OPT Professional Learning Specialist Jobs
Professional Learning Specialist jobs on OPT typically fall under education, instructional design, or organizational development. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations, supporting a smooth STEM OPT extension if your degree is in education technology, curriculum design, or a related field. Employers in K-12, higher education, and corporate training sectors regularly hire OPT-authorized candidates.
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Facility: South Lake Hospital
Location: Clermont, FL
Status: Full-Time
Department: SOLK CLINICAL LEARNING
Schedule: First
Title: Professional Development Practitioner (NICU)
“Orlando Health Is Your Best Place to Work” is not just something we say, it’s our promise to you.
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital is a comprehensive medical and surgical acute care facility serving the residents of Lake County as a trusted member of the community for over 75 years. Conveniently located in Clermont, the hospital’s dedicated team of physicians, nurses, clinicians and medical professionals is committed to delivering expert and compassionate care. Our efforts have earned us recognition as a national leader.
ORLANDO HEALTH - BENEFITS & PERKS:
Competitive Pay
Evening, nights, and weekend shift differentials offered for qualifying positions.
All Inclusive Benefits (start day one)
Student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, FREE college education programs, retirement savings, paid paternity leave, fertility benefits, back up elder and childcare, pet insurance, PTO/Holidays, and more for full time and part time employees.
Employee-centric
South Lake Hospital has been selected as one of the “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare.
A Professional Development Practitioner functions as a learning facilitator, change agent, mentor, leader, champion for inquiry, advocate, and partner for practice transitions. Coordinates the planning, development, design, implementation, and evaluation of outcomes of staff education. Enhances professional practice, supports career growth, and promotes lifelong learning. Verifies team members are clinically competent to function independently in their roles. Supports the mission, vision, values, strategies, and goals of Orlando Health.
Qualifications
Education/Training:
Graduate from an approved school of nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Licensure/Certification:
Current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Florida required.
National specialty certification in area of practice must be obtained within two (2) years of hire, except in cases where there is no certification available.
Basic life support, advanced life support, pediatric advanced life support, neonatal resuscitation program certification as required by department or unit.
Experience:
Three (3) years of related NICU Registered Nurse experience required.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions
- Conducts ongoing needs assessments and formulates educational plans based on the data collected.
- Develops and coordinates the orientation process for assigned areas. Consistently meets with orientees, preceptors and members of the leadership team, and utilizes an Education Action Plan, as necessary.
- Actively participates in quality and safety initiatives.
- Implements educational programs to enhance the competence and skills of nursing staff, utilizing innovative teaching methodologies and technologies to engage learners effectively.
- Develops evidence-based and culturally competent educational curricula in accordance with the Association of Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) standards, addressing the learning needs of team members across various levels of expertise and specialties.
- Uses the ANPD Practice Model to create and evaluate department specific education.
- Conducts ongoing assessment and verification of team member proficiency by observing practice at the point of care.
- Collaborates with department leadership to review orientee progress and provide feedback on skills.
- Evaluates competency verification methods; analyzes data and reports findings to key stakeholders.
- Collaborates on initiatives that influence department specific and/or organizational outcomes with site education manager or education designee approval.
- Collaborates with Clinical Learning to enhance clinical skills and professional development of team members.
- Promotes and encourages team member participation in professional (i.e., AORN, AWHONN, etc.), departmental, and organizational initiatives.
- Provides education to maintain ongoing knowledge and compliance of organizational, regulatory policies and procedures.
- Utilizes evidence-based, quality clinical practice consistent with research, organizational and national practice standards.
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning by seeking out and integrating new knowledge and skills from diverse fields.
- Navigates and adapts to the dynamic nature of interdisciplinary projects, adjusting strategies and approaches as needed.
- Collaborates with healthcare professionals and educators from various disciplines to promote interdisciplinary learning and enhance the integration of knowledge within the broader healthcare context.
- Embraces change and uncertainty with a proactive and flexible mindset.
