Clinical Program Director (RN): Cardio-Pulmonary Program

Care Initiatives • Waterloo, IA

6d

About The Position

Care Initiatives is seeking a Clinical Program Director (RN) to lead its Cardio-Pulmonary Program within a skilled nursing center. The role serves as the program’s clinical expert and primary point of contact, supporting resident outcomes, staff development, referral relationships, and program growth. The director works with physicians, hospitals, residents, families, referral partners, and interdisciplinary teams to provide high-quality, resident-centered care and support transitions across the continuum of care.

This position provides clinical leadership for residents with complex cardiac and pulmonary needs, develops and delivers staff education, and educates residents and families about conditions, treatment, medications, oxygen therapy, and disease management. It also supports care coordination, hospital transitions, discharge planning, referral relationships, quality improvement, and continued program development. Occasional travel may be required to support other Care Initiatives locations and referral partners as the program expands.

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 a 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.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, hospitals, residents, families, referral sources, and interdisciplinary care teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Commitment to 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 recommend improvements to 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.
• Use coaching, mentorship, case studies, and simulation-based learning to strengthen clinical expertise.
• Identify knowledge gaps and implement targeted staff development plans.
• Educate residents and families about 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 transitions home or to other levels of care.
• Support hospital-to-skilled nursing facility transitions and discharge planning.
• Collaborate with providers, home health agencies, specialists, and community resources to promote continuity of care.
• Assist with complex discharges, identify barriers to safe transitions, and promote reduction of avoidable hospitalizations and readmissions.
• Serve as a clinical ambassador for the Cardio-Pulmonary Program and build 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.
• Travel occasionally to provide consultation, education, and support to other Care Initiatives locations and referral partners.

Benefits

• Competitive wage and shift differentials.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefit options.
• 401(k).
• PTO.
• Referral bonus program.
• Tuition reimbursement and company-paid training and education.
• Digital Wallet Access, allowing employees to get paid as they earn.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed