(CNS) Clinical Nurse Specialist - Periop - 140826

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health in San Diego, CA seeks a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for perioperative services to lead clinical practice across pre-op, intraoperative, and recovery. The CNS will collaborate with nursing leadership to develop policies, programs, and evidence-based practice in a magnet-designated academic health system.

This full-time, 100% appointment is a senior clinical role with extensive OR experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Nursing and RN licensure in California.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist license or equivalent advanced practice certification.
• BLS/CPR certification at hire with plan to obtain additional certs within 6 months.
• 5+ years of recent, relevant clinical experience in intraoperative OR nursing.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects and develop policies and programs for nursing practice.
• Collaborate with nursing management to implement evidence-based care.
• Serve as the clinical nurse leader for a perioperative program and train staff.

Skills

Intraoperative nursing

Clinical leadership

Advanced practice nursing

Education

Master's degree in Nursing

RN license (California)

CNS license or equivalent

Job description

Payroll Title: CLIN NURSE OR ADV PRACT SPEC 4

Department: NURSING EDUCATION

Hiring Pay Scale: $184,000 - $209,000 / Year

Worksite: Various

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: Uncovered

Total Openings: 3

Work Schedule: Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

#140826 (CNS) Clinical Nurse Specialist - Periop

Filing Deadline: Tue 8/18/2026

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 8/7/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is proud to be a four-time Magnet-designated organization and has now earned Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to the highest-performing Magnet organizations, with only a select few earning this prestigious honor. This recognition reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

As an organization or systemwide recognized expert in one or more specialty areas, the Clinical Specialist applies comprehensive knowledge of professional concepts and industry practices to lead projects of large size and scope that have critical impact. Collaborates with nursing management in developing new strategies, policies, and programs and implementing them within nursing clinical practice areas.

The Clinical Specialist serves as the clinical nurse leader for a program or area of nursing practice. Utilizes specialized knowledge and skills within major areas of focus, such as patient / family, nurses and nursing practice, and the organization / system. Typically partners with the nurse manager in leading the nursing clinical practice area. This is the journey level for an advanced practice clinical nurse specialist.

This Clinical Nurse Specialist must have focused clinical expertise in Intraoperative (OR) nursing and is used to cover all of the areas from pre-op through OR through recovery. The job posting range is $184,408 to $209,186 depending on experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Nursing.
• Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the state of California.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) license issued by the state of California or licensure / certification in another advanced nurse practice discipline.
• BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six (6) months of hire date.
• Five (5+) or more years of recent and relevant clinical experience including recent focused clinical expertise in Intraoperative (OR) nursing including covering all of the areas from pre-op through OR through recovery.
• In-depth knowledge of one or more clinical specialty areas, to include diagnoses, treatments, standards of practice and patient / family educational consulting and resources.
• Advanced knowledge of methodology for conducting evidence-based research, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess highly-complex issues and develop multiple options for resolution.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide education, training, and direction to nursing staff, and to develop positive working relationships with patients, families, employees, and outside agencies as required.
• Advanced skills in written and verbal communications, with the ability to convey complex and / or sensitive information in a clear and concise manner.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CNOR/CSSM/CNS-CP/CNAMB certification(s)
• Recent clinical experience in intraoperative nursing.
• Five (5+) or more years of recent and relevant educator experience.
• Specialty certification in related nursing field.
• Evidence of training in health equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Experience in academic medical center.
• Experience with professional presentations and publication including working on improve education and process improvement health initiatives.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $136,600 - $267,600 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $65.42 - $128.16

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit https://smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace