AI Innovation Specialist

Care Initiatives; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited vacation

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Digital wallet access

Job summary

Care Initiatives is seeking an AI Innovation Specialist in West Des Moines, IA to identify, pilot, document, and support responsible AI adoption across the organization. The role partners with IT, Compliance, Legal, HR, and operations to ensure secure, compliant AI-enabled workflows.

The candidate will evaluate AI and automation opportunities, translate them into pilots, develop training materials, and monitor outcomes to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive IT/analytics experience in regulated environments preferred.
• 1+ years hands-on exposure to AI, generative AI, automation, analytics, or similar platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess practical AI, generative AI, and automation use cases across the organization.
• Translate approved use cases into defined pilots and scalable solutions.
• Evaluate feasibility, value, and risk of AI-enabled tools.
• Support implementation with governance, controls, and documentation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure privacy, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare user guidance and training materials to support adoption.
• Monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement of AI-enabled workflows.

Skills

AI concepts

Governance

HIPAA compliance

Analytical skills

Communication

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, data science, software development, analytics, healthcare informatics, cybersecurity, business technology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365 Copilot

Copilot Chat

Azure AD

Purview

Microsoft operating systems

Job description

Care Initiatives is now hiring an AI Innovation Specialist to join our team. As the largest single operator of quality nursing homes in Iowa, Care Initiatives has over forty (40) skilled nursing communities, eight (8) hospice offices (and growing!), plus our own internal staffing agency. We are committed to providing exceptional care and support at every stage of the healthcare journey. The AI Innovation Specialist is responsible for identifying, evaluating, piloting, documenting, and supporting the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, automation, and AI-enabled productivity tools across Care Initiatives. This role serves as a hands-on technical, analytical, and governance-focused resource that translates approved AI capabilities into practical, secure, compliant, and measurable solutions that enhance administrative, financial, operational, and clinical-support workflows. The position does not replace licensed clinical judgment and does not independently approve AI tools for use with protected health information (PHI), resident care decisions, or other regulated workflows. The AI Innovation Specialist Partners Closely With The AI Taskforce, Information Technology, Information Security, Compliance, Legal, Privacy, Human Resources, And Operational Leaders To

• Maintain an AI use-case inventory
• Evaluate risk, value, and readiness
• Support and document AI pilots
• Develop staff training and guidance
• Ensure AI adoption aligns with organizational policies, HIPAA requirements, data-protection standards, vendor-management expectations, and applicable healthcare regulations

What You’ll Do & Key Responsibilities

• Identify and assess practical AI, generative AI, and automation use cases across the organization
• Translate approved use cases into clearly defined pilots and scalable solutions
• Evaluate feasibility, value, and risk of AI-enabled tools
• Support implementation while ensuring appropriate governance, controls, and documentation
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure compliance with privacy, security, and regulatory requirements
• Prepare user guidance, training materials, and documentation to support adoption
• Monitor outcomes and support continuous improvement of AI-enabled workflows

Minimum Skill & Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, data science, software development, analytics, healthcare informatics, cybersecurity, business technology, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• Three to five years of progressive experience in information technology, analytics, automation, business systems, cybersecurity, data governance, healthcare informatics, or a related field
• One or more years of hands-on exposure to AI, generative AI, automation, analytics, or similar business technology platforms preferred
• Experience working in regulated environments (healthcare preferred)
• Experience evaluating, piloting, or deploying AI or automation tools in a business setting

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of artificial intelligence and generative AI concepts, including large language models, prompt design, and AI agents/assistants
• Familiarity with Microsoft-centric environments and AI tooling, including:
• Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat
• Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) and Microsoft Purview
• Microsoft operating systems and software platforms
• Understanding of AI governance, responsible-use frameworks, and data-protection principles (e.g., NIST AI Risk Management Framework, OWASP Top 10 for LLMs)
• Awareness of healthcare privacy, security, and compliance requirements, including HIPAA, PHI handling, minimum necessary use, Business Associate Agreement considerations, auditability, retention, and data loss prevention
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess feasibility, risk, and value
• Ability to work independently while organizing, prioritizing, and completing work
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly and tailor messaging to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Functional literacy in written and spoken English
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees
• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagram-based instructions

Why Choose Care Initiatives? Here are just a few reasons:

• Work Life Balance: Enjoy Unlimited vacation time
• Comprehensive Benefits: Eligible employees enjoy robust benefit options including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and more
• Tuition Reimbursement: Develop your skills with company paid training and education to take your career to the next level
• Digital Wallet Access: Get paid as you earn—no more waiting for payday!

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Care Initiatives will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

Care Initiatives is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. Care Initiatives complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.