Nursing Professional Development Practitioner I

University of Maryland Medical System; Chestertown (MD); On-site; USD 122,181,000 - 183,386,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Medical System in Maryland seeks a Nursing Education Leader to provide leadership, education, and competency-based programs for unit-level care and frontline nursing practice.

Under limited supervision, you will coordinate orientation, support preceptors, and mentor clinical staff, advancing evidence-based practice and patient safety. This role emphasizes collaboration, program development, and regulatory compliance to sustain high-quality care.

Qualifications

• Clinical and professional knowledge of current issues relevant to patient care delivery
• Knowledge in professional development, group process, change management, and emerging leadership

Responsibilities

• Coordinates clinical orientation for unit new hires and ensures orientation content aligns with unit policies and procedures
• Collaborates with department managers to choose and assign preceptors
• Supports initial and ongoing competency programs for the unit and ensures criteria meet compliance, quality, and regulatory needs
• Conducts unit practice gap analyses and learning needs assessments to develop, implement, and evaluate education programs
• Maintains role transition programs for new-to-practice staff and staff transitioning from one specialty or role to another in alignment with accreditation requirements
• Supports evidence-based practice improvements to facilitate the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care processes at the unit/divisional level
• Monitors unit compliance with hospital and regulatory standards and develops and implements strategies to address identified practice gaps
• Consults, supports, and mentors clinical nursing staff in collaboration with unit leadership. In conjunction with unit leadership, identifies and analyzes trends in satisfaction, quality outcomes, and practice excellence using data to guide continuing educational efforts and initiatives to advance nursing practice
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Skills

Clinical knowledge

Professional development

Group process

Change management

Emerging leadership

Education

BSN

RN licensure in Maryland

Emergency Department experience

Graduate degree preferred

Nursing certification preferred

Job description

General Summary:

Under limited supervision, provides leadership, expertise, and professional support services to direct care staff and leaders in nursing and patient care services at the unit l level. Serving as an educator, consultant, collaborator, facilitator, and change agent, this role supports excellence in clinical care, patient care, and nursing practice. The role delivers essential education, orientation, and competency-based programs that strengthen clinical knowledge and ensure consistency in unit-level practice. The scope of responsibility and accountability aligns with professional standards and continuously evolves to meet the demands of the practice setting while promoting frontline clinical development.

Job Requirements

Under limited supervision, provides leadership, expertise, and professional support services to direct care staff and leaders in nursing and patient care services at the unit l level. Serving as an educator, consultant, collaborator, facilitator, and change agent, this role supports excellence in clinical care, patient care, and nursing practice. The role delivers essential education, orientation, and competency-based programs that strengthen clinical knowledge and ensure consistency in unit-level practice. The scope of responsibility and accountability aligns with professional standards and continuously evolves to meet the demands of the practice setting while promoting frontline clinical development.

Primary Responsibilities

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level and of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities performed.

• Coordinates clinical orientation for unit new hires and ensures orientation content aligns with unit policies and procedures
• Collaborates with department managers to choose and assign preceptors
• Supports initial and ongoing competency programs for the unit and ensures criteria meet compliance, quality, and regulatory needs
• Conducts unit practice gap analyses and learning needs assessments to develop, implement, and evaluate education programs.
• Maintains role transition programs for new-to-practice staff and staff transitioning from one specialty or role to another in alignment with accreditation requirements at the unit and/or divisional level.
• Supports evidence-based practice improvements to facilitate the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care processes at the unit/divisional level. Provides leadership to accomplish objectives through innovation and expert knowledge.
• Monitors unit compliance with hospital and regulatory standards and develops and implements strategies to address identified practice gaps.
• Consults, supports, and mentors clinical nursing staff in collaboration with unit leadership. In conjunction with unit leadership, identifies and analyzes trends in satisfaction, quality outcomes, and practice excellence using data to guide continuing educational efforts and initiatives to advance nursing practice.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Clinical and professional knowledge of current issues relevant to patient care delivery. Additional knowledge in the areas of professional development, group process, change management, and emerging leadership is also required.
• Demonstrates ability to manage programs, staff, and small-scale projects with minimal support. Demonstrates ability to plan, organize, and follow through on assignments and/or projects. Ability to analyze and conceptually develop ideas, proposals and programs within existing frameworks.
• Ability to develop collaborative programs and projects with other disciplines is required. Must be able to contribute to team effectiveness, build relationships, and facilitate improvements.
• Demonstrates emerging leadership abilities, including collaborative, consultative and coaching skills.
• Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age-specific needs.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, complete, and evaluate assignments and/or projects and to collaborate with others to plan and implement initiatives.

Minimum Education, Experience, And License/Certification Required

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited graduate program is required.
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland, or eligible for licensure in Maryland.
• A minimum of two (2) years of related (Emergency Department) experience is required.
• Graduate degree preferred.
• Certification in Nursing Professional Development or specialty certification preferred.

Benefits

All of your information will be kept confidential in accordance with EEO guidelines.

Compensation

• Full-Time, Days ( some evening/night shifts required)
• Pay Range: $42.64 - $64.00/hr. (Exempt)
• Other Compensation (if applicable): NA
• Review UMMS Benefits Overview:
• 2026-2027 New Hire Benefits.pdf