Neonatal Professional Develoment Spcialist (RN

Company Description Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital (formerly East Tennessee Children’s Hospital) is a free-standing, independent, not-for-profit pediatric healthcare system serving East Tennessee and surrounding regions since 1937. The hospital is dedicated to caring for every child and every need, providing world-class pediatric care rooted in the local community. As a state-certified Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center (CRPC), the hospital holds the highest level of pediatric certification available in Tennessee.

This designation ensures the organization is equipped to manage the most complex pediatric medical cases and supports advanced specialty services for infants, children, and adolescents.

Role Description The Neonatal Professional Development Specialist (RN) is a full-time, on-site role based in Knoxville, TN. This position is responsible for assessing learning needs and planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs for neonatal nurses and interdisciplinary team members. Daily tasks include developing evidence-based orientation and ongoing competency programs, coordinating training on new clinical protocols, technologies, and equipment, and facilitating simulation and skills labs to strengthen neonatal clinical practice.

The specialist collaborates with nursing leadership, physicians, and allied health professionals to support professional growth, quality improvement initiatives, and adherence to regulatory and accreditation standards. The role also involves mentoring staff, supporting performance improvement projects, and promoting a culture of safety, collaboration, and family-centered care within the neonatal units.

Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license, with eligibility to practice in Tennessee; BSN required, MSN or related graduate degree preferred.
• Demonstrated clinical expertise in neonatal nursing, including experience in NICU or other high-acuity neonatal settings and familiarity with evidence-based neonatal care practices.
• Skills in education and training, including curriculum development, clinical instruction, preceptor support, and use of simulation and adult learning principles.
• Strengths in communication, collaboration, and leadership, including the ability to coach peers, facilitate interdisciplinary learning, and build constructive relationships across teams.
• Experience with quality improvement, data-driven evaluation, and regulatory and accreditation standards relevant to neonatal and pediatric care.
• Organizational and project management abilities, including planning, prioritizing, and documenting educational initiatives and competency programs.
• Comfort with basic technology used in education (e.g., learning management systems, presentation tools) and clinical environments (e.g., EHR systems).
• Professional certifications such as NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) and relevant neonatal nursing specialty certification (e.g., RNC-NIC) strongly preferred.