Description - External
University of Iowa Health Care—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.
Position Summary
Associate Director of Children’s and Women’s Services for Quality, Safety, and Evidence-Based Practice (Nursing and Patient Care Services) will collaboratively lead nursing and interdisciplinary quality improvement, patient safety and nursing practice development initiatives across CWS, while integrating with the Quality Improvement structure of UI Health Care and Department of Nursing.
The Associate Director will provide direct leadership, supervision and coordination of pediatric and OB nursing quality and safety activities; partner with the Office of the Patient Experience and Director for Patient and Family Centered Services to support efforts to positively impact patient and family satisfaction; provide leadership and support to CWS Nurse Managers, Assistant Nurse Managers, Nursing Practice Leaders and Clinical Practice Leaders in Quality/Safety and Evidence Based Practice (EBP) as well as implementation of improved nursing and interdisciplinary functions. The Associate Director will provide leadership and supervision for the Pediatric Skin/Wound/Ostomy nurse(s); Pediatric Vascular Access Nursing Practice Leader; and serve as a departmental and divisional liaison to the Quality Improvement Program.
The Associate Director will serve as program director for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) collaborative and work with interdisciplinary team to facilitate the conduct of evidence-based practice and research.
The Associate Director will collaborate with the Office of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice in achieving the pillars of the Department of Nursing strategic plan.
The Associate Director will design and support staff development and educational programs related to quality and safety and evidence-based practice; facilitate collaboration between UIHC and the University Health Science Colleges, promoting learning experiences and mentoring students and faculty in quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
Key Areas of Responsibilities and Specific Job Tasks
- Human Resources Management: Benchmark, develop, recommend, review, and monitor staffing models. Hire, develop and manage the performance of unit, nurses, and nurse managers. May have final authority for HR transactions.
- Financial and Data Management and Analysis: Develop budget or direct budget development for area and create systems for effective implementation and monitoring. Assure nurse managers are maintaining unit operating budgets. Must fully understand financial implications of collective bargaining agreements.
- Operations, Standards of Care, Regulatory Compliance, Quality and Patient Satisfaction: Provide coordination and administration across nursing units or clinics to improve operations, assure regulatory compliance and achieve patient/customer satisfaction/quality goals. Review nursing activities and make recommendations for changes in processes to support improved clinical quality, and service and value.
- Patient Care/Services Delivery: Research, develop and implement best practices to improve nursing care delivery across units. Work with other areas and units on implementation. Collaborate with nurse managers and directors from multiple disciplines regarding care and/or service quality/delivery.
- Planning and Goal Management: Analyze operational and business processes as appropriate to support improved nursing services for quality patient care that is of high value. Assist in developing strategic plan, implementation plans with nurse managers and monitor progress.
- Communication/Collaboration: Coordinate communication and support collaboration among nurse managers, directors and Chief Nursing Officer. Engage and collaborate with all nursing areas to identify opportunities for improvement, program development and capital budgeting. Communicate with external agencies and constituencies to address issues and answer questions.
- Education Programs: Develop nursing education programming to develop competency of staff. Design clinical education and coaching plans to develop staff competency and professionalism.
- Research Administration: Develop and coordinate evidence-based practice research initiatives and work with nurse managers to incorporate best practices into unit operations.
Percent of Time: 100% - 40 hours per week
Schedule: Monday-Friday, administrative call
Location: Iowa City, IA
Benefits Highlights:
- Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa.
- Fringe benefits package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life, and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
- For more information about Why Iowa?, click here.
Qualifications - External
Education Required:
- Master’s degree (in nursing, MBA or healthcare related) required. If Master's/Doctorate Degree is in related field other than nursing specialty, a Baccalaureate of Science or Arts Degree in Nursing is required.
Required Qualifications:
- Current, valid license to practice nursing in Iowa.
- Certification in nursing administration or applicable clinical area from nationally recognized professional certification body is required.
- 5+ years of experience in an administrative position in a large, complex health care organization with demonstrated ability to work with multiple disciplines to ensure effective health care operations.
- Expertise in Quality Improvement/Safety and EBP. Assures patient safety, quality of care and compliance with the Joint Commission and state and federal agencies.
- Effective in developing/leading nursing and interprofessional teams for quality improvement, patient safety, and nursing practice.
- Experience implementing strategic initiatives; working in highly effective collaborative partnerships; developing and implementing new systems and policies/procedures.
- Demonstrated expertise in project management skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must be proficient in computer and software applications.
- Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
Desired Qualifications:
- Doctorate degree (PhD or DNP).
- Clinical and leadership experience in major children’s hospital.
- Academic training in research and EBP.
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.
- Additional education/training in quality improvement.
- Experience working in a union environment.
- Member of national and state professional nursing organization.
Position and Application details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. Please contact megan-garton@uiowa.edu
