Clinical Professional Development Specialist Operating Room

UPMC • Pittsburgh, PA

2d

About The Position

At UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, we are more than a hospital — we are a trusted partner in every stage of a woman’s life. From groundbreaking research and advanced treatments to compassionate, personalized care, Magee has been a leader in women’s health for generations. Whether welcoming new life, supporting complex health needs, or guiding patients through every milestone, our experts combine innovation with empathy to deliver care that inspires confidence and comfort. UPMC Magee is honored to have been designated as a Magnet-designated hospital – twice! At Magee, we don’t just treat patients — we care for people, families, and futures. Join us and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of women’s health.
UPMC Magee‑Womens Hospital—recognized nationally for excellence in women’s health and proudly holding Magnet designation—is home to a high‑performing Operating Room that supports more than 15,000 surgeries each year across 14 ORs, 2 procedure rooms, and a dedicated cysto suite, with additional collaboration in the OB ORs. Our team provides surgical care in a wide range of specialties, including surgical oncology, breast surgery, plastics and reconstruction, bariatrics, general surgery, vascular, urology, urogynecology, and GI procedures. The OR at Magee is known for its strong professional development culture, offering resources such as AORN involvement, Periop 101, clear clinical career ladders, and robust educational support. Nurses benefit from competitive programs—including loan repayment, tuition assistance, and generous PTO—while working in a collaborative environment that values growth, teamwork, and excellence in patient care.
What can you Expect as a Clinical Professional Development Specialist?
The Clinical Professional Development Specialist, a professional registered nurse, has the authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of nursing education. The Clinical Professional Development Specialist applies expert knowledge and skills to provide the educational support needed to achieve quality patient care outcomes. The Clinical Professional Development Specialist must demonstrate the knowledge and educational skills necessary to assess, plan and provide the educational programs that are required.

As a Clinical Professional Development Specialist, you will actively participate in department or practice-specific quality improvement efforts and identify opportunities for quality improvement to colleagues and management. You will utilize research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identify research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest as well as facilitate/mentor staff for projects/EBP/research activities and promote best practice dissemination (presentations, publications, etc.). You will receive feedback and direction constructively while serving as a formal and informal mentor for new staff members and mentor new preceptors to be successful in their roles. Serving as a resource/consultant for patients, nursing staff, and other disciplines in area of specialty and participating in department-based Performance Improvement projects are core responsibilities of a Clinical Professional Development Specialist
You will facilitate orientation and general continuing education programs and utilize the nursing process in teaching staff how to manage the care of patients including assessment, interdisciplinary planning, implementation, evaluation of patient care, teaching, and discharge planning. A Clinical Professional Development Specialist will lead in the development of standards of nursing care and nursing policies and identify, communicate, and respond to meet the learning needs of nursing staff as well as develop, implement, and evaluate orientation and continuing education programs based on learning needs, clinical priorities, and organizational resources. You will facilitate staff initiatives to improve patient care and comply with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions while promoting patient education and serving as a clinical practice resource.
The Clinical Professional Development Specialist demonstrates awareness of the impact of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department and organization and takes a leading role in major hospital-wide projects. You will assume responsibility for complex assignments and view problems as challenges, apply creative and innovative strategies in problem-solving to achieve desired goals, and facilitate student experiences as appropriate. You will develop clinical specialty courses to meet nursing needs and provide council or specialty project leadership.
Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job.
Applicants will be placed in the appropriate job title and salary from the Clinical Education Career Ladder, based on their individual experience and education.
How does UPMC Support our Employees?
UPMC is committed to investing in employees –financially, personally, and professionally –starting on day one of your career. From tackling student loans to advancing your career later in life, UPMC is the partner you need to succeed and thrive in your career.
Here are a few examples of how we support our nurses:

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience required
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire. UPMC approved certification preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Act 34

Nice To Haves

• Relevant teaching experience preferred
• Operating room expertise preferred.
• Education/Leadership experience preferred
• Professional nursing certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in department or practice-specific quality improvement efforts and identify opportunities for quality improvement to colleagues and management.
• Utilize research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identify research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest as well as facilitate/mentor staff for projects/EBP/research activities and promote best practice dissemination (presentations, publications, etc.).
• Receive feedback and direction constructively while serving as a formal and informal mentor for new staff members and mentor new preceptors to be successful in their roles.
• Serve as a resource/consultant for patients, nursing staff, and other disciplines in area of specialty and participating in department-based Performance Improvement projects
• Facilitate orientation and general continuing education programs and utilize the nursing process in teaching staff how to manage the care of patients including assessment, interdisciplinary planning, implementation, evaluation of patient care, teaching, and discharge planning.
• Lead in the development of standards of nursing care and nursing policies and identify, communicate, and respond to meet the learning needs of nursing staff as well as develop, implement, and evaluate orientation and continuing education programs based on learning needs, clinical priorities, and organizational resources.
• Facilitate staff initiatives to improve patient care and comply with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions while promoting patient education and serving as a clinical practice resource.
• Demonstrate awareness of the impact of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department and organization and takes a leading role in major hospital-wide projects.
• Assume responsibility for complex assignments and view problems as challenges, apply creative and innovative strategies in problem-solving to achieve desired goals, and facilitate student experiences as appropriate.
• Develop clinical specialty courses to meet nursing needs and provide council or specialty project leadership.

Benefits

• Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off annually, plus seven paid holidays each year
• Dedicated career ladders, you to achieve your highest potential while rewarding you for your experience and advanced education
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents (plus discounts for UPMC employees including no cost RN-BSN/MSN options!)
• Top clinicians, leading researchers, and the most modern equipment and technology in health care today
• loan repayment
• tuition assistance
• generous PTO

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees