Professional Practice Director Nursing – Regional Education, Scope & Regulation

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Executive Director Nursing Professional Practice and Education, the Professional Practice (PP) Director is a member of the Professional Practice Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of initiatives that support nursing education, workforce development, professional standards, scope of practice, and regulatory excellence across Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

Working in close collaboration with leaders, clinicians, educators, regulatory bodies, and academic partners, the Director guides the development of professional standards of practice, including scope optimization of nursing roles. This position oversees nursing education programs related to Peri-Operative nursing, Employed Student Nurses, and nurse new entrants to practice. The Director plays an integral role in defining quality care processes, creating quality practice environments, and advancing professional practice of nurses in support of VCH's strategic priorities.

This is a highly visible regional leadership role that influences professional practice and workforce development across one of Canada's largest and most complex healthcare organizations.

Portfolio Overview

This portfolio provides cross organization leadership and oversight for a broad range of professional practice, education, workforce development, and regulatory initiatives across Vancouver Coastal Health.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Coordination of Specialty Nursing Education
• Regional Perioperative Education Program (RPEP)
• Employed Student Nurse Program
• New Graduate Transition Program
• Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) Program
• Regional Orientation
• Interdisciplinary Simulation Services (excluding VGH)
• Library Services
• Nurse Educator learning and development pathways
• SHOP (Shared Health Online Practice Portal)
• Scope of Practice consultation and decision support
• Scope and Practice Review Coordination Committee (SPRCC)

 

The Director serves as a senior organizational resource for complex scope of practice and regulatory issues and works closely with provincial partners, professional regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations to advance nursing practice and educational programs across VCH.

Key Responsibilities

• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of authority-wide professional practice policies, standards, and strategies aligned with VCH's vision, values, and strategic priorities.
• Provides strategic leadership for professional practice, nursing education, workforce development, and regulatory initiatives across the organization.
• Develops professional practice and education networks that enhance knowledge sharing, monitor emerging trends, identify opportunities for innovation, and promote consistent delivery of professional practice services across VCH.
• Ensures effective systems and processes are in place to support professional standards, workforce sustainability, accreditation requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Provides leadership and expert consultation regarding professional practice, scope of practice, nursing regulation, and workforce development.
• Leads implementation of legislative, regulatory, and professional practice changes impacting nursing practice.
• Supports the advancement of evidence-informed practice, research activities, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Builds and maintains collaborative partnerships with regulatory colleges, provincial organizations, educational institutions, healthcare partners, and operational leaders.
• Facilitates, collaborates, and negotiates effective resolution of complex professional practice issues.
• Provides overall leadership and direction to staff through coaching, mentoring, performance management, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Contributes to creating practice environments that promote excellence, accountability, respect, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

Current Strategic Priorities

This portfolio is leading several significant initiatives, including:

• Redesign and launch of the Regional Perioperative Education Program (RPEP).
• Ongoing enhancement of supports and integration pathways for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs).
• Implementation of practice changes arising from the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA).
• Advancement of nursing scope optimization initiatives across VCH.
• Continued development of education, orientation, simulation, and workforce transition programs.
• Support of provincial nursing regulation and professional practice initiatives in partnership with the Ministry of Health, regulatory colleges, and healthcare partners.

 

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is a strategic and collaborative nurse leader with deep expertise in professional practice, nursing education, workforce development, regulation, and systems leadership.

They bring the credibility to influence diverse partner groups, the ability to navigate complex regulatory and professional practice environments, and the leadership skills required to advance organization-wide initiatives.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of nursing education, workforce development, professional practice, and regulatory excellence across Vancouver Coastal Health while influencing system-wide initiatives that support high-quality patient care and a sustainable healthcare workforce.

 

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Nursing or another relevant Health Sciences discipline.
• Progressive senior leadership experience in a complex healthcare environment, including professional practice leadership, clinical operations, education, research, quality improvement, and project management.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, building strategic partnerships, and advancing evidence-informed practice across large and complex health systems.
• Current practicing registration in good standing with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) or another applicable professional regulatory body.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Extensive knowledge of nursing professional practice, regulation, professional governance, and scope of practice.
• Experience leading large-scale education, workforce development, or professional practice portfolios.
• Strong understanding of healthcare legislation, accreditation standards, regulatory frameworks, and professional accountability.
• Experience working with provincial partners, regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and healthcare partners to design and implement education strategies.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic initiatives and organizational change within complex healthcare systems.
• Strong systems thinking, strategic planning, consultation, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, negotiation, and partner engagement skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple programs, disciplines, and organizational levels.

Leadership Competencies

Respect

• Questions actions inconsistent with organizational values.
• Treats people fairly and respectfully regardless of role or differing perspectives.

 Performance Excellence

• Builds high-performing teams and inspires excellence.
• Holds self and others accountable for results.

 Learning Organization

• Creates environments where people can learn, grow, and thrive.
• Encourages innovation, evidence-informed practice, and continuous improvement.

 Courage to Innovate

• Challenges the status quo to improve quality and sustainability.
• Makes thoughtful decisions and leads change in complex environments.

Work Location:

• Doctor's Residence / Heather Pavilion – Vancouver B.C.
• This role supports a regional portfolio across Vancouver Coastal Health and requires a visible and engaged leadership presence. Regular onsite engagement is essential to build strong relationships, support collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups, and advance professional practice, education, and workforce development initiatives throughout the organization.

Our Values

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities is guided by our shared values:

We Care for EveryoneWe approach our work with compassion, respect, equity, and inclusion.

We Are Always LearningWe embrace curiosity, innovation, research, and continuous improvement.

We Strive for Better ResultsWe seek opportunities to improve quality, safety, and outcomes.

We Work TogetherWe believe meaningful collaboration is essential to achieving lasting impact.

Details

If you have any questions, please reach out to Harleen Dastur-Randhawa, Manager, Executive Talent Acquisition at [email protected] Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.Unless otherwise noted on the posting, internal job postings close at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on the listed Closing Date. Please submit your digital application via the Internal Career Portal prior to the Closing Date & Time.We regret that only short listed candidates will be acknowledged.This is an internal job posting for Vancouver Coastal Health employees only.