Associate Chief Nursing Officer - Ambulatory Services

University of Iowa • Iowa City, IA

1d

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 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 with organizational priorities and ambulatory growth. The role establishes a consistent vision for ambulatory nursing practice across diverse clinical settings through standardized professional practice, evidence-based care, and innovative operations that enhance quality, safety, care coordination, and patient experience. The ACNO champions professional nursing practice and leadership development while promoting 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 role 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.

Requirements

• A master's degree in nursing or a related field; if the master's degree is in a related field, a bachelor's degree in nursing is required.
• Current license to practice in Iowa.
• BLS for Healthcare Providers/CPR certification and an ANCC-recognized certification.
• Nurse Executive or Nurse Executive Advanced certification 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 deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes.
• Ability to identify and drive organizational and cultural change using new approaches to improve results and transform organizational culture, systems, or products/services.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.

Nice To Haves

• A doctorate (PhD or DNP) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Build strategic and programmatic relationships with faculty physicians, ambulatory operational leadership, healthcare staff, and community partners.
• 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.
• Collaborate with nursing leadership in support of the organization's patient care, education, and research missions.
• 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 ambulatory service-line tactics and new programs, including business planning, opportunity identification, implementation planning, and execution.
• Provide executive nursing leadership for Iowa River Landing, UI Community Clinics, and Main Center University Campus.
• Align ambulatory nursing practice with operational priorities, care delivery models, strategic growth, recruitment, budgeting, and patient access strategies in collaboration with executive and physician leaders.
• 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 supporting regional access to ambulatory care.
• Create and maintain a work environment that promotes optimal workforce engagement, teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Continuously evaluate and modify ambulatory staffing models in response to patient demand and organizational priorities.
• Promote coordinated and integrated program development across ambulatory services in partnership with physician and administrative leadership.
• Hire, develop, mentor, and evaluate nursing leaders, and build a cohesive ambulatory nursing leadership team.
• Be accountable for executing ambulatory quality and patient safety initiatives and ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• 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.
• Partner with the Chief Nurse Executive, Chief Administrative Officer, Ambulatory, and other executive leaders to develop operating and capital budgets supporting strategic initiatives.
• Analyze and manage labor, operating expenses, reimbursement trends, and resource utilization; identify efficiency opportunities and monitor financial performance.
• Maintain knowledge of regulatory, reimbursement, and healthcare delivery changes affecting ambulatory services.
• Use benchmarking and business analytics to support strategic decisions and continuous operational improvement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive