Health System Spotlight: Inova Health System

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Known for its world-class medical services and outstanding care, Inova Health System is a national leader in the healthcare industry. This health system’s professionalism, technological advances and commitment to its employees attract many top-notch physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. With services ranging from neuroscience to behavioral health and orthopedics, plenty of career opportunities for nurses and allied health professionals await. Explore what it’s like working for this large healthcare organization and its many employee perks and benefits in this comprehensive health system spotlight.

Overview of Inova Health System

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Founded in 1956, Inova Health has vastly expanded throughout the years and is now northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare system. This healthcare network employs over 22,000 healthcare professionals who deliver high-quality care to more than 2 million people annually. With over 250 care sites that span Virginia, Maryland and the Washington D.C. metro area, there are numerous Inova Health System jobs available, including some at the following locations:

• Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, VA
• Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, VA
• Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA
• Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, VA
• Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, VA

Committed to improving patient outcomes and new medical advancements, Inova Health boasts several clinical research programs and grant opportunities. Some noteworthy research areas include oncology, 3D printing, extended reality, neuroscience and epilepsy. Additionally, this health system aligns with and participates in payor programs, such as a Clinically Integrated Network, Medicare Shared Savings Program and Accountable Care Organizations, to deliver low-cost medical care.

Mission, Vision and Values

Inova Health services its communities through dedicated, individualized and innovative patient care. As noted on its website, Inova Health’s vision is “To be among the leading health systems in the nation.” 

Inova Health System strives to deliver exemplary medical care and an enhanced patient care experience at every encounter. The healthcare system further defines its mission: “To provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve.”

By embodying its mission and vision, Inova Health aspires to live its core values and principles, which include:

• Patient Always – It works with compassion to ensure every action taken puts patients and their families first.
• Our People – It creates an environment of respect and growth where contributions are recognized and rewarded. 
• One Team – It promotes strength in working together as a unified healthcare system, enriched by diversity and driven by a shared purpose.
• Integrity – It consistently upholds the highest moral and ethical standards and honors its commitments. 
• Excellence – It acts with courage, holds itself accountable and achieves results at the highest level of performance in the field.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

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Inova Health endeavors to create an equitable and diverse workplace where team members feel a true sense of belonging. The organization embraces inclusion and has several committees and councils where team members can participate in its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Inova Health boasts numerous DEI councils, where team members can choose from groups like:

• Black Leader Advisory Committee 
• Healthcare Young Professionals Exchange
• Inova Inclusion Council
• Interfaith Unity Council
• Multicultural Empowerment Through Inclusion and Support

In addition, many outside organizations have recognized Inova Health for its robust DEI initiatives. In 2022, Equality Loudoun recognized Inova Health as an Equity Ally partner for its inclusive culture. Furthermore, the Human Rights Campaign recognized the healthcare system as a top performer for its 2022 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Index scores and Forbes magazine named Inova Health on its “The Best Employers for Women ” list in 2022.

Community Initiatives

This extensive health system serves its communities through partnerships and health improvement projects. Inova Health’s Partnership for Healthier Communities provides uninsured children and adults with resources for affordable healthcare services such as Medicaid or low-cost medical care coverage programs. Inova Loudoun Hospital Mobile Health Services serves residents of Loudoun County by offering mobile health screenings and preventive wellness education. 

Additionally, Inova has several care clinics that offer affordable medical services, such as behavioral health, women’s services and prenatal care to uninsured or low-income families. The Inova Lions Eye Clinic provides free eye care to uninsured adults. The healthcare organization also sponsors several community events throughout the year, including blood drives. 

Inova Health System also provides a multitude of community health education, information and resource programs. The vast healthcare system collaborates with the Fairfax County Public Library to improve community access to reliable health information. It educates children about healthy eating habits through its Childhood Obesity Prevention program. The Inova Juniper Program offers HIV-positive individuals comprehensive medical services, ranging from primary care and mental health to substance abuse and case management.

Notable Awards and Honors

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Noted for providing exceptional healthcare, Inova Health System has earned an array of awards, honors and accolades. Several of its hospitals ranked on the 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Regional Hospitals for the Washington D.C. Metro area, which include the following:

• No. 1 Inova Fairfax Hospital 
• No. 8 Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
• No. 8 Inova Alexandria Hospital

Inova Fairfax Hospital also ranked No. 1 on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Hospitals in Virginia for 2023-24. 

Some additional awards, certifications and honors the Inova Health System has earned include:

• Leapfrog’s “Straight A’s in Safety” and “Top Hospital” awards in 2023
• Accreditation from the Joint Commission for all Inova hospitals and the Inova Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Services
• WebMD’s 2023-24 Patient Choice Award for excellence in stomach cancer in the Washington Metro area
• Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers for its excellence in cancer care
• Named on NurseJournal’s list of Best Hospitals to Work as a Nurse for 2023

Additionally, all five Inova hospitals received a 4-star rating or higher from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for delivering quality services in 2023. As of 2023, all Inova Health hospitals have earned Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The prestigious Magnet Recognition Program recognizes nurses for providing exceptional, collaborative care and advancing nursing practice standards. 

Working at Inova Health System

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As one of Virginia’s leading healthcare employers, nurses and allied health workers have plenty of career choices at Inova Health System. What sets Inova Health apart from other health systems are its competitive and comprehensive benefits and numerous advancement opportunities for its nurses and healthcare professionals.

Benefits and Other Perks

Inova Health System values the health and well-being of its employees and offers an array of benefits. Some of these benefits and perks include:

• Medical insurance plans, including gender affirmation and transgender benefits
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• 401k and 403b retirement savings plan options with employer match
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts
• Generous paid time off, holiday pay and sick time
• Student loan assistance of $150 per month up to $10,000
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 annually
• Scholarships for team member’s dependents majoring in a health field
• Free virtual fitness app classes, health coaching and well-baby support services
• Discounted memberships, childcare and childbirth education classes
• Family planning support, including paid maternity and paternity leave
• Employee assistance program
• Basic, supplemental and accidental death & dismemberment life insurance
• Short and long-term disability benefits
• Identity theft protection and other legal services
• Discounts on travel and entertainment services and auto, pet and home insurance 

Nursing Programs

Inova Health boasts a talented, diverse professional network of nursing opportunities and programs. The healthcare organization seeks to attract and retain highly skilled nurses and ensure robust professional practice standards. Inova Health strives to embody its philosophy and healthy work environment through its professional practice model, including these six focus areas:

• Care Delivery System
• Collaborative Relationships
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Meaningful Recognition
• Professional Vision and Value
• Shared Transformational Leadership

Additionally, Inova’s Nursing Excellence Scholarship Program awards nurses up to $5,000 in scholarships for their merit-based achievements. Inova Health demonstrates its commitment to supporting its nurses through its many professional development and clinical leadership opportunities. Some of the nursing programs Inova Health offers include the following. 

New Graduate Nurse Residency Program

The Vizient/American Association of Colleges of Nursing Nurse Residency Program helps new nurses transition seamlessly into professional nursing practice. This one-year program offers blended learning through classroom sessions, online modules and hands-on simulation experiences. Participants expand their clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills while partnering with experienced nurses to gain bedside experience.

Nurse Externship Program

Nursing students who apply for this program have the opportunity to become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a registered nurse. Participants partner alongside an experienced nurse and can choose from various specialty areas to pursue their interests. 

Professional Development Opportunities

Inova Health boasts an array of professional development opportunities, including workshops and online continuing education and certification preparation courses. Ongoing interactive workshops cover career coaching and mentoring, healing touch and charge nurse and preceptor warehouse courses.

Travel Registered Nurse Careers

Full-time employed registered nurses may opt to participate in the Inova Staffing Solutions, where they travel to all five Inova hospitals supporting units on a day-to-day basis. Travel nurses can choose from specialties such as emergency medicine, pediatrics, critical care and labor and delivery. Those specializing in perioperative services support one care site for 12-week periods.

Contact Information

Inova Health System
8095 Innovation Park Drive
Fairfax, VA 22031
(855) 694-6682

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