Program Director, Nursing Excellence
About The Position
Join OHSU Health as we build the next chapter of nursing excellence. This newly created Program Director role will lead the development of a comprehensive system for nursing research, evidence-based practice, innovation, recognition, and professional governance. This is a rare opportunity to create infrastructure from the ground up, influence organizational strategy, and shape how nurses contribute to clinical excellence, scientific discovery, and healthcare innovation across an academic health system. The Program Director, Center for Nursing Excellence & Innovation (CNEI) is a Registered Nurse (RN) responsible for advancing nursing excellence and innovation across OHSU Health. This role provides strategic, operational, financial, and human resource leadership for programs and initiatives that strengthen nursing practice, professional development, quality outcomes, and workforce capability across the health system. Working in alignment with OHSU’s Mission, Vision, and Professional Practice Model, the Program Director collaborates with system nursing leadership, interprofessional partners, and professional governance structures to create and sustain a culture of safety, quality, engagement, inquiry, and professional growth. The Program Director oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives that support evidence-based practice, nursing professional governance, nursing professional development, nursing quality, workforce development, and nursing excellence operations.
Requirements
- Seven (7) years of relevant clinical experience
- Five (5) years of progressive nursing leadership experience (NPD Practitioner, Nursing Practice Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Magnet Program Director, Nurse Scientist, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager, or Nurse Director)
- Demonstrated ability to lead in a large, matrixed health system.
- Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing or Associate Degree in Nursing from a program accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
- Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Oregon Nurse Practice Act.
- Current unencumbered Oregon RN license.
- Professional certification in nursing
- American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice, and the ANA Code of Ethics.
Nice To Haves
- Doctoral Degree in Nursing – DNP
Responsibilities
- Leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that advance nursing excellence, innovation, and professional development across OHSU Health.
- Aligns initiatives with system goals, the Professional Practice Model, Magnet standards, and organizational strategic priorities.
- Develops workplans, performance indicators, and outcome metrics to monitor program effectiveness.
- Provides operational oversight for assigned CNEI portfolios (ex: professional governance, competency infrastructure, nursing quality, education programs, research, or workforce development).
- Applies systems thinking to integrate initiatives across entities and service lines, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and sustainability.
- Develops, manages, and monitors program budgets, grants, and contracts.
- Ensures responsible use of resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Prepares business cases and cost analyses to support program expansion, technology integration, and strategic investments.
- Supervises and mentors' staff, fostering engagement, professional growth, and accountability.
- Recruits, orients, and evaluates team members; supports role clarity for Nursing Professional Development Practitioners, Nursing Practice Specialists, and other CNEI staff.
- Builds leadership capacity through coaching, feedback, and professional development planning.
- Collaborates with nursing, quality, and regulatory leaders to ensure compliance with accreditation and licensure standards (DNV, Magnet, ANCC).
- Leads or supports initiatives to improve nursing-sensitive indicators, preventable harm, and professional practice outcomes.
- Uses data analytics and evidence-based methods to evaluate and sustain improvements.
- Advances a culture of professional growth and lifelong learning through innovative educational models, competency systems, and recognition programs.
- Ensures structures are in place to validate nursing competence, support clinical inquiry, and disseminate best practices.
- Partners with executive nursing, interprofessional, and academic leaders to strengthen professional governance and system integration.
- Represents CNEI on organizational committees, councils, and task forces.
- Facilitates communication strategies that promote transparency, recognition, and the translation of strategy into practice.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care plans that cover 100% for a full-time employee and 88% for dependents for .75 FTE and higher.
- $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
- Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
- Paid time off- 208 hours per year (full-time), prorated for part-time
- Extended illness bank- 64 hours per year, prorated for part-time
- 9 paid holidays per year
- Three weeks of paid parental leave
- Adoption assistance program (up to 5k)
- Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
Associate degree
