Nursing Professional Development Practitioner II

University of Maryland Medical System; La Plata (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Medical System in Maryland is seeking a Nursing Education Specialist to provide leadership, education, and professional support to direct care staff and unit leaders. The role focuses on building education programs, orientation, and competency development to uphold clinical excellence and consistent nursing practice.

The position emphasizes collaboration with managers, program design and evaluation, and the deployment of evidence-based initiatives to advance patient safety

Qualifications

• BSN from an accredited program is required.
• Maryland RN license or eligibility to practice in Maryland.
• Minimum of three years of related experience including critical care.
• Certification in Nursing Professional Development or another specialty.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and evaluate clinical orientation for unit/divisional new hires.
• Collaborate with department managers to select and evaluate preceptors.
• Lead design, implementation, and evaluation of initial and ongoing competency programs.
• Conduct learning needs assessments and gap analyses to develop and evaluate education programs.
• Develop and sustain role transition programs for new-to-practice staff.
• Promote evidence-based practice to enhance clinical quality and patient safety.
• Monitor unit/divisional compliance with standards and implement improvement plans.
• Serve as consultant and educator to nursing staff, using data to inform education efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Education Program Development

Clinical Education

Change Management

Collaboration

Education

BSN

Maryland RN License

3+ years critical care

Nursing Professional Development Certification

Tools

Educational Technologies

Job description

Job Summary

Focus area 3rd Floor: ICU, Stoke/Tele, Med/Surg Tele.

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 and/or divisional 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 ensures consistency in unit‑and‑divisional‑level practice. The scope of responsibility and accountability aligns with professional standards and continuously evolves to meet the demands of the practice setting.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinates and continuously evaluates clinical orientation for unit/divisional new hires and ensures orientation content aligns with policies and procedures; incorporates feedback and outcome data to drive ongoing improvements.
• Collaborates with department managers to strategically select, assign, and evaluate preceptors, ensuring appropriate role modeling and competency validation.
• Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of initial and ongoing competency programs for the unit and/or division and ensures criteria meet compliance, quality, and regulatory needs.
• Conducts comprehensive practice gap analyses and learning needs assessments to develop, implement, and evaluate education programs.
• Develops, implements, and sustains 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.
• Integrates and promotes evidence‑based practice initiatives to enhance clinical quality, patient safety, and cost‑effective patient care processes at the unit/divisional level. Serves as a resource and change agent to support innovation and adoption at the unit/divisional level.
• Monitors and analyzes unit/divisional compliance with hospital and regulatory standards; develops, implements, and evaluates action plans to address identified practice gaps and sustain improvements.
• Serves as a consultant, mentor, and educator to clinical nursing staff in collaboration with unit/divisional leadership; partners to analyze trends in satisfaction, quality outcomes, and practice excellence using data to inform and advance ongoing educational efforts and initiatives to advance nursing practice.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Experience

Education & Experience – 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 three (3) years of related experience is required, including critical care.
• Certification in Nursing Professional Development or other specialty certification.

Education & Experience – Preferred

• Graduate degree preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & 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 effective leadership also required.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage programs, staff and large‑scale projects. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and follow through on assignments and/or projects. Ability to analyze and conceptually develop ideas, proposals and programs.
• 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.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including collaborative, consultative and coaching skills are required.
• 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. Demonstrated ability to analyze and to conceptually develop ideas, programs and projects and provide guidelines for implementation.

EEO Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation

• Other Compensation (if applicable):
• Review the 2025-2026 UMMS Benefits Guide