Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Job Description

Provides strategic leadership and oversight of all nursing services, ensuring high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Develops and implements nursing policies, manages staff, and fosters collaboration among nursing teams, physicians, and administrators. Oversees financial and operational management, strategic planning, and workforce development to enhance department performance. Leverages a deep understanding of healthcare regulations and industry trends to drive continuous improvement and excellence in patient care.

• Develop and implement the vision, goals, and strategic initiatives for nursing services in alignment with the organization's mission and community needs.
• Participate in decision making processes with governing body, management teams, medical staff and clinical leadership.
• Implement and oversee nursing clinical care practices to ensure high-quality standards, improve patient outcomes, and comply with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Establish, implement, and update nursing policies, procedures, and protocols based on best practices and evidence-based care to assist staff, minimize risk, and optimize patient safety.
• Ensure full compliance with hospital policies and regulatory agencies, including federal, state, and accrediting bodies such as Joint Commission and CMS.
• Oversee the provision of nursing services around the clock, ensuring adequate staffing, operational efficiency, and continuity of care.
• Plan and manage nursing budget in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer, optimizing effective resource utilization. Monitor expenses, forecast staffing plans, and identify opportunities for financial and operational improvements.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage nursing leadership and staff, promoting professional growth, retention, and a positive work environment.
• Direct daily nursing operations, optimize workflows, and improve efficiencies to enhance patient care delivery and hospital performance.
• Serve as a liaison between nursing teams, physicians, administrators, and other departments to ensure cross functional patient care coordination.
• Develop staffing models, oversee nurse scheduling, and ensure adequate nurse-patient ratios to maintain safe, effective and efficient patient care coverage.
• Implement quality improvement initiatives, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and address risks to enhance patient safety. Collaborate with hospital leaders to review and revise quality assurance / performance improvement initiatives. Ensure that all nursing leaders review performance compliance and take corrective actions when necessary.
• Lead nursing teams in emergency preparedness, disaster response, and crisis intervention to ensure patient and staff safety.
• Represent the organization in community health initiatives, professional associations, and public forums to promote healthcare advocacy.
• Lead organizational change efforts, adapt to evolving healthcare trends, and implement best practices to drive continuous improvement in nursing services.
• Exercises final authority over those associated with providing nursing care, treatment and services.
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications