About the Work Unit :
The Clinical Affairs unit supports VUSN academic programs by overseeing clinical placement operations, compliance, contracting, and external partnerships. The unit operates in a complex, highly regulated, multi-jurisdictional environment requiring coordination across state Boards of Nursing, accrediting bodies, clinical partners, and internal stakeholders. The Compliance function serves as a centralized governance and oversight mechanism to ensure regulatory readiness, audit preparedness, and institutional risk mitigation.
Key Functions and Expected Performance :
Regulatory Compliance and Program Oversight
- Oversee and maintain day-to-day operations of a comprehensive 50-state compliance program related to nursing education, clinical placements, faculty licensure, and student eligibility
- Monitor state Board of Nursing (BON) requirements and regulatory changes and assess operational impact on clinical education activities
- Ensure required documentation, tracking, and verification processes are in place to support BON compliance
- Prepare compliance summaries, reports, and documentation for internal review and submission, as required, with final approval by senior leadership
Serve as the primary operational resource for regulatory compliance questions, escalating complex or high-risk issues to the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs
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Contracts Management and Risk Review Support
- Maintain and manage a centralized contracts and agreements database for all clinical affiliation agreements
- Routinely audit contracts for expiration, renewal timelines, and alignment with institutional standards
- Initiate and track contract renewal processes to prevent lapses in authorization or coverage
- Conduct first-line vetting of clinical affiliation agreements for regulatory, compliance, and risk considerations prior to submission to the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs
- Monitor contract workflow progress and follow up with internal and external stakeholders to resolve delays
Collaborate with contracts staff and legal counsel, as directed, to support legally sound and operationally appropriate agreements.
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Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Audit Readiness
- Lead internal QA/QC processes related to compliance, contracting, licensure, and regulatory documentation
- Conduct routine internal reviews and audits of compliance records, systems data, and documentation
- Identify gaps, trends, and compliance risks and develop recommendations for corrective action
- Maintain audit-ready documentation to support internal audits, accreditation reviews, and external inquiries
Support accreditation reporting and site visits by organizing and maintaining required evidence data and evidence
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Certificates of Insurance and Worker's Compensation Administration
- Oversee the collection, review, and ongoing management of Certificates of Insurance (COI) for clinical sites, preceptors, and partners, ensuring compliance with Vanderbilt and program requirements
- Verify appropriate liability coverage, limits, and endorsements as required for student placements and clinical affiliations
- Ensure appropriate workers' compensation documentation and coverage tracking for students and faculty in jurisdictions where required
- Maintain state-specific records related to insurance and workers' compensation requirements and support verification or reporting needs
- Monitor expiration dates, coordinate renewals, and follow up with sites to prevent lapses in coverage
Escalate complex, ambiguous, or high-risk insurance or workers' compensation issues to senior leadership for review and determination
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Leadership and Team Management
- Manage or co-manage one to three staff members supporting compliance, contracting, credentialing, or related functions
- Establish standardized workflows, documentation practices, and internal controls within the compliance function
Provide training, guidance, and oversight to staff to ensure consistent execution of compliance processes
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Collaboration and Governance
- Work closely with the Director of Clinical Affairs Operations, Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs and Assistant Director of Preceptor Engagement to align compliance, operational, and engagement activities
- Participate in compliance governance discussions and contribute to policy development and process improvement initiatives
Escalate identified risks, regulatory ambiguities, and systemic issues to senior leadership in a timely and structured manner
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Supervisory Relationships :
This position has a co-supervisory responsibility for the clinical placement coordinator for compliance related tasks. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs.
Education and Certifications :
- Bachelor's Degree or relevant job experience required
- Degree in nursing or allied health field preferred
Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) or advanced practice nursing preparation (APRN) strongly preferred
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Experience and Skills :
- Two to four years of experience in regulatory compliance, clinical education administration, healthcare operations, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience supporting multi-regulatory or licensure compliance programs
- Working knowledge of clinical affiliation agreements, compliance auditing, and healthcare contracting
- Experience supporting accreditation process and regulatory reporting
- Prior experience supervising or leading staff in a compliance or operations-focused role
- Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and professional judgment
- Ability to identify compliance risk, apply established frameworks, and appropriately escalate issues in a regulated academic healthcare environment
