Job Description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 10/02/2025 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants : Apply by 10/14/2025. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

**Depending on the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected candidate, this position will be hired as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (4 or 5).

Please note that this position is a part-time appointment

This posting will remain open until a successful candidate has been identified.

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical quality results. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

As an organization or systemwide recognized expert in psychiatric nursing, this expert nurse clinician applies comprehensive knowledge of professional concepts and industry practices to lead projects of large size and scope that have critical impact, such as implementation of evidence-based practice, procedures, policies, and clinical practice guidelines. Collaborates with and advises nursing leadership on topics related to quality outcomes and clinical practice related to patient population.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will serve as a medical center wide or systemwide expert psychiatric clinical practice expert, educator, researcher, and consultant for embedding evidence-based practice into care across multiple nursing units and facilities. Job functions within psychiatric and non-psychiatric units include, but are not limited to:

• Assume leadership of interdisciplinary teams in developing and implementing new evidence-based procedures, protocols, guidelines, policies, and innovative care for psychiatric patients.
• Promote nursing competency through clinical consultation and development of education programs based on needs assessments, quality metrics, and practice changes.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary consultations on complex nursing care issues specific to patient population.
• Work effectively with patients and families, including multicultural and diverse patients and families, and develop treatment plans to guide nursing care.
• Collaborates on programs, processes, and education resources for all levels of patient acuity and complexity and to ensure consistent care of psychiatric patients.
• Actively participate in efforts to monitor and improve quality metrics to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Provides mentorship for clinical staff development projects and graduate nursing student education.

• Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the state of California.

• A Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN).

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) license issued by the state of California or licensure / certification in another advanced nurse practice discipline.

• BLS/CPR certification at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six (6) months of hire date.

• Five (5) years of recent and relevant clinical experience.

• Experience and proven success in developing and delivering nursing education/professional presentations.

• Experience with performance improvement or evidence-based practice change projects on departmental or organization level.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Proficient with information systems and computer programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, virtual meetings via Teams and Zoom.

• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess highly-complex issues and develop multiple options for resolution.

• Clinical experience within the last three (3) years.
• Three (3) years Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) experience.
• Experience in an academic teaching hospital.
• Demonstrated experience with Epic electronic health record.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical
• Depending on the experience of the selected candidate, this position will be hired at a Clinical Nurse Specialist 4 or Clinical Nurse Specialist 5 level.
• Based on the 60% appointment, the pay scale for the CNS 4 (5 or more years of relevant experience) is $107,214-$121,621/annually, the pay scale for the CNS 5 (7 or more years of relevant experience) is $117,938-$130,015/annually. Placement within the applicable range will be determined based on the candidate's demonstrated experience and qualifications.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $149,700 - $297,700 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $71.70 - $142.58

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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