Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) - Laredo, TX

Laredo Medical Center is Laredo's largest hospital — a 326-bed licensed acute care facility offering a range of inpatient and outpatient services. The hospital's quality of care has been recognized by respected agencies and national accrediting bodies, including accreditation by the Joint Commission, advanced certification as a Primary Stroke Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care designation, Chest Pain Accredited v6 with Primary PCI Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology, and MBSAQIP accreditation for its bariatric program. LMC is also the first hospital in Laredo to achieve the Center for Excellence designation for its bariatric program and holds an Advanced Level III Trauma Designation for its emergency center. The hospital expanded its footprint with the opening of Laredo Medical Center - North Central ER in 2020 and features a dedicated bone and joint services unit with robotic-assisted surgery capabilities. LMC also hosts the city's first nationally accredited graduate medical education program for family medicine and internal medicine.

Responsibilities

• Assists the CNO in providing strategic and operational leadership to nursing services, ensuring quality patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction.
• Supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing standards, policies, and procedures to align with evidence-based practice and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary leadership to align nursing goals with hospital objectives and organizational strategy.
• Supports preparation for accreditation surveys and ensures compliance with The Joint Commission, CMS, and other regulatory requirements.
• Creates and supports initiatives that foster a positive work environment and encourage recruitment and retention of high-performing nursing professionals.
• Represents nursing services in committees, community events, medical staff meetings, and board of director meetings as requested.
• Maintains visibility in clinical areas to monitor quality of care, support staff, and engage with patients and families.
• Develops leadership, operational, and clinical acumen necessary to advance to a Chief Nursing Officer position within the network.
• Performs other duties as assigned, maintains regular and reliable attendance, and complies with all policies and standards.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervision and Staff Management:
  • Provides leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for departmental staff.
  • Schedules employees to ensure effective use of resources and consults with leadership on staffing issues.
  • Conducts performance evaluations, sets goals, and provides feedback to staff on their performance and development.
• Strategic Planning and Financial Oversight:
  • Collaborates with hospital leadership to set the strategic direction for the department, including budgeting, resource allocation, and long-term planning.
  • Monitors expenditures, ensuring cost-effective delivery of services.
  • Evaluates and implements new technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Develops and implements departmental policies, procedures, and protocols to optimize quality and overall efficiencies.
• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance:
  • Ensures compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies and may oversee the accreditation process with relevant agencies.
  • Participates in audits, inspections, and accreditation processes as applicable.
  • Follows established quality control practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, and safety.
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Works closely with leadership teams to coordinate and improve service delivery.
  • Stays up-to-date with industry advancements, new technologies, and regulatory changes.
• Staff Responsibilities:
  • May work in a staff role when required, ensuring duties and responsibilities are fulfilled while meeting all competencies established for that job.

Requirements

• Master's Degree required.
• 2 years of director-level experience preferred.
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required.

Skills

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and manage cross-functional relationships.
• Foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Effective communication with leadership, team members, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with others, delegate responsibilities, and independently manage tasks while meeting established deadlines.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• In-depth knowledge of industry best practices and regulatory compliance.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency with Google and Microsoft platforms, healthcare software systems, and data analysis tools.

As part of the CNO Development Program, this position will require relocation outside of Laredo, TX within an acceptable timeframe for promotion/transfer.