Ambulatory Professional Practice Specialist (RN) - Nursing Administration - Days

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

16h•$78,250 - $133,578

About The Position

The Ambulatory Professional Practice Specialist supports division, department, and service-line initiatives using the Association for Nursing Professional Development framework, including research, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, role development, education, competency management, onboarding and orientation, and regulatory standards. The role promotes professional development and clinical competency across the care continuum, supports nursing excellence and ambulatory-care best practices, and contributes to continued Magnet recognition. In collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, medical directors, and executive leadership, the specialist advances evidence-based practice, addresses systemic risks, and supports continuous improvement in healthcare delivery. The specialist serves as a clinical and educational subject matter expert for ambulatory practice and helps ensure consistent care delivery, competency assurance, regulatory compliance, medication safety, emergency readiness, and scope-of-practice integrity. The position supports staff development through structured onboarding, orientation, and ongoing professional growth, and oversees resources with a focus on quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and clinical outcomes. The role provides strategic support across multiple ambulatory clinics and geographic regions, requiring travel to off-site locations and, as needed, long-distance or air travel not exceeding 10%. Required education is a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s degree program at application and complete it within 36 months of hire, subject to the stated consideration for certain baccalaureate-to-doctoral programs. A master’s degree in nursing or a related field is preferred. Required qualifications include current RN licensure in Virginia or eligibility for Virginia licensure or a compact state, AHA BLS certification or equivalent, five years of nursing experience, and two years of current staff development or healthcare education experience. The position is listed for days, with a compensation range of $78,250 to $133,578; actual offers depend on relevant experience, credentials, and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Must be enrolled in a master’s degree program at the time of application and complete it within 36 months of hire; the posting notes special consideration for applicants enrolled in certain baccalaureate-to-doctoral programs.
Current RN licensure in Virginia, eligibility for Virginia licensure, or licensure in a compact state.
AHA BLS certification or equivalent.
Five years of nursing experience.
Two years of current staff development or healthcare education experience.
Ability to meet the role’s physical, sensory, and mental requirements, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds; mobility and postural activities; manual dexterity; and communication, reading, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn and follow infection-control policies.
Ability to travel by car to off-site locations and undertake long-distance or air travel as needed, not exceeding 10%.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in nursing or a related field; if the master’s degree is not in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in nursing is required.
Certification in nursing professional development or a specialty area.
AHA BLS Instructor certification or equivalent.
Experience in staff education and professional development, including orientation, preceptorship, and in-service education.
Academic healthcare experience.
Education or training experience.

Responsibilities

Provide expert consultation on division, department, and service-line guideline development and practice standards within organizational and clinic missions, goals, and objectives.
Conduct systematic learning needs assessments across ambulatory clinics to identify competency gaps, emerging practice trends, and regulatory readiness needs.
Develop competency-based pathways for clinical support roles aligned with national ambulatory standards and internal credentialing.
Serve as the ambulatory clinical subject matter expert for the service line and reduce practice variation while accommodating site-specific operational needs.
Translate quality and safety data, including patient experience and harm-event data, into targeted learning and process interventions; track trends and improvement opportunities.
Provide strategic oversight across multiple ambulatory clinics and geographic regions, maintaining a visible presence to engage staff, assess workflows, and support policy and regulatory compliance.
Collaborate with clinic leaders to develop and implement standing orders, clinical protocols, policies, and practice guidelines; facilitate education and integration of standards.
Partner with local leadership to develop and maintain organization-wide documentation that supports clinical excellence and practice within each team member’s licensure and scope.
Serve as a resource to shared governance councils and committees to align education and practice priorities.
Partner with clinic leaders and the Ambulatory Emergency Response Committee on emergency readiness requirements and staff competencies, including response standards, equipment, and emergency medications.
Participate in regulatory surveys and readiness activities, and support corrective action plans related to nursing practice and education.
Partner with local leadership to manage and monitor onboarding documentation and progress; maintain education records, competency attestations, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Support standardization of evidence-based patient education across sites, including accuracy, consistency, health literacy, and cultural responsiveness; educate nursing staff on teach-back techniques and documentation standards.
Collaborate on ambulatory clinical initiatives that advance the VCU Health System’s mission and long-term goals.
Contribute to enterprise-wide and interdepartmental committees to promote consistent clinical practice standards and effective communication.
Support nursing staff professional advancement through programs such as the Professional Advancement Program, specialty certifications, and academic progression.
Provide equitable, age-appropriate care in accordance with the needs of the patient population served.