Associate Chief Nursing Officer - Ambulatory Services

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

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 patient experience across Iowa River Landing (IRL), UI Community Clinics (UICC), Main Center University Campus (MCU), Patient Access Center, Home Care, and other assigned ambulatory services. Reporting directly to the Chief Nurse Executive and Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory Services, the ACNO partners with executive and physician leaders 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 with organizational priorities and ambulatory growth. The ACNO establishes a consistent vision for ambulatory nursing practice across varied clinical settings through standardized professional practice, evidence-based care delivery, and operational strategies that enhance quality, safety, care coordination, and patient experience. The role champions professional nursing practice and leadership development and fosters collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. The ACNO ensures compliance with professional nursing standards and applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Joint Commission, Iowa DIAL, Iowa Board of Nursing, CMS, and other 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. The ACNO leads ambulatory nursing operations and service-line initiatives, develops nursing leaders, oversees quality and safety initiatives, and works with administrative and clinical partners on access, staffing, budgets, business processes, and operational performance. The role uses benchmarking, business analytics, evidence-based practice, technology, and innovation to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Master’s degree in nursing or a related field; if the master’s degree is in a related field, a baccalaureate degree in nursing is required.
Current license to practice in Iowa.
BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification.
An ANCC-recognized certification; Nurse Executive or Nurse Executive Advanced certification is required within 12 months of hire.
At least 7 years of comprehensive expertise in operational execution.
Progressive leadership experience in a complex health organization or academic healthcare environment, demonstrating knowledge of the organization, operation, and coordination of hospital activities.
Ability to translate strategic priorities into operational results by aligning communication, accountability, resource capabilities, and internal systems to produce measurable and sustainable outcomes.
Ability to identify and drive organizational and cultural changes using new approaches to improve results by transforming organizational culture, systems, or products and services.
Knowledge of applicable laws and regulatory and accreditation standards.
Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
Applicants must submit a resume/CV and cover letter.
Successful candidates must self-disclose conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and education verification.
The position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Nice To Haves

A doctorate (PhD or DNP) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Enhance strategic and programmatic relationships with faculty physicians, ambulatory operational leadership, healthcare staff, and community partners.
Establish and maintain an executive partnership with the Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory, aligning nursing practice with operational priorities and strategic initiatives.
Serve as the ambulatory nursing liaison with external agencies and constituencies.
Build relationships with ambulatory operational leaders and administrative departments to advance Department of Nursing and University of Iowa Health Care objectives.
Confer with nursing leadership to foster collaboration in support of patient care, education, and research.
Exhibit guiding behaviors that reflect UI Health Care values and strategic priorities, and participate in Health System initiatives supporting enterprise goals.
Promote positive service relationships with patients, families, physicians, staff, and community partners.
Represent the Department of Nursing and Patient Care at national, state, and local levels as delegated by the Chief Nurse Executive.
Lead or participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating tactics and programs that support business planning, access, care delivery, patient safety, quality, and workforce engagement.
Provide executive nursing leadership for Iowa River Landing (IRL), UI Community Clinics (UICC), and Main Center University Campus (MCU).
Partner with the Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory, physician leaders, and executive leadership to align nursing practice with operations, care delivery models, strategic growth, recruitment, budgeting, and patient access strategies.
Lead ambulatory nursing teams through organizational change in an evolving healthcare environment.
Coordinate programs with Foundation, Marketing and Communications, Information Technology, Finance, Facilities, and other stakeholders to support operational excellence, growth, and patient care.
Participate in community outreach and advocacy efforts supporting regional access to ambulatory care.
Create and maintain a work environment that supports workforce engagement and a culture of teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Continuously evaluate and modify ambulatory staffing models to meet changing patient demand and organizational priorities.
Promote coordinated and integrated program development across ambulatory services in partnership with physician and administrative leaders.
Hire, develop, mentor, and evaluate nursing leaders, and develop a cohesive ambulatory nursing leadership team focused on operational, quality, patient safety, financial, and workforce excellence.
Be accountable for execution of ambulatory quality and patient safety initiatives.
Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, DIAL, Iowa Board of Nursing, and other regulatory requirements applicable to ambulatory care.
Use national benchmarks, evidence-based practice, technology, and innovation to improve ambulatory nursing practice.
Support nursing research, evidence-based practice, and professional development.
Collaborate with operational leaders to improve patient access, throughput, care coordination, and clinic efficiency.
Use business analytics to improve operational effectiveness, patient outcomes, employee engagement, patient satisfaction, and financial performance.
Standardize ambulatory nursing practice and operational workflows across assigned locations.
Evaluate, develop, and align goals, budgets, and business processes for ambulatory nursing services in response to changing healthcare conditions and patient needs.
Partner with the Chief Nurse Executive, Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory, and other executive leaders to develop operating and capital budgets supporting strategic initiatives.
Analyze, monitor, and manage labor, operational expenses, reimbursement trends, and resource utilization, identifying opportunities for improved efficiency.
Monitor financial performance and adjust operations to achieve organizational goals.
Maintain knowledge of regulatory, reimbursement, and healthcare delivery changes affecting ambulatory services.
Use benchmarking and business analytics to support strategic decision-making and continuous operational improvement.