Registered Nurse Navigator (RN) - Early Development Clinic, Children's Hospital

For an experienced pediatric nurse who thrives at the intersection of clinical judgment, family education, care coordination, and developmental follow-up, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to influence outcomes for some of UVA Health Children’s most vulnerable infants and families.

As a Registered Nurse Navigator in the Early Development Clinic, you will help strengthen the continuity of care for high-risk infants after NICU discharge, including extremely preterm infants and infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. This is a role for a confident RN who enjoys autonomy, critical thinking, problem solving, and being a steady clinical resource for families navigating complex developmental care.

The Role

The Early Development Clinic is expanding as UVA Health grows its NICU and related developmental programs, including Neuro EDC, Village Care EDC, and the new Cardiac EDC. In this role, you will serve as a key clinical connector between families, providers, NICU teams, pediatric specialists, RN Care Coordinators, and statewide partners.

This is not a traditional hands-on bedside nursing role. It is a high-impact navigator role focused on communication, teaching, triage, developmental tracking, and coordinated follow-up. The ideal candidate will bring strong pediatric experience, comfort working with premature infants or medically complex pediatric populations, and the confidence to work both independently and collaboratively.

A typical day may include:

• Rounding in the NICU on infants preparing for discharge and helping support a smooth transition into developmental follow-up.
• Coordinating clinic activity at Riverside while helping families understand next steps, appointments, and ongoing care needs.
• Improving family communication through timely triage, follow-up, education, and care navigation.
• Supporting accurate developmental tracking, reporting, and coordination across an expanding patient population.
• Helping reduce no-shows, delayed visits, and gaps in developmental surveillance.
• Collaborating closely with providers, the clinical team, NICU discharge coordination, Complex Care RNCC, and other RN Care Coordinators.
• Using autonomy, clinical judgment, and problem solving to manage a growing panel of high-risk infants and families.

Success in this role means becoming comfortable independently managing the patient population, building trusted relationships with families and interdisciplinary partners, and helping UVA Health continue to deliver timely, coordinated developmental care for infants who need close follow-up.

Why UVA Health

UVA Health Children’s offers the chance to practice pediatric nursing within one of the nation’s premier academic health systems and the #1 children’s hospital in Virginia. UVA Health is an integrated health system with a world-class academic medical center that includes a Level I trauma center, Level IV NICU, UVA Health Children’s, and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Virginia.

For a nurse interested in developmental pediatrics, NICU transitions, and care navigation, this role places you in a strategically important program focused on early detection, developmental surveillance, family support, and coordination for high-risk infants. The Early Development Clinic team is growing to meet the needs of expanding neonatal and pediatric programs, making this an excellent opportunity for an RN who wants to help shape a service line with meaningful clinical impact.

At UVA Health, you will find:

• A nationally recognized pediatric academic environment with access to advanced specialty care, neonatal expertise, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Magnet-recognized nursing excellence, professional governance, nursing research, quality improvement, and career growth pathways.
• A role with autonomy and flexibility, including some remote work after onboarding.
• A Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule in a clinic and office-based setting.
• A collaborative team culture where nurses work closely with providers, clinical teams, NICU partners, Complex Care RNCC, and other RN Care Coordinators.
• The opportunity to support infants and families during a critical transition from intensive neonatal care into long-term developmental follow-up.
• A position that values critical thinking, independent decision-making, family-centered communication, and coordination of care.

Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville

Charlottesville offers the kind of quality of life that helps healthcare professionals build a rewarding career without losing balance outside of work. Set near the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area offers easy access to hiking, scenic drives, vineyards, local food, music, arts, and a vibrant downtown community. It combines the culture and amenities of a larger city with the warmth and accessibility of a smaller community, making it especially appealing for professionals and families who value outdoor access, strong local character, and a lifestyle that supports both meaningful work and personal well-being.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program.

Experience: Experience: 1 year of registered nursing experience required, 3 years of related and relevant registered nursing experience strongly preferred.

Licensure/Certification: Licensed to Practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider BLS certification is required. Specialty Board Certification strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently traveling, and bending/stooping. Proficient communicative, auditory, and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20 - 50lbs. May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids, and infectious diseases.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off, Long-term and Short-term Disability, Retirement Savings

• Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts

• Certification and education support

• Generous Paid Time Off

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.