Vice President of WellSpace Institute

Vice President of WellSpace Institute

Department/Care Stream: Supportive Departments

LIA Reporting Structure:

Timecard Approver: Chief Health Officer

Primary: Chief Operations Officer

Secondary: Chief Health Officer

Status: Full-time

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Admin, 1500 Expo Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95815

Level of team: Leadership

Pay Range: $179,100-$268,650 annual salary

EEO-1: Professionals, Managers

Organization Information

WellSpace's mission is "achieving regional health through high quality comprehensive care." We believe that everyone deserves to be seen, no matter who you are, where you come from, where you work or what place you call home. At WellSpace, we see you!

We are driven to serve the whole person through comprehensive, integrated care, spanning medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services across the region. We do this by building a team of exceptional colleagues who are dedicated to our mission and becoming part of the communities we serve.

As the region's largest Community Health System, WellSpace utilizes a Confluence Model to integrate an internal network of healthcare modalities, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC), Drug Medi-Cal and Specialty Mental Health programs, California's second largest 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Center, an independent Risk Bearing Organization (WellSpace Nexus), and more into a seamless confluence of care.

To ensure the highest quality of care, WellSpace is accredited by the Joint Commission for Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health and as a CCBHC. Further, it is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home and a Behavioral Health Home. WellSpace's crisis programs are accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and the International Council for Helplines.

Position Summary

The Vice President of WellSpace Institute provides strategic leadership for WellSpace Health's education, workforce development, academic partnerships, and employment pathway initiatives. As a member of the Leadership Team, this executive develops and sustains innovative educational programs that strengthen the healthcare workforce while creating pathways that encourage employment opportunities within WellSpace Health.

The Vice President oversees the organization's educational division dedicated to advancing clinical excellence, leadership development, residency and fellowship programs, apprenticeships, internships, onboarding, continuing education, and academic partnerships.

This position collaborates closely with operational, clinical, academic, community, and Human Resources leaders to develop educational opportunities, strengthen community relationships, expand clinical learning experiences, and support workforce readiness. The Vice President serves in a dyadic partnership with the Vice President of Ambulatory Care & Services to strengthen relationships with educational institutions, professional organizations, and community partners that support future healthcare professionals and encourage careers with WellSpace Health.

Why This Role Matters

The Vice President of WellSpace Institute helps shape the future healthcare workforce by creating exceptional educational experiences, building strong academic and community partnerships, and preparing healthcare professionals to thrive in mission-driven care. Through innovative education, collaborative partnerships, and lifelong learning opportunities, this leader strengthens both the organization and the healthcare workforce throughout the region.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide executive leadership for WellSpace Institute and establish a long-term strategic vision aligned with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, participating in strategic planning, budgeting, organizational initiatives, and executive decision-making.
• Develop annual goals, measurable outcomes, and educational strategies.
• Foster a culture of learning, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Represent WellSpace Institute with educational institutions, community organizations, government agencies, professional associations, and funding organizations.

Educational Partnerships & Career Pathways

Lead the organization's educational partnerships and career pathway initiatives by developing, expanding, and evaluating programs including:

• Clinical student placements
• Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program
• Medical Assistant Training Program
• Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner Fellowship
• OB/GYN Residency Program
• Physician Residency Partnerships
• Nursing clinical rotations
• Behavioral Health internships
• Social Work internships
• Volunteer programs
• Community internship programs
• High school healthcare career exploration
• College healthcare career pathway programs
• Academic affiliations
• University partnerships
• Community partnerships
• Develop and strengthen relationships with educational institutions, professional organizations, healthcare associations, and community partners that promote healthcare careers and encourage employment opportunities within the organization.

Leadership Development

Provide executive oversight of leadership development programs including:

• LEAD
• DELTA
• New Supervisor Development
• New Manager Academy
• Coaching and mentoring programs

Support leadership succession through educational opportunities that prepare future organizational leaders.

Clinical Education & Organizational Learning

Provide oversight of organization-wide education including:

• New employee onboarding
• Clinical orientation
• Preceptor development
• Continuing education
• Annual competencies
• Professional education curriculum
• Career advancement education

Ensure educational offerings support quality care, patient safety, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and organizational priorities. The position requires frequent travel between organizational locations, attendance at community and academic meetings, prolonged computer work, and occasional evening or weekend events.

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Education

Provide executive oversight for:

• Epic/OCHIN training
• EHR onboarding
• Advanced EHR education
• Workflow optimization
• Super User development
• Clinical informatics education
• Refresher and continuing EHR education

Collaborate with Informatics, Information Technology, and operational leaders to improve EHR utilization and efficiency.