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Collaborates with Clinical Learning to assist with corporate-led courses as requested.
- Serves as a preceptor for the Learning Specialists.
- Maintains visibility in the department, supporting day, night, and weekend shift team members.
- Functions as a resource for the comprehensive health records (CHR) system.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of educational programs, assessments, and evaluations, ensuring compliance with ANPD documentation standards, as well as other regulatory and accreditation requirements.
- Generate reports to demonstrate the impact of educational interventions on practice and support continuous improvement efforts.
- Collaborates with student services to assist with student placement.
- Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards.
- Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.
Other Related Functions
- Demonstrates knowledge of legal issues, patient rights and compliance with the standards of regulatory and accrediting agencies.
- Undertakes additional responsibilities as directed by educational leadership.
Position Summary:
Facility: South Lake Hospital
Location: Clermont, FL
Status: Full-Time
Department: SOLK CLINICAL LEARNING
Schedule: First
Title: Professional Development Practitioner (NICU)
“Orlando Health Is Your Best Place to Work” is not just something we say, it’s our promise to you.
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital is a comprehensive medical and surgical acute care facility serving the residents of Lake County as a trusted member of the community for over 75 years. Conveniently located in Clermont, the hospital’s dedicated team of physicians, nurses, clinicians and medical professionals is committed to delivering expert and compassionate care. Our efforts have earned us recognition as a national leader.
ORLANDO HEALTH - BENEFITS & PERKS:
Competitive Pay
Evening, nights, and weekend shift differentials offered for qualifying positions.
All Inclusive Benefits (start day one)
Student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, FREE college education programs, retirement savings, paid paternity leave, fertility benefits, back up elder and childcare, pet insurance, PTO/Holidays, and more for full time and part time employees.
Employee-centric
South Lake Hospital has been selected as one of the “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare.
A Professional Development Practitioner functions as a learning facilitator, change agent, mentor, leader, champion for inquiry, advocate, and partner for practice transitions. Coordinates the planning, development, design, implementation, and evaluation of outcomes of staff education. Enhances professional practice, supports career growth, and promotes lifelong learning. Verifies team members are clinically competent to function independently in their roles. Supports the mission, vision, values, strategies, and goals of Orlando Health.
Qualifications
Education/Training:
Graduate from an approved school of nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Licensure/Certification:
Current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Florida required.
National specialty certification in area of practice must be obtained within two (2) years of hire, except in cases where there is no certification available.
Basic life support, advanced life support, pediatric advanced life support, neonatal resuscitation program certification as required by department or unit.
Experience:
Three (3) years of related NICU Registered Nurse experience required.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions
- Conducts ongoing needs assessments and formulates educational plans based on the data collected.
- Develops and coordinates the orientation process for assigned areas. Consistently meets with orientees, preceptors and members of the leadership team, and utilizes an Education Action Plan, as necessary.
- Actively participates in quality and safety initiatives.
- Implements educational programs to enhance the competence and skills of nursing staff, utilizing innovative teaching methodologies and technologies to engage learners effectively.
- Develops evidence-based and culturally competent educational curricula in accordance with the Association of Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) standards, addressing the learning needs of team members across various levels of expertise and specialties.
- Uses the ANPD Practice Model to create and evaluate department specific education.
- Conducts ongoing assessment and verification of team member proficiency by observing practice at the point of care.
- Collaborates with department leadership to review orientee progress and provide feedback on skills.
- Evaluates competency verification methods; analyzes data and reports findings to key stakeholders.
- Collaborates on initiatives that influence department specific and/or organizational outcomes with site education manager or education designee approval.
- Collaborates with Clinical Learning to enhance clinical skills and professional development of team members.
- Promotes and encourages team member participation in professional (i.e., AORN, AWHONN, etc.), departmental, and organizational initiatives.
- Provides education to maintain ongoing knowledge and compliance of organizational, regulatory policies and procedures.
- Utilizes evidence-based, quality clinical practice consistent with research, organizational and national practice standards.
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning by seeking out and integrating new knowledge and skills from diverse fields.
- Navigates and adapts to the dynamic nature of interdisciplinary projects, adjusting strategies and approaches as needed.
- Collaborates with healthcare professionals and educators from various disciplines to promote interdisciplinary learning and enhance the integration of knowledge within the broader healthcare context.
- Embraces change and uncertainty with a proactive and flexible mindset.
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Collaborates with Clinical Learning to assist with corporate-led courses as requested.
- Serves as a preceptor for the Learning Specialists.
- Maintains visibility in the department, supporting day, night, and weekend shift team members.
- Functions as a resource for the comprehensive health records (CHR) system.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of educational programs, assessments, and evaluations, ensuring compliance with ANPD documentation standards, as well as other regulatory and accreditation requirements.
- Generate reports to demonstrate the impact of educational interventions on practice and support continuous improvement efforts.
- Collaborates with student services to assist with student placement.
- Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards.
- Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.
Other Related Functions
- Demonstrates knowledge of legal issues, patient rights and compliance with the standards of regulatory and accrediting agencies.
- Undertakes additional responsibilities as directed by educational leadership.
See all 62+ OPT Professional Learning Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Professional Learning Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Professional Learning Specialist
Clarify your OPT authorization upfront
When applying, state your OPT status and authorization end date clearly. Many hiring managers confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. A brief note explaining you're already work-authorized removes that friction before the first interview.
Target employers with established CPD programs
Organizations with dedicated professional development departments, such as large school districts, universities, and mid-to-large enterprises, are more accustomed to OPT candidates and more likely to initiate H-1B sponsorship after your OPT period ends.
Emphasize instructional design credentials
Certifications in instructional design, curriculum frameworks, or learning management systems strengthen your specialty occupation case. USCIS looks for field-specific qualifications, so credentials like ATD or Google for Education carry real weight here.
Align your degree field to the role description
A Professional Learning Specialist role is more defensible as a specialty occupation when your degree is in education, instructional technology, or organizational learning. Highlight that direct alignment in your resume and cover letter every time.
Pursue STEM OPT if your degree qualifies
If your degree in education technology, learning science, or a related STEM-designated field qualifies, the 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you significantly more runway to secure long-term sponsorship, so verify your CIP code with your DSO early.
Build relationships in professional learning communities
Networking within professional development associations and edtech communities connects you with hiring managers at sponsorship-friendly organizations. Peer relationships in these networks often surface unadvertised openings before they reach general job postings.
Professional Learning Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Professional Learning Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT purposes?
In most cases, yes. The role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in education, instructional design, curriculum development, or a related field, which satisfies the specialty occupation definition. Roles that list a general degree as sufficient can weaken the case, so review the job description carefully before applying.
Can I work as a Professional Learning Specialist on STEM OPT?
You can if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as educational technology, learning science, or instructional systems design. Not all education degrees carry a STEM CIP code, so confirm your specific program's classification with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility for the 24-month extension.
Which types of employers hire Professional Learning Specialists on OPT?
K-12 school districts, community colleges, universities, edtech companies, healthcare systems, and large corporate training departments all hire for this role. Organizations with structured professional development functions tend to be more familiar with OPT work authorization. Browse Migrate Mate to filter for employers actively open to OPT candidates in this field.
How should I explain my OPT status to employers hiring for this role?
Be direct and brief. State that you hold F-1 OPT authorization, include your authorization end date, and note whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Framing it as existing work authorization rather than a sponsorship request removes the most common employer hesitation and keeps the focus on your instructional qualifications.
Will a Professional Learning Specialist employer typically sponsor H-1B after OPT ends?
Sponsorship varies by employer size and HR capacity. Larger school districts, universities, and enterprise edtech companies are more likely to sponsor than small nonprofits or startups. The strongest leverage is demonstrating that your role genuinely requires a specialized degree, which makes the H-1B petition more straightforward for the employer to file.