Nursing Education and Practice Specialist
Company : Legacy Health
Location : Portland, OR, 97232-2003
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 9 January 2026
Overview
Relocation Assistance Available
The Legacy nursing philosophy focuses on patients and their families. Our nurses embody this philosophy in everything they do, as advocates, communicators, problem-solvers and caregivers. Their expertise is sought after and respected by our health care team. In short, they are the face of wellness at Legacy. Does this sound like an environment in which you could thrive? If so, we invite you to consider this opportunity.
Unity is founded on a mission of trauma-informed care and destigmatizing behavioral health diagnoses. Unity nurses strive to innovate and elevate behavioral health nursing through holistic treatment of our patients. Unity nurses apply their behavioral health specialty through high-level critical thinking, individualized patient care plans, early interventions, specialized assessments, and de-escalation and motivational interviewing techniques. Unity nurses maintain their physical health skills as part of our holistic treatment including attending to physical health needs such as assessment, wound care, and phlebotomy. We welcome nurses from all backgrounds to join our team who share our values of inclusion, kindness, and excellence and a heart for the behavioral health population!
Our patients are highly acute and often require varied and intensive interventions to start stabilization. Our four adult units serve voluntary and involuntary patients 18 years and older. Adult unit patient capacity ranges from 17 to 25 private and shared beds. Our inpatient care goes beyond medication management. Our care includes specialized nursing care, care management, peer support services, multiple groups throughout the day, animal therapy, and garden therapy. Nursing is an essential part of the interdisciplinary treatment team that collaborates with the patient to create a journey to recovery.
Responsibilities
The Nursing Education and Practice Specialist supports nursing and clinical specialty programs at a system level in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of clinical education and practice initiatives. Specific activities will be defined by nursing leadership. Activities include but are not limited to planning and provision of General Nursing Orientation; development, review, revision and management of patient care standards; competency assessment, education of nursing staff in all specialties and assessment of staff learning needs.
Qualifications
Education:
An academic degree in nursing is required (BSN or MSN/MN); master’s degree required, MSN/MN preferred.
Experience:
Four years relevant clinical experience at a proficient to expert level of practice required.
Knowledge/Skills:
Demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles as evidenced by the ability to facilitate learning for patients/families, nursing staff or other members of the healthcare team.
Effective teaching and communication skills.
Strong meeting facilitation and group process skills.
Ability to work effectively in teams, and independently.
Knowledge of performance excellence Lean principles; ability to apply performance excellence Lean process.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff and leadership to implement change.
Licensure
Current applicable state RN license required.
Pay Range
USD $56.62 - USD $84.36 /Hr.Our Commitment to Health and Equal Opportunity
Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.
If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.
Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
To learn more about our employee benefits click here: www.legacyhealth.org/For-Health-Professionals/careers/benefiting-you
Related Jobs
Clinical Education and Practice Specialist - Behavioral Health at Unity
Legacy Health
Top trending job titles hiring now
Frequently asked questions
A Nursing Education And Practice Specialist enhances patient outcomes by designing tailored clinical education and practice initiatives that address the unique needs of behavioral health patients, equipping nursing staff with critical thinking skills and specialized interventions vital for trauma-informed care.
Expertise comes from a master’s degree in nursing combined with at least four years of clinical experience at proficient or expert levels, plus demonstrated skills in adult learning principles, competency assessment, and application of performance excellence lean processes.
Career advancement typically involves leadership in system-level nursing education, expanding into clinical specialty program development, and contributing to policy formation—ultimately shaping nursing standards and elevating clinical practice across healthcare settings.
Legacy Health requires a current Oregon RN license, and while not mandatory, certifications in trauma-informed care or behavioral health nursing can enhance candidacy, reflecting the hospital’s focus on holistic, specialized patient treatment.
Portland’s healthcare sector shows steady demand for specialist nursing educators due to its expanding behavioral health services, but competition remains moderate; candidates with advanced degrees and behavioral health expertise often have an edge.
Legacy Health emphasizes inclusion, kindness, and excellence within a trauma-informed framework, combining behavioral health specialties with physical health skills and innovative therapies, fostering a unique environment for nursing education and practice.
Legacy Health offers relocation assistance and fosters an inclusive culture encouraging growth through collaborative leadership, performance excellence training, and opportunities to lead educational initiatives across multiple nursing specialties.
The pay range typically spans from $56.62 to $84.36 per hour, reflecting experience and expertise levels. This competitive salary aligns with the specialized skills required to support clinical education and nursing practice improvements.
Challenges include managing highly acute patient cases requiring intensive interventions, integrating specialized assessments, and facilitating staff training on de-escalation and motivational interviewing to support recovery-focused care.
At Legacy Health, specialists engage deeply with interdisciplinary teams to drive system-wide education initiatives emphasizing trauma-informed behavioral health nursing, setting it apart through its holistic, patient-centered philosophy and diverse therapeutic approaches.