Professional Practice Specialist

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the System Director Professional Practice Brown University Health, the Professional Practice Specialist designs, delivers, and evaluates professional practice initiatives across the continuum of care, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practice, accreditation standards, and system priorities. The Professional Practice Specialist supports work force development, student nurse interns, nurse residency programs, and professional governance activities with a focus on unit-based councils and night shift council. The professional practice specialist supports ongoing professional development by applying adult learning principles and leveraging innovative modalities to implement professional practice standards with a focus on the off shift. Through data-informed strategies, the professional practice specialist fosters a culture of inquiry, continuous improvement, and professional growth, ultimately enhancing the professional practice environment, nursing engagement, and retention.

As a key member of the leadership team, the professional practice specialist facilitates implementation of initiatives, practice transitions, and organizational change to advance nursing excellence, promote Brown University Health's mission of "Delivering health with care" and guide actions that support Brown University Health's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

Evaluates learning needs through formal and informal assessments and provides justintime education to address emerging or immediate professional practice gaps. Collaborates with unit, entity, and system leaders to implement professional practice initiatives that align with organizational goals with a focus on the off shift. Utilizes adult learning principles and multiple modalities to engage staff and ensure effective knowledge and implementation of professional practice initiatives. Incorporates innovation and technology to enhance learning experiences.

Implements, and evaluates professional practice programs for team members. Defines, assesses, and validates initial and ongoing professional practice competencies to meet standards of care and accreditation requirements. In partnership with leaders, evaluates performance and creates action plans as necessary to drive improved performance.

Provides individualized coaching and builds capacity to support professional practice. Encourages certification, career advancement, and lifelong learning to cultivate a continuous-learning culture.

Promotes and translates evidence-based practice into professional practice programs. Supports policy development, EBP projects, and initiatives, measures impact on outcomes and fosters a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement.

Participates in quality assessments and improvement programs to evaluate effectiveness of care delivered and makes recommendations for improved individual, unit, and system performance. Collaborates on committees and system initiatives to deliver standardized education and implement new practice innovations.

Supports professional governance with a focus on unit-based councils, night shift councils, and rounding across the system. Supports the nurse residency program.

Serves as a change agent by anticipating barriers and implementing strategies that enhance adoption and sustainment of new practices, technologies, and workflows. Partners with leadership to align education with organizational priorities.

Strengthens interprofessional relationships and collaborates with units, facility, and system teams to implement professional practice initiatives. Aligns education and professional practice strategies with organizational goals and quality initiatives.

Uses metrics and feedback to prioritize needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement. Tracks and reports outcomes to support accreditation readiness and leadership decision-making.

Maintains accurate records of attendance, evaluations, and outcomes. Ensures professional practice activities adhere to accreditation criteria and regulatory standards.

Participates in interviews for new hires/transfers and helps select applicants. Mentors and coaches clinical teams to support retention, staff engagement, and professional growth, while implementing initiatives that improve job satisfaction and workforce stability.

Leadership oversight of student nurse interns to ensure positive employee experience that promotes professional development.

Performs other related duties as assigned to support department operations, organizational priorities, and the evolving needs of professional practice.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Education: Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) required; Master's in Nursing, preferred.

Current RN license in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; in good standing. BLS certification required; AHA instructor certification(s) preferred.

3-5 years of nursing experience required; prior experience in education, professional practice, precepting, or leadership preferred.

Certification: NPD specialty or other professional certification preferred.

Skills: Expertise in adult learning, curriculum design, and evaluation; proficiency with EBP, research utilization, and outcomes measurement; strong collaboration, communication, and change-management skills; comfort with learning technologies/LMS and data-informed decision making.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervises the student nurse internship program

Pay Range:

EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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Driving Required: