Clinical Professional Development Specialist

Are you experienced in the Operating Room or PACU and love teaching, mentoring, and empowering others? This is a unique opportunity to step into a visible, hands‑on educational role where you’ll make a real impact every day.

As a Clinical Professional Development Specialist, you’ll work directly on the unit, providing real‑time coaching, support, and skill development for our nursing staff. You’ll be a trusted resource and partner—helping elevate clinical practice, strengthen confidence, and enhance patient outcomes. 

NOTE:  Clinical experience from any healthcare discipline is welcome — nursing experience is preferred but not required.

*Candidate will be placed into the appropriate job title (Clinical Professional Development Specialist OR Senior Clinical Professional Development Specialist) based on experience and education.

If you’re passionate about developing others, elevating clinical practice, and shaping an exceptional patient experience, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across our care teams.

About the Role

The Clinical Professional Development Specialist plays a key role in supporting clinical excellence across the organization. This position is responsible for designing, delivering, and sustaining high‑quality clinical education for frontline staff. The primary focus includes onboarding, orientation, and ongoing professional development to ensure clinicians are equipped to provide outstanding patient care and uphold the UPMC Patient Experience.

What You’ll Do

Education & Professional Development

• Lead unit‑based onboarding and orientation for new clinical staff.
• Teach and support staff in managing patient care, including assessment, interdisciplinary planning, implementation, evaluation, patient teaching, and discharge planning.
• Identify learning needs and tailor education to support staff competency and growth.
• Provide both formal and informal mentoring to new clinical staff and preceptors.
• Promote and reinforce UPMC Experience initiatives such as Bedside Shift Report, Hourly Rounding, and AIDET.

Clinical Support & Collaboration

• Serve as a resource and consultant for clinical staff, patients, and interdisciplinary team members within your specialty area.
• Support frontline staff in delivering effective patient education.
• Build strong, productive working relationships through positive communication, collaboration, and team‑building.

Quality & Organizational Engagement

• Participate in department‑based performance improvement initiatives.
• Engage in professional and community organizations to support ongoing development.
• Provide training and education during non‑traditional hours as needed to meet unit demands.
• Demonstrate system‑wide competencies and uphold organizational standards.

What You Bring

• Clinical background in any healthcare discipline (nursing preferred).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage learners and convey information clearly.
• A passion for coaching, mentoring, and helping others grow.
• Commitment to high‑quality patient care and an exceptional patient experience.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse clinical teams.

Clinical Professional Development Specialist Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience required
  • Operating Room and/or PACU experience is strongly preferred

• Relevant teaching experience preferred

  
  
  Senior Clinical Professional Development Specialist Qualifications:

• MSN or Master's degree required

   

• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience required
  • Operating Room and/or PACU experience is strongly preferred

• Relevant teaching experience preferred

  
   

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• 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

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran