
Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing
Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Color Vision, Acuity – far, Acuity – near
Hazards: Depth perception, Use of Latex Gloves, Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents, Exposure to moving mechanical parts, Exposure to dust/fumes, Exposure to potential electrical shock, Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy, Exposure to high pitched noises, Gaseous risk exposure
Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady Pace, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Noisy Environment, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change
Compensation Range
$78,250.00 - $133,578.00
Actual salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications.
Days
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran
We are a strong, passionate team of more than 12,500 who take pride in caring for every person who comes through our doors. We lift each other up so we can provide the very best and safest care to those who need us most. Together. Every day.
With the support of our university, we make up an academic medical center committed to excellence in patient care, innovation and training tomorrow’s health care workforce. We continue to educate, research and evolve – staying on the cutting edge of care.
As a community of innovators, every team member can contribute a spark of ingenuity igniting a force to discover the next cure, hold the next hand, solve the greatest challenges and create the health care of tomorrow.
We foster an atmosphere of respect and welcoming for all communities. We infuse our teams with diverse talent that inspires everyone to contribute openly and freely, maximizing their impact and creating meaningful change for our patients and community.
Join our team and help us create a new kind of patient experience. Join VCU Health.
EEO Statement:
VCU Health System strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against, or harassment of, team members, applicants, or any other covered persons because of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex (sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and pregnancy), protected veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay Transparency Provisions:
VCU Health System complies with the Pay Transparency Provisions.
