Clinical Professional Development Specialist

UPMC; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Altoona is seeking a Clinical Professional Development Specialist to advance frontline staff education, mentor teams, and support safe, high-quality patient care.

The role focuses on orientation, ongoing clinical education, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to drive continuous improvement and a positive patient experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, BSN preferred; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience.
• Med/Surg and Behavioral Health experience preferred.
• Relevant teaching experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead unit-based onboarding and orientation for new clinical staff
• Provide ongoing education to support patient assessment, care planning, implementation, evaluation, teaching, and discharge planning
• Identify learning needs and design education strategies that support quality outcomes and patient experience
• Deliver education across various formats and schedules, including non-traditional hours as needed
• Serve as a formal and informal mentor to new clinical staff and preceptors
• Build strong working relationships through positive communication, coaching, and collaboration
• Develop and deliver professional coaching and feedback aligned with UPMC Experience initiatives (e.g., Bedside Shift Report, Hourly Rounding, AIDET)
• Act as a clinical resource and consultant for nursing staff, interdisciplinary teams, patients, and families within areas of specialty
• Support patient education initiatives by ensuring frontline staff are well-prepared to meet patient learning needs
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, ensuring clarity, engagement, and knowledge retention
• Participate in department-based performance improvement initiatives
• Engage in professional and community organizations to support ongoing development and best practices
• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies and organizational behaviors

Job description

UPMC Altoona is seeking a Clinical Professional Development Specialist to support excellence in patient care through high-quality clinical education. This role is ideal for a clinician who is passionate about teaching, mentoring, and supporting frontline staff while promoting the UPMC Patient Experience. This role will provide immediate, at the elbow support, for educating staff on Med/Surg and Behavioral Health Units.

• Candidate will be hired into the appropriate job title (Clinical Professional Development Specialist or Senior Clinical Professional Development Specialist) & salary grade based on experience and education*

Position Overview

The Clinical Professional Development Specialist is responsible for the delivery of orientation and ongoing clinical education for assigned clinical areas. This role ensures staff have the knowledge, skills, and support needed to provide safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Working closely with frontline teams, this position serves as both educator and mentor, supporting professional growth and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Education & Onboarding

• Lead unit-based onboarding and orientation for new clinical staff
• Provide ongoing education to support patient assessment, care planning, implementation, evaluation, teaching, and discharge planning
• Identify learning needs and design education strategies that support quality outcomes and patient experience
• Deliver education across various formats and schedules, including non-traditional hours as needed

Staff Support, Coaching & Mentorship

• Serve as a formal and informal mentor to new clinical staff and preceptors
• Build strong working relationships through positive communication, coaching, and collaboration
• Develop and deliver professional coaching and feedback aligned with UPMC Experience initiatives (e.g., Bedside Shift Report, Hourly Rounding, AIDET)

Clinical Resource & Collaboration

• Act as a clinical resource and consultant for nursing staff, interdisciplinary teams, patients, and families within areas of specialty
• Support patient education initiatives by ensuring frontline staff are well-prepared to meet patient learning needs
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, ensuring clarity, engagement, and knowledge retention

Quality Improvement & Professional Engagement

• Participate in department-based performance improvement initiatives
• Engage in professional and community organizations to support ongoing development and best practices
• Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies and organizational behaviors

Why Join UPMC Altoona?

At UPMC Altoona, education is a cornerstone of clinical excellence. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on patient care, support staff success, and grow within a nationally recognized health system committed to quality, teamwork, and innovation.

Clinical Professional Development Specialist Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (BSN preferred); Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience required
• Med/Surg and Behavioral Health experience is preferred
• Relevant teaching experience preferred

Senior Clinical Professional Development Qualifications

• MSN or Master's degree required
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience required
• Med/Surg and Behavioral Health experience is preferred
• 2 years of teaching experience required

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hireUPMC approved certification preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran