Director of Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Services

Rush University Medical Center, a nationally recognized clinical and academic institution and the teaching hospital for Rush Medical and Nursing Colleges, located in downtown Chicago, invites applications for the position of Director of Advanced Practice Providers (APP) Services.

The Director of APP Services supports the Office of Advanced Practice (OAP) operations in collaboration with the Associate Vice President (AVP) of Advanced Practice Providers and is responsible for ensuring the provision of the highest quality patient care. This role provides strategic leadership, consultation, and support to APPs within respective areas of clinical focus. The Director of APP Services functions as the primary resource regarding APP optimal utilization, recruitment and retention, collaborative practice models, credentialing, orientation and onboarding, regulation and policy issues, competency, professional development, research, and educational activities.

This position requires collaboration with physician and nursing executives and demonstrates excellent communication, coordination, collaboration, and cross-functional partnership with Rush leadership, service lines, and departments.

Three Directors of Advanced Practice Providers will work under the leadership of the AVP of APPs to optimize clinical, operational, and financial outcomes for patients across the care continuum.

Focus Areas: Three Directors will focus on one or more of the following areas in addition to serving as the primary escalation point for APP-related needs within their clinical areas:

• Recruitment and Onboarding: Leads efforts to attract and seamlessly integrate new APPs into the organization.
• Deployment Models and Utilization: Designs and optimizes APP deployment and collaborative care models.
• Professional Development and Engagement: Develops programs to support APP career growth and engagement.

The Director will dedicate 0.60 FTE to administrative activities and 0.40 FTE to clinical activities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Advanced Practice Systems Leadership:

• Serves as the primary leadership point of escalation for all aspects of APP practice within assigned clinical area focus..
• Acts as an organizational resource for APP clinical practice within assigned clinical focus.
• Direct manager for APP Managers and Lead APPs within defined subset of APP workforce.
• Provides systems-level leadership for a cohort of 100-140 APPs within clinical focus..
• Works cross-functionally to represent the Office of Advanced Practice with focus on best practices for APP hiring, onboarding, credentialing, privileging, quality and safety, compliance, compensation and benefits, professional development, engagement, and retention within assigned clinical focus..
• Provides strategic oversight for APP Managers’ responsibilities: front-line APP workforce management, service line specific outcome metrics, recruitment, onboarding, educational opportunities, engagement, scope of practice optimization, research, and incentive planning.
• Provides systems-level strategic oversight for special projects which may include APP care model design and optimization, professional development, recruitment, onboarding and orientation, and APP-related metrics and key performance indicators.
• Maintains active clinical practice in area of clinical expertise.

Educational Leadership:

• Creates, maintains, and provides oversight for APP continuing medical education programs within respective clinical area..
• Ensures adherence to all accreditation, regulatory and system policies, and procedures.
• Creates, organizes, and provides ongoing assessment of all curricular components of APP onboarding and orientation programs at Rush in conjunction with physician and nursing leaders in those areas.
• Continuously updates clinical and administrative onboarding curriculum based on new knowledge and trends in specialty care.
• Identifies areas of educational need across the system and assigned focus and develops strategies to provide that education.
• Contributes to advance organizational initiatives that achieve APP retention through appropriate education and job training.

Inspirational Leadership:

• Supports the vision, direction, and leadership for advanced practice at Rush.
• Works collaboratively across organizational lines to optimize APP deployment and utilization.
• Acts as a change agent and manages organizational change efforts to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Is a progressive leader who inspires others to anticipate future APP professional development needs.

Operational Leadership:

• Establishes, implements, and evaluates program goals and outcomes in alignment with the OAP mission, vision, and strategic plan.
• Provides leadership support regarding accreditation and regulatory activities including but not limited to TJC, CMS, licensure and other safety and quality initiatives as it relates to the APP practice.
• In collaboration with the AVP, provides administrative oversight to assigned APP groups to ensure consistent clinical practice principles are upheld for the individual practice groups.
• Supports the operations of the APP privileging and credentialing process.
• Hires, supervises, disciplines, and facilitates assigned APP groups.
• Assists in the development and implementation of innovative and new models of care as they pertain to the APP role.
• Collaborates to achieve quality outcomes and targets for APP Practice.
• May serve as faculty for the College of Nursing or College of Health Sciences and encourages clinical teaching and precepting among clinically practicing APPs.
• Provides written policies and procedures and maintains other important documentation.
• Fosters and operationalizes educational programs as necessary to ensure clinical and quality outcomes.

People Leadership:

• Cultivates a culture that promotes professional growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, constructive communication, flexibility, teamwork, and customer service.
• Serves as a leader of APP clinical and professional development.
• Supports overall Office of Advanced Practice organizational structure and professional development of APP leaders across the medical group.

Functional Leadership:

• Promotes Rush programs both internally and externally.
• Provides continuing education opportunities for staff development based on scientific advances, evidence-based practice, and changes in technology, society, or health care delivery systems.
• Actively participates in APP employee engagement efforts.
• Maintains active licensure, certifications, clinical competencies, skills, educational and regulatory requirements of the role.
• Actively participates in professional organizations.

Cultural Leadership:

• Models the mission, vision, and values of Rush and the Office of Advanced Practice.
• Consistently displays and holds others accountable for displaying the ICARE behaviors.
• Displays a commitment to the development of a culture of inclusion throughout all aspects of the organization.
• Serves as a role model and resource for professional colleagues.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment for all APPs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies required.
• Minimum of nine years’ experience as a clinically practicing APRN or PA required.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in APP leadership preferred.
• Current IL Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Licensure or IL Physician Assistant Licensure required.
• Current APRN discipline specific board certification or National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants Certification required.
• Significant knowledge of hospital and ambulatory policies, systems, and procedures.
• Knowledge of clinical and educational standards and best practices.
• Ability to lead teams required.
• Analytical ability required.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, as well as advanced organizational skills required.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with executive and university leaders inside and outside the organization preferred.
• Detail oriented and ability to manage multiple projects, prioritizing workload to maximize efficiency.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
• Work requires lifting or carrying objects 25 lbs.
• Advanced information systems and computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are required.
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Rush has over 600 APPs across the enterprise that provide comprehensive patient care each day autonomously and in collaboration with other members of the health care team. Across the system, the APPs are supported by 4 levels of leadership, including 39 Lead APPs, three chief CRNAs, two Directors of APPs and an AVP. Rush’s vision is to have every APP practicing at full scope and top of license. APPs at Rush are highly competent, well-respected members of the healthcare team that contribute to the excellent quality care that Rush patients receive each day.

Rush University System for Health is an academic health system integrating patient care, education, research, and community partnerships to improve health in diverse communities.

Rush includes Rush University Medical Center, Rush University (2,500+ students across medical, nursing, and health sciences colleges), Rush Copley Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital, and regional outpatient facilities.

Rush is recognized both for clinical excellence and as a top employer. U.S. News & World Report placed Rush on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2026–2027, ranking it among the top 50 of more than 4,500 hospitals evaluated and No. 1 among Illinois and Chicago-area hospitals. Vizient awarded Rush its Quality Leadership Award, marking the 13th consecutive year the health system has ranked among the top 10 of 99 academic medical centers nationwide. On the workplace side, Modern Healthcare named Rush one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2026, citing its culture, financial rewards, and training and advancement opportunities, while Becker's Hospital Review similarly included Rush University System for Health on its 2026 list of top places to work in healthcare, pointing to culture, comprehensive compensation and benefits, and extensive mental health resources as key factors.

Rush is committed to health equity, particularly addressing the 16-year life expectancy gap between Chicago's Loop and West Side. As the largest West Side employer, Rush implements an Anchor Mission strategy through local hiring, investing, sourcing, and volunteering. The system has invested over $6 million on the West Side since 2018 while continuing to provide excellent patient care for all.

Rush offers competitive total compensation that includes base pay, benefits, and other incentive programs for our employees. The total pay range shown reflects the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, knowledge and skills; relevant experience and training; education, certifications, and licensure; primary work location; and other business and organizational factors. This total pay range is for a full-time, 1.0 FTE employee, and includes any incentive payments that may be applicable to this role, as well as additional compensation such as sign-on and retention bonuses and relocation allowances. Opportunities for increased compensation based on exceeding productivity targets. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package.

Total Compensation Pay Range: $144,000 - $215,000

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page(https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Rush University System for Health is an academic health system integrating patient care, education, research, and community partnerships to improve health in diverse communities.

Rush includes Rush University Medical Center, Rush University (2,500+ students across medical, nursing, and health sciences colleges), Rush Copley Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital, and regional outpatient facilities.

Rush is recognized for clinical excellence, earning placement on U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals Honor Roll 2025-2026 (top 20 of 5,000+ hospitals evaluated). The system received Vizient's Quality Leadership Award, ranking within the top ten among 99 academic medical centers for the 13^th consecutive year.

All three hospitals earned LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation, and Rush has been named a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" for six consecutive years.

Rush is committed to health equity, particularly addressing the 16-year life expectancy gap between Chicago's Loop and West Side. As the largest West Side employer, Rush implements an Anchor Mission strategy through local hiring, investing, sourcing, and volunteering. The system has invested over $6 million on the West Side since 2018 while continuing to provide excellent patient care for all.