Job Summary

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, and outcomes-focused care. This 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.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Innovation:

1. Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of care strategies that align clinical standards with quality and performance goals.
2. Translates emerging evidence and innovations into practice across diverse care settings.
3. Promotes evidence-based practice, nursing research, and performance improvement in support of nursing excellence across the system.
4. Conducts gap analysis to address barriers and utilizes process improvement strategies to facilitate change and best practices.
5. Contributes to the advancement of nursing practice at the unit/system, local, state, national, and/or international level, and is instrumental in the application and leading of the Professional Practice/Care Transformation Model across the health system.

Performance and Quality Leadership:

1. Serves as a subject matter expert in quality, safety, and key performance metrics.
2. Analyzes legislative, regulatory, and operational policies as they impact nursing practice and patient population outcomes.
3. Supports design of strategies and resources with nursing leaders, educators, providers, and operational teams to align performance goals with care delivery workflows across the system.
4. Possesses advanced knowledge and articulates the professional scope and standards of nursing practice.

Interprofessional Collaboration, Consultation, and Clinical Scholarship:

1. Mentors and coaches clinical staff's professional development from novice to expert, including support for evidence-based projects, research, and publication.
2. Provides expert consultation, education, and coaching for patients/populations with complex health care needs using a broad range of theories and evidence.
3. Leads role-based education grounded in current evidence and organizational standards.
4. Acts as a liaison between frontline teams and senior leadership, advocating and advancing a culture of safety, sense of belonging, and professional development.
5. Demonstrates leadership in cultural, ethical decision-making, and patient advocacy.

Additional Duties as Assigned.

Travel:

Less than 10% of the time may be required between clinical sites may be required.

Work Type:

On-site employee - Works in the office or at a physical workplace, interacting with colleagues face-to-face.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education

Master of Science in Nursing, ideally in a clinical specialty or leadership track.

Experience

3 years of clinical nursing experience and 2 years in a specialty or system-based performance/quality role.

Licensure

Valid, active unencumbered nursing license approved by the Georgia Licensing Board.

Certification

BLS and Certification in clinical specialty (e.g., ANCC, NAHQ, AACN).

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (required):

• Demonstrated leadership in quality improvement (QI) or performance excellence initiatives.
• Advanced competency in clinical assessment, treatment protocols, and evidence-based interventions for complex or high-acuity patient populations.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

Doctoral degree (DNP or PHD) or APRN.

Experience

1. Experience with data-driven decision-making, root cause analyses, and regulatory compliance (e.g., CMS, Joint Commission, Vizient, Leapfrog).
2. Experience translating evidence into practice through protocol development, clinical guideline creation, or best practice implementation.

Certification

ACLS and/or PALS if applicable or other specialty certification.

Physical Requirements:

(Medium Max 25lbs): up to 25 lbs., 0-33% of the work day (occasionally) Lifting 25 lbs. max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs.; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Environmental Factors:

Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure, Bio-hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.