Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.
Job Description Summary
The Director, Magnet Program (“MPD”) provides enterprise-wide strategic leadership, direction, and accountability for the development, coordination, and evaluation of organizational structures and professional practice processes that advance nursing excellence. This role is responsible for leading and advancing a culture of inquiry through the integration of evidence-based practice, nursing research, innovation, quality improvement, and professional development initiatives across nursing practice. In collaboration with nursing, clinical, operational, and interdisciplinary leaders, the MPD leads organizational strategies and initiatives to strengthen professional nursing practice, support achievement and sustainment of Magnet standards, and drive measurable improvements in patient outcomes, care delivery, patient experience, and organizational performance.
The MPD provides organizational leadership for the integration and sustainment of the Magnet Model’s five core components: Transformational Leadership, Structural Empowerment, Exemplary Professional Practice, New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements, and Empirical Quality Outcomes throughout the organization. In addition, the MPD provides strategic oversight of the Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP), ensuring compliance with accrediting standards, program effectiveness, and ongoing excellence in nurse transition-to-practice initiatives. This role also supervises and mentors the PTAP Program Coordinator, providing strategic direction, operational guidance, and evaluation of program outcomes to advance organizational goals and professional development objectives.
Job Description
The Magnet Program Director
- Maintains expert knowledge of current Magnet requirements and provides strategic leadership and accountability for all components of SRAlab’s Magnet designation and redesignation process, including the identification of exemplars and collection of evidence, resulting in the development and submission of written documentation, as well as coordination of the site visit.
- Oversees the development, validation, and the timely submission of Demographic Data Collection Tool (DDCT) to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Provides consultation to Human Resources and nursing leadership regarding the Magnet requirements for nurse satisfaction measurement and uses organizational findings to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Partners with unit-based leadership teams to develop, implement, and evaluate action plans that address survey findings and promote improvements in nurse engagement and work environment outcomes.
- Provides strategic leadership and consultation to Nursing Professional Governance councils by providing guidance and direction related to organizational goals and Magnet criteria.
- Collaborates with the Director of Nursing Research and maintains organizational visibility into and supports the advancement of nursing research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement initiatives that demonstrate Magnet outcomes and nursing excellence.
- Leads the periodic evaluation and advancement of the nursing professional practice model and the patient care delivery model within nursing.
- Provides organizational leadership, education, consultation, and mentorship related to Magnet requirements to nursing, physicians, allied health, and all other interprofessional partners build and sustain an environment of nursing excellence.
- Directs the Magnet program, ensuring key milestones, deliverables, resources, and budget requirements are achieved within established timeframes. Identifies resource needs, risks, and opportunities for operational improvement and recommends strategies to nursing leadership. Serves as SRAlab’s primary organizational liaison to the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program, monitor changes to Magnet standards and requirements, assesses the organizational impact, and leads implementation of required changes across nursing.
- Advances nursing structural empowerment through education, mentorship, consultation and team building.
- Provides strategic and operational oversight of the PTAP program, ensuring continued accreditation, regulatory and program compliance, and achievement of defined program outcomes. Directly supervises, develops, and evaluates the PTAP program coordinator.
- Represents Shirley Ryan AbilityLab externally as a leader in nursing excellence and Magnet practice through professional organizations, conferences, publications, presentations, and other professional forums.
Reporting Relationships
- Reports directly to the Associate Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required
- Master’s degree in nursing required. Doctorate degree preferred.
- Current Illinois license to practice as a Registered Nurse is required.
- Current CPR certification is required.
- Knowledge of Magnet standards and experience in a Magnet organization preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of recent and progressive nursing and/or healthcare leadership experience, including demonstrated responsibility for complex programs or enterprise-wide initiatives; previous experience successfully leading a Magnet designation or redesignation process strongly preferred.
- Experience interpreting and utilizing nursing quality, workforce, engagement, and outcome data, including NDNQI data, to identify trends and drive organizational improvement.
- Practices in accordance with professional practice standards and the ANA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for Nurses.
- Strong organizational, project management and presentation skills.
- Strong analytical skills to assess, plan and implement strategies for program management.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrates a high level of initiative and creative problem-solving.
- Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgment.
- Demonstrates strategic thinking and the ability to translate organizational priorities and accreditation requirements into actionable strategies across nursing and interdisciplinary functions. Prior involvement in professional advancement programs and professional governance preferred.
- Well versed in computer skills and of the entire Microsoft Office Suite.
Working Conditions
- Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Pay and Benefits*:
Pay Range:
$100,100.00 - $167,100.00
Benefits:
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits
*Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.
