Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description:

POSITION PURPOSE

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Professional Nursing Practice: Leads the development, implementation, assessment & continuous improvement of a comprehensive professional nursing practice program across MercyOne.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Accountable for academic partnerships, affiliations, and student rotations. Serves as a liaison with academic institutions as it relates to student experience.

5. Advances standardization of educational practices across Iowa (including mandatory education/assignments, licensure/certification requirements, etc.).

6. Effectively communicates with direct care through executive leaders on the value and importance of top-of license professional practice (for nursing and beyond).

7. 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.

8. Actively communicates nursing development activities & knowledge throughout MercyOne as well as to regional & national audiences.

9. Clinical Education: Leads the development of competency and education programs that result in the achievement of clinical outcomes and regulatory readiness.

10. Promotes (and leads) evidence-based practice, and quality improvement; additionally, actively takes steps to disseminate best practice examples internally and externally (conference, publications, etc.).

11. Leads nursing and clinical teams in a complex matrixed relationship and leads through influence.

12. Develops effective colleague engagement, reward, and recognition programs.

13. Effectively communicates both quantitative and qualitative outcomes in writing, visually, and through various speaking engagements.

14. Maintains knowledge and expertise in the field of nursing education and development that includes regulatory changes, evaluation techniques, and research.

15. Participates in and conducts research as appropriate.

16. 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

17. Team Building: 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.

18. Establishes and maintains effective relations with administrators and staff throughout the organization and provide