Associate Chief Nursing Officer - Ambulatory Services

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa Health Care seeks an Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Ambulatory Services to oversee executive nursing leadership across the ambulatory enterprise, including IRL, UICC, MCU, and related clinics. The ACNO will drive nursing practice, patient safety, quality, and patient experience in ambulatory settings.

Reporting to the Chief Nurse Executive, the ACNO partners with physician leaders and senior operations to align staffing, budgets, and strategic initiatives with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in nursing or related field required; if master’s is in a related field, a BSN is required; a Doctorate is highly desirable.
• Current license to practice nursing in Iowa is required.
• BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification and ANCC Nurse Executive certification required within 12 months of hire; Doctorate desired.
• 7+ years of comprehensive expertise in operational execution and progressive leadership in a complex health organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive nursing leadership for ambulatory services across IRL, UICC, MCU, and related centers.
• Partner with CAO Ambulatory, physician leaders and executives to align nursing practice with operational priorities.
• Establish standardized ambulatory nursing practice, evidence-based care, and initiatives to improve quality, patient safety, and experience.
• Lead workforce development, budgeting, staffing models, and professional development for ambulatory nursing teams.
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, DIAL, Iowa Board of Nursing, and other regulatory standards.
• Drive strategic growth and program development in ambulatory services and new programs.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across departments.

Skills

Operations leadership

Strategic planning

Regulatory compliance

Change management

Communication

Financial stewardship

Team development

Patient safety

Analytics

Staff engagement

Education

Master’s degree in nursing or related field

RN license in Iowa

ANCC Nurse Executive certification

BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification

Doctorate (PhD or DNP) desirable

BSN if master’s in related field

Job description

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.

Additional Information

• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Compensation

Contact Information

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .

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