Clinical Program Director (RN): Cardio-Pulmonary Program

Care Initiatives•Waterloo, IA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

NorthCrest Specialty Care, a 94-bed long-term care skilled nursing community located in Waterloo, IA, is now hiring! This leadership position serves as the clinical expert and primary point of contact for the Cardio-Pulmonary Program, helping ensure exceptional resident outcomes, supporting staff development, strengthening referral relationships, and driving program growth. The role works closely with physicians, hospitals, residents, families, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, resident-centered care while supporting smooth transitions across the continuum of care. This role is ideal for a clinically strong nurse leader who thrives as an educator, relationship builder, and program champion while supporting an environment of clinical excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement for residents with complex cardiac and pulmonary needs.

Requirements

Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Iowa.
Clinical experience in cardiac care, pulmonary care, critical care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, medical-surgical nursing, or related healthcare setting.
Strong clinical assessment, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to educate, coach, and mentor healthcare professionals.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, hospitals, residents, families, referral sources, and interdisciplinary care teams.
Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
Commitment to delivering resident-centered care and exceptional clinical outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher degree.
Experience in cardiac, pulmonary, critical care, telemetry, hospital, transitional care, or post-acute care environments.
Skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation experience.
Experience developing clinical education, training, or competency programs.
Experience with QAPI and performance improvement initiatives.
Familiarity with hospital referral processes and transition-of-care coordination.
Specialty certification or advanced education related to cardiac, pulmonary, critical care, or post-acute care nursing.

Responsibilities

Serve as the clinical leader and subject matter expert for the Cardio-Pulmonary Program.
Support nursing staff in identifying and responding to changes in residents' cardiac and respiratory status.
Participate in clinical rounds and resident reviews to optimize care plans and outcomes.
Collaborate with physicians, specialists, and interdisciplinary team members to ensure evidence-based care.
Monitor program outcomes and provide recommendations to improve resident care and clinical performance.
Develop and deliver cardio-pulmonary education programs for nursing and interdisciplinary staff.
Lead onboarding and specialty orientation for team members assigned to the program.
Conduct competency validation, skills assessments, and ongoing education initiatives.
Utilize coaching, mentorship, case studies, and simulation-based learning to strengthen clinical expertise.
Identify knowledge gaps and implement targeted development plans.
Educate residents and families regarding cardiac and pulmonary conditions, treatment plans, medications, oxygen therapy, and disease management.
Support care planning discussions and reinforce self-management strategies.
Prepare residents and families for successful transitions home or to other levels of care.
Support hospital-to-skilled nursing facility transitions and discharge planning activities.
Collaborate with providers, home health agencies, specialists, and community resources to promote continuity of care.
Assist with complex discharges and identify barriers that may impact safe transitions.
Promote reduction of avoidable hospitalizations and readmissions.
Serve as a clinical ambassador for the Cardio-Pulmonary Program.
Build and maintain relationships with hospitals, physicians, case managers, discharge planners, and referral partners.
Participate in admission reviews and provide clinical recommendations regarding resident appropriateness for the program.
Communicate program capabilities and outcomes to referral sources and healthcare partners.
Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives.
Analyze trends related to hospital transfers, readmissions, clinical outcomes, and resident experience.
Recommend and implement performance improvement strategies.
Support ongoing development, expansion, and promotion of the Cardio-Pulmonary Program.
Monitor and report program metrics, including outcomes, referrals, competency completion, and census growth.
Occasional travel may be required to provide consultation, education, and support to other Care Initiatives locations and referral partners as the program expands.