Join our team and help launch the first state psychiatric hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth, where innovative caregivers will make a lasting impact on behavioral health in Texas.

The Texas Behavioral Health Center is a newly completed state-funded psychiatric hospital opening in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District that is owned by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and operated by UT Southwestern Medical Center.

When fully operational, the 505,000-square-foot facility will house 292 beds – 200 for adult patients and 92 for children and adolescents. As DFW’s first state-funded behavioral health hospital, it is designed to deliver state-of-the-art, patient-centered care in a modern and healing environment. The center provides comprehensive behavioral health treatment and features private patient rooms, abundant access to natural light and nature, and thoughtfully designed spaces that promote recovery. The hospital will also provide training to all behavioral health disciplines.

As employees of UT Southwestern, team members will join a world-class academic medical center committed to patient-centered care, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing patients for successful reintegration into their families and communities. With competitive benefits and a mission-driven culture, Texas Behavioral Health Center offers an unparalleled opportunity to make a lasting impact on mental health care in North Texas.

JOB SUMMARY
Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Practitioner is an umbrella term that includes graduate prepared nurses with or without certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD). NPD practitioner competencies are outlined in the Nursing Professional Development: Scope & Standards of Practice (current edition). NPD practitioner uses and/or develops tools, theories, skills and knowledge of NPD to improve the practice of the nursing and other healthcare staff that care for University Hospital/Clinic patients. Works under supervision of Clinical Education Professional Development (CEPD) Education Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job Duties

• NPD practitioner functions in the following roles:
  • Learning facilitator: uses the educational design process to bridge the knowledge, skills, and/or practice gaps identified through needs assessment.
  • Change agent: actively works to transform processes at micro-, meso-, and macrosystem levels using project management and improvement processes.
  • Mentor: contributes to the professional development of others and supporting life-long professional development.
  • Leader: influences interprofessional practice and learning environments, the NPD specialty, the profession of nursing, and healthcare.
  • Champion for scientific inquiry: promotes the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and use of evidence to advance NPD practice, guide clinical practice, and improve patient care.
  • Advocate for NPD specialty: supports, promotes, and demonstrates nursing professional development as a nursing practice specialty.
  • Partner for practice transitions: supports the transition of nurses and other healthcare team members across learning and practice environments, roles, and professional stages.
• Uses the educational design process:
  • Assesses practice gaps
  • Identifies learning needs
  • Develops expected outcomes that reflect competence, learning, and change
  • Plans educational activities in accordance with best practice evidence
  • Implements planned educational activities facilitating positive learning and practice environments
  • Evaluates educational activities using valid, reliable and relevant methods
• NPD practitioner is responsible for orientation/onboarding, competency management, education, professional role development, research/evidence-based practice/quality improvement, and collaborative partnerships.
• Performs other duties as assigned:
  • Nurse Planner:
  • The Nurse Planner supports the delivery of Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) and is part of the UT Southwestern Medical Center Accredited Provider Unit (PU)
  • The PU is led by the Program Manager, Nursing Professional Development
  • Assess learners’ needs and plan, implement, and evaluate Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) activities in accordance with ANCC criteria.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

• Education
  Master’s Degree in a related field within 3 years of hire.

• Experience
  3 years of directly related experience, preferably in a hospital or clinic setting
  Internal candidates without a Master’s degree may be considered with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and five (5) years of directly related experience (inclusive of 2 years of UT Southwestern experience) preferably in a hospital or clinic setting.
  External candidates with a BSN may be considered with significant directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements for internal candidates.

• Licenses and Certifications
  (RN) REGISTERED NURSE – Licensure as a Registered Nurse by Texas Board of Nursing Upon Hire and
  (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT – course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC). Upon Hire and
  Certification in Nursing Professional Development within 1-1/2 Yrs

Preferred Experience

·        One (1) year Psych experience (outside residency)

·        Two (2) years Nurse Educator experience

·        Professional Development Specialist experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Self-directed and able to organize and manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.
• Work requires high level of effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Work requires interdisciplinary collaboration between nursing, physicians and allied health professionals to develop evidence-based education

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Demands
  Talking

• Working Conditions
  Office Setting

PACT STATEMENT

The following is the acronym, “PACT”, and is fundamental to all clinical positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center:

• P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: In keeping with a professional healthcare environment, all employees are expected to have the ability to perform their jobs and to appear and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner.
• C-Communications and Compassion: It is our goal that all our communications are clear, courteous, timely, and delivered with compassion, respect and appropriate confidentiality.
• T-Teamwork: In our medical environment, our patients regard every employee they encounter as a member of the Southwestern Medical Center team. Our goal is to individually work hard to contribute to our team, support our co-workers, and to achieve not only excellent patient care and service, but also a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

Salary
Salary Negotiable

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.