The ACNO is responsible for assessing the environment, forecasting trends, transmitting values, communicating ideas,developing,and implementing policies,managing, andinitiating innovative systems and programs that promote excellence in service, quality, and safety for patient care delivery and that create an excellent place to work. Thispositionprovidesnursingpersonnelwith leadership, decision-making, and direction in patient care services and defined areas, ensuring nurses and other members of the patient care team feel empowered to serve as patient representatives/advocates.

The ACNO will work in close partnership with executives from the health system, hospital campuses, physician leaders and groups, and staff to develop comprehensive access tocare including evaluation, planning andimplementationof both inpatientandoutpatient innovativecaremodelswhichenhancethedeliveryofpatientcarequality and efficiency.

Along with the health system and hospital executive committees will establish key collaboration partnerships with physicians and administrative colleagues, community providers, and interest groups influencing and developing both internal and external constituencies to promote and coordinate adult service lines throughout the community and neighboring market areas.

The ACNO aligns the priorities of the patient care unit leadership dyads and collaboration with the medical or clinical directors to assure the operational and clinical standards promote a center of quality care and work environment excellence.

The ACNO will lead adhering to the ethical principles, practice standards, and strategic objectives of the Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care and University of Iowa Health Care.They will effectively interpret, implement, and ensure that all sites of care maintain compliance with Joint Commission (JC), Iowa Department of Inspection, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), and Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) standards within the Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care.

Keys Areas of Responsibility

Collaboration/Communication

Serve as liaison between nursing, patient care team, medical staff, and healthcare leadership. Engage and collaborate with interdisciplinary health care team members to identify opportunities for improvement, program development and capital budgeting. Communicate with external agencies and constituencies to address issues and answer questions. Serve as liaison among multiple clinical functions to support collaboration in identifying opportunities for improvement and program development.

Enhance strategic and programmatic relationships with faculty physicians, other health care staff, and community members.

Acts as hospital administrative liaison with external agencies and constituencies.

Establishes a strong relationship with other departments and administrative leaders to facilitate collaborative efforts to enhance achievement of the Department of Nursing and Patient Care and University of Iowa Health Care objectives.

Confer with nursing leadership to facilitate collaborative relationships and networks that enhance the tripartite mission of the organization: service, research, and education.

Exhibits guiding behaviors that reflect UIHC values and support our mission and vision.

Participates in System activities to promote support of system foundational goals.

Promote positive service relationships with patients/families, physicians, labor unions and staff.

Represents the Department of Nursing at national, state, and local levels as delegated by the CNE.

Program and Patient Care/Services Delivery

Work across multiple clinical functions and with medical directors to implement best care practices and new models of care/service. Address implementation issues across clinical functions and with other departments

Leads/Participates in the development, implementation and of key tactics within service lines/new programs that support the business planning activities- including identifying opportunities, pro-forma development, implementation planning and successful execution that results in improving care delivery, patient safety/quality, and work environment.

In collaboration with executive leadership and appropriate departments, assures alignment with practice in program activities including database programs, care model modalities, recruitment, budgets, and other key activities.

Facilitates organizational change by leading and supporting staff in a rapidly changing health care environment.

Leads programs coordinating all department activities with key stakeholders including but not limited to Foundation, Marketing and communication, IT, Finance, Planning, to ensure maximum efficiencies, reimbursement, and growth.

Participates or establishes links in community advocacy efforts to assure University of Iowa Health Care is represented in standard setting groups that are key relationships with the health care institution.

 Human Resources Management

In collaboration with departmental HR Representative(s) works across multiple clinical functions and with medical, collegiate and hospital leaders to ensure a consistent approach to HR management. Hold unit leaders accountable for high performance and high engagement by articulating expectations, monitoring performance, and providing feedback consistently across areas of responsibility. Approve resource allocations and staffing models.

Creates and maintains a work environment that ensures optimal engagement of the workforce.

Facilitates a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and accountability with the leadership team, across disciplines/departments.

Continuously evaluates and modifies staffing models to ensure the right staff is performing the right job in the most efficient manner.

Serves as the administrative leader in concert with the designated medical and administrative leadership, promotes cohesive, coordinated, integrated and innovative program development for areas of responsibility. This includes program plan development with goals and objectives that address clinical growth, service, quality, people, financial, and research/educational performance.

Hire, develop and manage performance of leadership team. Provide coaching and mentoring, identify training opportunities, and provide leadership for goal setting and career development. Develops a cohesive leadership team for overall operational, quality/patient safety, and financial excellence. Assures leaders are accountable for developing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment.

Operations, Standards of Care, Regulatory Compliance, Quality and Patient Satisfaction

Manage across multiple clinical functions to develop and monitor quality and service indicators. Oversee patient satisfaction and quality indicators. Assure that clinical services are in compliance with all applicable internal and external requirements.

 Accountable for the execution of quality initiatives (system/service line).

Assures compliance with applicable regulatory bodies specific to programs of care.

Incorporates data bases, national standards, regulatory body standards, technology, and innovation in support of quality initiatives.

Understands and supports research/educational activities of nursing staff and patient care team.

Collaborates to improve programs and efficiency through developing the appropriate infrastructure to foster innovation efforts in providing a unified approach to care delivery. Identifies changes and trends in the external environment impacting care delivery, ensuring policies are in alignment with best practice care.

Uses business analytics to monitor and improve department effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity and patient/family/employee/ experience.

Financial Management/Business Analytics

Develop strategy for budget priorities for multiple clinical functions and negotiate among them to address resource issues. Hold unit leaders and clinical leaders accountable for managing budget. Work with internal and external leaders to address and resolve budget issues. Seek methods to enhance revenue.

Evaluates, develops and adapts/aligns goals, budget, and business processes of the Department of Nursing Services clinical service line to meet the changing healthcare environment and needs of patients and families to support organizational goals and objectives.

Partner with CNE and key department leaders to develop operating and capital budgets in support of the established integrated strategic/operational/financial plans. 

Analyzes, monitors, and manages costs and charging mechanisms, along with reimbursement and coding practices, and initiation of new programs, making recommendations to maximize reimbursement for services/reduce overall expenses.

Regularly monitors financial performance and adjusts operations to address priorities and allocation of needed resources to achieve targeted levels of fiscal performance.

Keep abreast of regulatory requirements, legal, reimbursement changes, and industry trends. Establish appropriate database registries, certifications, and external benchmark reasons to deliver outstanding clinical care.