Regional Director of Professional Practice and Education

Trinity Health • MMCIA - MercyOne Medical Administration Central IA, IA

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Regional Director (RD) of Professional Practice Development and Clinical Education leads clinical education, professional services development, and nursing professional practice at all hospitals and clinics within MercyOne, Iowa. In partnership with the executive leadership team, the director is responsible for leading efforts for professional nursing practice, regulatory readiness, professional governance, balanced scorecard goals, and the nursing model of care. The RD is a transformational leader who partners with senior leaders to oversee complex programs and act as a liaison and subject matter expert for professional nursing practice. Equally, the RD serves as the system leader for professional development, ensuring advancement pathways for nursing and non-nursing clinical disciplines, including career progression, specialty certification, transition-to-practice programs, academic partnerships, and development of advanced degrees. The director promotes a culture of learning and supports development strategies that strengthen clinical capability and build workforce readiness for the future. The role also includes oversight of non-nursing clinical education programs to ensure alignment, consistency, and organizational impact. The RD leads as guided by the organization's mission, vision, and values and role models Trinity’s values. The director will routinely collaborate with nursing, providers, other clinical departments, regulatory/accreditation, and leaders throughout Mercy One and Trinity Health.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in nursing or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Licensed RN (or eligible) in Iowa and Illinois is required. Ability to attain licensure in both states within 6 month is required.
• 3+ years of clinical practice as an RN is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of leadership is required.
• Strong project management, data analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership of team and management of relationships with internal and external customers.
• Strong proficiency in EHR and Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and SharePoint.
• High degree of effective oral and written communication skills. Must effectively communicate, facilitate, and lead meetings and develop positive working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• An ANCC certification in an area of specialty is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, implementation, assessment & continuous improvement of a comprehensive professional nursing practice program across MercyOne.
• In partnership with the chief nursing officer(s), vice presidents, and operational directors, the RD Promotes quality, safety, experience, regulatory readiness, evidence-based practice, and professional governance.
• Integrates professional development elements into practice structures, ensuring that workforce development, clinical capability, and progression opportunities are aligned with organizational goals. In partnership with clinical leaders, lead certification, transition-to-practice programs, and advanced academic preparation.
• Accountable for academic partnerships, affiliations, and student rotations. Serves as a liaison with academic institutions as it relates to student experience.
• Advances standardization of educational practices across Iowa (including mandatory education/assignments, licensure/certification requirements, etc.).
• Effectively communicates with direct care through executive leaders on the value and importance of top-of license professional practice (for nursing and beyond).
• Collaborates with nursing and non-nursing partners (e.g., respiratory therapy, radiology, lab, rehab, RQI, allied health) to ensure that multidisciplinary education and clinical development programs are cohesive, standardized, and aligned with Trinity’s professional practice model.
• Actively communicates nursing development activities & knowledge throughout MercyOne as well as to regional & national audiences.
• Leads the development of competency and education programs that result in the achievement of clinical outcomes and regulatory readiness.
• Promotes (and leads) evidence-based practice, and quality improvement; additionally, actively takes steps to disseminate best practice examples internally and externally (conference, publications, etc.).
• Leads nursing and clinical teams in a complex matrixed relationship and leads through influence.
• Develops effective colleague engagement, reward, and recognition programs.
• Effectively communicates both quantitative and qualitative outcomes in writing, visually, and through various speaking engagements.
• Maintains knowledge and expertise in the field of nursing education and development that includes regulatory changes, evaluation techniques, and research.
• Participates in and conducts research as appropriate.
• Provides analytic and data-driven insights (QI, experience, workforce development, risk, infection prevention) to support system leadership in advancing professional practice and professional development goals.
• Fosters positive team collaboration and staff development to facilitate effective and efficient operations, employee engagement and achievement of departmental, quality, safety and customer service excellence goals.
• Establishes and maintains effective relations with administrators and staff throughout the organization and provides proactive support and active involvement in decision-making.
• Provides communication to administration, faculty, management and staff to establish understanding of the organization mission and strategic goals necessary to achieve organizational goals.
• Meets regularly with medical directors, department chairs and direct reports to facilitate communication, goal setting and decision making.
• Represents the programs, services and achievements of the hospital to the community, regulatory agencies, media and government.
• Actively engages in professional development to maintain current skills and knowledge of environment trends, clinical developments and business opportunities.
• Knows, understands, incorporates & demonstrates our Trinity Health Mission, Values, Vision, Actions & Promise in behaviors, practices & decisions.
• Maintains a Working Knowledge of applicable federal, state & local laws / regulations, Trinity Health Integrity & Compliance Program & Code of Conduct, as well as other policies & procedures & guidelines in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical & professional behavior & safe work practices.
• Implement strategic initiatives and standard workflows as directed by the Director.
• Provide leadership and guidance to working supervisors overseeing care coordination, utilization review, social services, and complex care.
• Manage daily operations, staffing, and scheduling across multiple campuses.
• Monitor performance metrics and report outcomes to leadership.
• Lead process improvement activities to enhance care coordination and patient flow.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and organizational policies.
• Serve as liaison between interdisciplinary teams, providers, and community resources.
• Support staff development through training, competency assessments, and performance reviews.

Benefits

• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

What This Job Offers

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