Associate Chief Nursing Officer - Ambulatory Services

The Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) – Ambulatory Services serves as the executive nursing leader for University of Iowa Health Care's ambulatory enterprise, providing strategic leadership for nursing practice, clinical operations, workforce development, quality, patient safety, and the patient experience across Iowa River Landing (IRL), UI Community Clinics (UICC), Main Center University Campus (MCU), Patient Access Center, Home Care, and other Ambulatory Services as assigned.

Reporting directly to the Chief Nurse Executive and Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory Services, the ACNO works in partnership with the Chief Administrative Officer, the Executive Medical Director, Ambulatory Services, physician leaders, and executive leadership to develop and execute strategies that improve access, operational performance, workforce engagement, financial stewardship, and high-quality, patient-centered care. As the nursing executive member of the ambulatory leadership triad, the ACNO aligns nursing practice, clinical operations, and medical leadership in support of the organization's strategic priorities and continued ambulatory growth.

The ACNO establishes a consistent vision for ambulatory nursing practice across a variety of clinical settings through standardized professional practice, evidence-based care delivery, and innovative operational strategies that enhance quality, patient safety, care coordination, and patient experience. The ACNO champions professional nursing practice and leadership development while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The ACNO ensures compliance with professional nursing standards and all applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Joint Commission (JC), Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and other regulatory agencies. The ACNO leads in accordance with the ethical principles, professional practice standards, and strategic objectives of the Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care and University of Iowa Health Care.

• Enhance strategic and programmatic relationships with faculty physicians, ambulatory operational leadership, other healthcare staff, and community partners.
• Establish and maintain a collaborative executive partnership with the Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory, to align nursing practice with operational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Acts as ambulatory nursing liaison with external agencies and constituencies.
• Establish strong relationships with ambulatory operational leaders and administrative departments to facilitate collaborative efforts that advance Department of Nursing and University of Iowa Health Care objectives.
• Confer with nursing leadership to facilitate collaborative relationships that enhance the organization's missions of patient care, education, and research.
• Exhibits guiding behaviors that reflect UI Health Care values and strategic priorities.
• Participates in Health System initiatives supporting enterprise goals.
• Promote positive service relationships with patients, families, physicians, staff, and community partners.
• Represents the Department of Nursing and Patient Care at national, state, and local levels as delegated by the Chief Nurse Executive.
• Leads/participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of key tactics within ambulatory service lines and new programs supporting business planning activities, including identifying opportunities, implementation planning, and successful execution that improves patient access, care delivery, patient safety, quality, and workforce engagement.
• Provides executive nursing leadership for Iowa River Landing (IRL), UI Community Clinics (UICC), and Main Center University Campus (MCU).
• In collaboration with the Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory, physician leaders, and executive leadership, assures alignment of ambulatory nursing practice with operational priorities, care delivery models, strategic growth initiatives, recruitment, budgeting, and patient access strategies.
• Facilitates organizational change by leading ambulatory nursing teams through an evolving healthcare environment.
• Leads programs coordinating activities with Foundation, Marketing and Communications, Information Technology, Finance, Facilities, and other stakeholders to ensure operational excellence, growth, and exceptional patient care.
• Participates in community outreach and advocacy efforts supporting access to ambulatory care throughout the region.
• Creates and maintains a work environment that ensures optimal workforce engagement.
• Facilitates a culture of teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Continuously evaluates and modifies ambulatory staffing models to meet changing patient demand and organizational priorities.
• Serves as the executive nursing leader, in partnership with physician and ambulatory administrative leadership, promoting coordinated and integrated program development across ambulatory services.
• Hires, develops, mentors, and evaluates nursing leaders.
• Develops a cohesive ambulatory nursing leadership team focused on operational, quality, patient safety, financial, and workforce excellence.
• Accountable for execution of ambulatory quality and patient safety initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, DIAL, Iowa Board of Nursing, and other regulatory requirements applicable to ambulatory care.
• Incorporates national benchmarks, evidence-based practice, technology, and innovation to improve ambulatory nursing practice.
• Supports nursing research, evidence-based practice, and professional development.
• Collaborates with operational leaders to improve patient access, throughput, care coordination, and clinic efficiency.
• Uses business analytics to improve operational effectiveness, patient outcomes, employee engagement, patient satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Standardizes ambulatory nursing practice and operational workflows across all assigned ambulatory locations.
• Evaluates, develops, and aligns goals, budgets, and business processes for ambulatory nursing services to meet the changing healthcare environment and patient needs.
• Partners with the Chief Nurse Executive, Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory, and other executive leaders to develop operating and capital budgets supporting strategic initiatives.
• Analyzes, monitors, and manages labor, operational expenses, reimbursement trends, and resource utilization while identifying opportunities for improved efficiency.
• Regularly monitors financial performance and adjusts operations to achieve organizational goals.
• Maintains knowledge of regulatory, reimbursement, and healthcare delivery changes affecting ambulatory services.
• Utilizes benchmarking and business analytics to support strategic decision-making and continuous operational improvement.

Required Qualifications

• A master’s degree in nursing or related field is required. If master’s degree is in related field, a baccalaureate degree in nursing is required. A doctorate (PhD or DNP) is highly desirable.
• Current license to practice in Iowa is required.
• Certification: BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR and an ANCC recognized certification. Nurse Executive or Nurse Executive Advanced required withing 12 months of hire.
• 7+ years of comprehensive expertise in operational execution
• Progressive leadership experience in a complex health organization or academic health care environment that demonstrates knowledge of organization, operation, and coordination of hospital activities.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into operational reality, aligning communication, accountabilities, resource capabilities, internal systems to ensure strategic priorities yield measurable and sustainable results.
• Identify and drive organizational and cultural changes using new approaches to improve results by transforming organizational culture, systems, or products/services.
• Knowledgeable of applicable laws and regulatory/accreditation standards.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.

Application Process

In order to be considered, applicants must upload the following materials (check the box for required attachment).

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. Successful candidates must self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and education verification. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. Please contact cassandra-redmond@uiowa.edu with any questions.