Patient-Centered Health Home (PCHH) Education

Lead organization-wide education supporting:

• Patient-Centered Health Home principles
• Integrated care delivery
• Team-based care
• Population health
• Quality improvement
• Care coordination
• Value-based care
• Regulatory readiness

Organizational Partnerships

Partner closely with Human Resources, Operational Leadership, Credentialing, and clinical leaders to:

• Strengthen relationships with academic institutions and community organizations.
• Expand educational affiliations and clinical learning opportunities.
• Promote awareness of career opportunities within the organization.
• Encourage students, residents, fellows, apprentices, interns, and volunteers to pursue employment opportunities following program completion.
• Support workforce planning through educational partnerships and community engagement.

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Develop and manage departmental operating and capital budgets.
• Pursue grants and external funding supporting education and workforce initiatives.
• Monitor return on investment for educational programs.
• Establish performance indicators and reporting dashboards.
• Ensure effective stewardship of educational resources.

Regulatory & Program Compliance

Ensure compliance with applicable standards including:

• HRSA requirements
• ACGME requirements (where applicable)
• Educational affiliation agreements
• California licensing regulations
• Continuing education standards
• Joint Commission standards
• OSHA requirements
• CMS requirements
• Other applicable federal, state, and accrediting agency requirements

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision to education leaders and managers.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing educational staff.
• Build collaborative relationships across departments.
• Lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Master's degree required in one of the following:

• Healthcare Administration
• Nursing
• Public Health
• Education
• Business Administration
• Organizational Leadership
• Related field

Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DNP, MD, DO, or equivalent) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum ten (10) years progressive healthcare leadership experience.
• Minimum five (5) years executive or senior leadership.
• Experience leading educational or workforce development programs.
• Experience managing organizational budgets.
• Experience developing academic and community partnerships.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience in FQHCs, academic medicine, integrated healthcare, or public health preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following:

• Graduate Medical Education
• APP Fellowship Programs
• Nursing Education
• Residency Administration
• Academic Partnerships
• Leadership Development
• Organizational Change Management
• OCHIN Epic/Epic
• HRSA-funded organizations
• Grant Management
• Patient-Centered Medical Home/Health Home
• Value-Based Care

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Executive Leadership

• Strategic planning
• Healthcare education
• Adult learning principles
• Organizational development
• Budget development
• Change management
• Project management
• Relationship building
• Public speaking
• Performance measurement
• Regulatory compliance

Human Resources & Employment Compliance Knowledge

Working knowledge of employment laws and human resource practices sufficient to support educational programs and workforce initiatives, including:

• California and Federal employment laws applicable to healthcare organizations.
• Understanding the legal distinctions between employees, independent contractors, volunteers, interns, apprentices, and students.
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
• Equal Pay Act.
• Immigration Reform and Control Act (I-9 employment eligibility requirements).
• Fair and consistent selection practices that support lawful hiring processes.
• Prevention of unlawful discrimination and harassment.
• Confidential handling of employment-related information.
• Collaboration with Human Resources to ensure educational and workforce programs remain compliant with applicable federal and California employment regulations.

Key Performance Indicators

The Vice President will be accountable for measurable outcomes including:

• Growth of educational and clinical training programs
• Student, resident, fellow, apprentice, and intern participation
• Conversion of program participants into employment with the organization
• Expansion of academic and community partnerships
• Leadership program completion
• Educational program effectiveness
• Onboarding effectiveness
• EHR competency metrics
• Grant funding secured
• Budget performance
• Regulatory compliance
• Educational program satisfaction
• Community partnership development

Core Competencies

• Mission-Driven Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Communication Excellence
• Relationship Building
• Continuous Learning
• Results Orientation
• Servant Leadership

Benefits

Successful candidate will receive regionally competitive salary, above average health benefits at reduced costs, paid life insurance & long-term disability insurance, additional voluntary retirement plan with organizational match and no vesting schedule requirement.

• Paid bereavement and jury duty leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Flexible Spending Program
• Company paid malpractice insurance for all providers
• Professional development hours offered annually

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The work environment is characteristic of a typical office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and arms to reach. The employee is also required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must also possess hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the phone. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves or their homes. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client's use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee may also be exposed to bodily fluids (blood, urine) and hazardous chemicals.

WellSpace Health is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is the intent of WellSpace Health to maintain a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. WellSpace Health is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WellSpace Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer