Cardiac Lung Transplant Surgical Clinical Nurse Practice Specialist / RN

Emory Healthcare•Atlanta, GA

13h•$58 - $67•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Nurse Practice Specialist (CNPS) is an operating unit, service-line, and system clinical leader who integrates advanced nursing expertise with performance improvement to drive safe, evidence-based, outcomes-focused care. The role combines clinical expertise with performance and educational leadership to promote high-quality nursing practice, lead care transformation initiatives, and foster real-time accountability across the healthcare continuum. The specialist leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of care strategies aligned with clinical standards and quality and performance goals; translates emerging evidence and innovations into practice across diverse care settings; and promotes evidence-based practice, nursing research, and performance improvement. The role also conducts gap analyses, applies process-improvement strategies, and contributes to advancing nursing practice and applying the Professional Practice/Care Transformation Model across the health system. As a quality and performance leader, the CNPS serves as a subject matter expert in quality, safety, and performance metrics; analyzes the effect of legislative, regulatory, and operational policies on nursing practice and patient outcomes; and works with nursing leaders, educators, providers, and operational teams to align performance goals with care workflows. The specialist mentors and coaches clinical staff, provides expert consultation and education for patients and populations with complex healthcare needs, leads role-based education, and serves as a liaison between frontline teams and senior leadership. The role also advances safety, belonging, professional development, cultural and ethical decision-making, and patient advocacy. Additional duties may be assigned. Travel between clinical sites may be required less than 10% of the time. This is an on-site position.

Requirements

Master of Science in Nursing, ideally in a clinical specialty or leadership track.
Three years of clinical nursing experience and two years in a specialty or system-based performance/quality role.
Valid, active, unencumbered nursing license approved by the Georgia Licensing Board.
BLS certification.
Certification in a clinical specialty, such as ANCC, NAHQ, or AACN.
Demonstrated leadership in quality improvement or performance excellence initiatives.
Advanced competency in clinical assessment, treatment protocols, and evidence-based interventions for complex or high-acuity patient populations.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree (DNP or PhD) or APRN.
Experience with data-driven decision-making, root cause analyses, and regulatory compliance, such as CMS, Joint Commission, Vizient, or Leapfrog.
Experience translating evidence into practice through protocol development, clinical guideline creation, or best-practice implementation.
ACLS and/or PALS certification, if applicable, or other specialty certification.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of care strategies aligned with clinical standards and quality and performance goals.
Translate emerging evidence and innovations into practice across diverse care settings.
Promote evidence-based practice, nursing research, and performance improvement in support of nursing excellence.
Conduct gap analyses and use process-improvement strategies to address barriers and facilitate change and best practices.
Contribute to nursing practice advancement and apply the Professional Practice/Care Transformation Model across the health system.
Serve as a subject matter expert in quality, safety, and key performance metrics.
Analyze legislative, regulatory, and operational policies for their effects on nursing practice and patient population outcomes.
Work with nursing leaders, educators, providers, and operational teams to design strategies and resources that align performance goals with care delivery workflows.
Articulate the professional scope and standards of nursing practice.
Mentor and coach clinical staff in professional development, including evidence-based projects, research, and publication.
Provide expert consultation, education, and coaching for patients and populations with complex healthcare needs.
Lead role-based education grounded in current evidence and organizational standards.
Liaise between frontline teams and senior leadership, advocating for safety, belonging, and professional development.
Demonstrate leadership in cultural and ethical decision-making and patient advocacy.
Perform additional duties as assigned.