Programmatic Nurse Specialist (Behavioral Health and Work Place Violence Focused)

Description - Internal

The Programmatic Nurse Specialist is a professional registered nurse who leverages advanced clinical expertise and leadership skills to support and enhance nursing practice, patient care, and program development. This role is responsible and accountable for the delivery of high-quality care through application of the nursing process in collaboration with multidisciplinary health care teams. The specialist drives improvements in clinical outcomes, facilitates professional development, and champions evidence-based practice.

This position is based at UPMC Presbyterian and serves the Behavioral Health patient population . It is part of a large, Magnet-designated academic medical center, supported by strong interdisciplinary partnerships that enhance collaboration and effectiveness in this role.

Hours : Full-Time Monday-Friday daylight. There may be need for off shift/weekend presence when situations arise.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Communication

• Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships across teams through positive, uplifting communication and professional collaboration.
• Serve as a mentor and role model, supporting the development of new staff and preceptors.
• Demonstrate professional communication, foster the free exchange of ideas, and promote an inclusive and transformative culture.

Clinical Expertise & Consultation

• Act as a consultant/resource for patients, nurses, and interdisciplinary teams within the designated specialty.
• Guide nurses in developing and implementing patient-centered care plans with clearly defined goals.
• Lead healthcare team conferences and act as a liaison between nursing staff and physicians/specialists.

Education & Professional Development

• Provide ongoing teaching and skills development to ensure readiness for emergent situations.
• Develop and evaluate patient/family education materials and programs.
• Support educational needs assessments and contribute to internal and external professional development opportunities.
• Present regionally and nationally; mentor others in areas such as coaching and communication.

Program & Quality Improvement

• Identify opportunities for system/process improvements and lead implementation of evidence-based solutions.
• Serve as a change agent for initiatives that enhance patient care quality, satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
• Chair hospital or service-line committees and participate in hospital-wide projects and professional organizations.

Evidence-Based Practice & Research

• Promote and apply evidence-based practice to clinical and operational challenges.
• Mentor staff in EBP/research activities and facilitate knowledge dissemination through publications or presentations.
• Analyze current literature and guide integration into clinical standards and protocols.

Operational Excellence

• Monitor and evaluate patient outcomes such as length of stay, readmissions, and care throughput.
• Develop nursing care standards and collaborate with the care team to ensure adherence.
• Assist staff in prioritizing work effectively to meet department and organizational goals.

Qualifications - Internal

• MSN or Master's in related field (enrolled); if masters in related field required, BSN required
• Doctorate preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience. Minimum of 2 years of relevant clinical specialty experience.
• Leadership and project management experience preferred. Behavioral health and psych nursing experience preferred.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

Current Pennsylvania licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse license. CPR certification required. UPMC approved certification required. CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34

*Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran