Assistant Chief Nursing Officer

Job Summary and Qualifications

The Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) promotes high quality, patient-centered care by assisting the CNO in executive-level management of resources, strategic planning, and development. The ACNO has operational and functional responsibility for a group of patient care areas and/or special projects or initiatives.

• Assists CNO in formulating policies/procedures which are consistent with recognized standards of professional practice, and which reflect the intent of regulatory standards to maintain authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing services.
• Performs regular rounds on patients, families, employees, and physicians to enhance communication, ensure alignment, oversee operations, and foster an exceptional experience.
• Ensures continuous performance improvement initiatives are designed to measure and improve the quality of care delivered and are consistent with organization priorities.
• Ensures follow-up to patient complaints and occurrence reports is thorough and timely.
• Identifies system problems that may contribute to errors and monitors corrective actions to ensure effective resolution.
• Affirms accountability for promoting consistent, positive patient interactions that advance the agenda of unparalleled patient service.
• Maintains a patient-first philosophy and engages in service recovery when necessary.
• Serves as a role model for professional and ethical conduct and accountability.
• Fosters independence and autonomy in all staff members in areas of responsibility.
• Promotes activities which encourage independent thinking/problem-solving behaviors.
• Assists in providing leadership to nurse employees that will increase engagement, create ownership of goals, and encourage active participation in decisions impacting nurse practice.
• Assumes responsibility for continuing education and developmental needs for staff.
• Assumes the role of preceptor/instructor for undergraduate or graduate nursing students upon request.
• Collaborates with nursing educators to ensure that learning needs of the nursing staff are promptly identified and addressed, and that orientees receive the proper preparation to become independent practitioners.
• Works collaboratively with other patient care and support departments, fostering a climate of open communication and mutual problem-solving activities.
• Initiates and participates in joint performance improvement activities.
• Represents the nursing services at meetings as deemed necessary; participates with department leaders in designing and providing patient care and services.
• Participates in professional organizations and community healthcare-related organizations.
• Assists in planning new services that generate additional sources of profitable revenue.
• Actively participates with others in planning activities associated with design or implementation of renovation or new construction of patient care areas.
• Assumes primary responsibility for projects or task groups as assigned, keeping colleagues informed of the progress toward desired outcome.
• Assists in managing costs by continually seeking data that will identify opportunities and taking action to eliminate non-value costs.

Major Responsibilities

• Quality: Assists CNO in formulating policies/procedures which are consistent with recognized standards of professional practice, and which reflect the intent of regulatory standards to maintain authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing services.
• Service: Assumes accountability for promoting consistent, positive patient interactions that advance the agenda of unparalleled patient service. Maintains a patient-first philosophy and engages in service recovery when necessary. Supports the development and implementation of strategies to elevate the patient experience.
• People: Assumes responsibility for continuing education and developmental needs for staff. Assumes the role of preceptor/instructor for undergraduate or graduate nursing students upon request. Collaborates with nursing educators to ensure that learning needs of the nursing staff are promptly identified and addressed, and that orientees receive the proper preparation to become independent practitioners. Works collaboratively with other patient care and support departments, fostering a climate of open communication and mutual problem-solving activities. Initiates and participates in joint performance improvement activities. Develops and maintains close working relationships with physician colleagues and other healthcare providers in assigned areas. Collaborates with these individuals to set goals for these areas and to develop action plans for patient care or system improvements. Represents the nursing services at meetings as deemed necessary; participates with department leaders in designing and providing patient care and services.
• Growth: Assists in planning new services that generate additional sources of profitable revenue. Actively participates with others in planning activities associated with design or implementation of renovation or new construction of patient care areas. Assumes primary responsibility for projects or task groups as assigned, keeping colleagues informed of the progress toward desired outcome.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing* Required
• Master's Degree in Nursing or related healthcare field OR current enrollment in Master's program or equivalent Required
• 5+ years of experience in a supervisory nursing role Required
• 5+ years of experience in direct leadership in a hospital or patient care environment Required

Licenses, Certifications, Training

• Credential*: Required: Currently licensed as a registered professional nurse in the state(s) of practice and/or has an active compact license, in accordance with law and regulation.