RN Clinical Practice Leader

UnityPoint Health; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Dental and health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Daily Pay

Job summary

UnityPoint Health in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks a Nursing Practice Leader to advance evidence-based clinical programs and standards across Acute Adult Nursing, including ICU and step-down units. You will mentor teams, translate research into practice, and partner with physicians and interprofessional colleagues to improve outcomes.

The role emphasizes governance, performance improvement, education, and curriculum development, with focus on EHR data, regulatory readiness, and cost-effective care.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with advanced degree in nursing leadership or education.
• Valid Iowa RN license.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and implementing evidence-based practice changes.
• Strong skills in data analytics, quality improvement, and project management.
• Ability to translate research into practice and mentor staff.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates superior clinical leadership and sets standards for nursing practice.
• Leads governance and quality/ performance improvement initiatives with interprofessional partners.
• Provides expert consultation for complex clinical situations and coordinates care.
• Develops education programs, precepts staff, and fosters clinical excellence.
• Tracks outcomes using EHR data and implements evidence-based changes.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Process improvement

Evidence-based practice

Data & analytics

Education

MSN / CNS focus

DNP accepted in lieu of MSN

MHA or related degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Leads the advancement of professional nursing practice and quality by developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based clinical programs, standards, and performance improvement initiatives. Collaborates with physicians, nursing, and interprofessional teams to ensure coordinated, multidisciplinary, patient-centered care. Serves as a resource and mentor, integrating best evidence into education and competency development, using systems thinking and practice evaluation to support continuous learning. Promotes shared decision making and a culture of inquiry, innovation, and excellence to improve patient outcomes and the work environment.

This role supports Acute Adult Nursing Departments, including ICU and step-down units.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Clinical Practice Leadership and Governance

• Demonstrates superior clinical competency and serves as a role model for nursing practice.
• Sets standards for nursing practice
• Develops, evaluates, and implements policies and procedures grounded in best evidence.
• Leads quality and performance improvement initiatives with interdisciplinary partners
• Utilizes EHR reports and outcome metrics to drive results.
• Identifies barriers to practice and collaborates with leaders to integrate needed improvements into team workflows and performance plans.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory and accrediting standards so assigned areas remain survey ready at all times.
• Builds collaborative relationships across departments and represents nursing practice with internal and external stakeholders.

Advanced Clinical Consultation and Care Coordination

• Insures the delivery of high-quality, patient- and family-centered nursing care across the continuum.
• Provides expert consultation for complex clinical situations
• Participates in patient care rounds and facilitates interdisciplinary coordination.
• Operationalizes the nursing philosophy of care
• Translates research and evidence into daily practice at the point of care.
• Develops and promotes practices that are clinically effective and cost effective.
• Evaluates care processes and outcomes; initiates actions based on data to improve safety, quality, and patient experience.

Professional Development, Education, and Mentorship

• Collaborates to assess clinical learning needs and plans educational programming for new and evolving models of care.
• Creates educational offerings and provides real-time coaching at the bedside to develop and sustain clinical and professional excellence.
• Strengthens precepting and mentorship programs
• Fosters mentoring relationships for new and experienced staff.
• Collaborates with nursing leaders and educators to design curricula and evaluate department programs; integrates specialty content into unit-based orientation.
• Provides guidance to nursing staff and students

Evidence-Based Practice, Research, and Dissemination

• Champions nursing research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement from concept through implementation.
• Ensures projects affirm scientific merit, protect human subjects, and align with strategic goals, key performance indicators, patient experience, and sustainability objectives.
• Monitors fidelity and outcomes of practice change to promote long term sustainability and spread.
• Mentors colleagues on EBP implementation and scholarship.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing; Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) with a focus in Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Clinical Leader, Nursing Management, or Nursing Education. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a clinical focus accepted in lieu of MSN. Master’s in Health Care Administration (MHA) or other healthcare related degrees accepted.
• 3-5 years clinical nursing experience within the relevant clinical service line, with proven understanding of nursing research and evidence-based practice.
• Valid Iowa RN license
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Team Leadership: Able to lead multidisciplinary teams and direct others.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Evidence-Based Practice Change: Significant experience in evidence-based practice change.
• Process Improvement: Proven success in process improvement.
• Technology: Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Equipment: Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.
• Adaptability: Flexibility in responding to changing needs of the organization.
• Program Development: Experience in development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical programs.
• Education: Experience teaching nursing concepts in the classroom setting or on a patient care unit.
• Data and Analytics: Experience in analyses and evaluation of EHR reports.