Chief Nursing Officer, (CNO)

Responsibilities

• Patient Experience & Clinical Excellence
• Organize programs, policies, and procedures to assess and meet the needs of patients across inpatient psychiatric services and outpatient programs
• Plan, supervise, and coordinate care delivered by RNs, LVNs, LPTs, and mental health workers
• Ensure clear, concise, and current clinical policies and procedures that minimize risk and support high-quality care
• Monitor patient experience metrics and lead improvement initiatives that elevate communication, responsiveness, and therapeutic outcomes
• Facilitate patient access to the appropriate level of care and setting
• Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and accreditation standards (e.g., CMS, Joint Commission)
• Implement and annually review standards of nursing practice in behavioral healthcare
• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts, including audits, dashboards, and corrective action plans
• Oversee documentation standards and evidence-based practice adoption to maintain high reliability
• Serve as executive sponsor for safety initiatives, including workplace violence prevention, de-escalation training, and safe staffing practices
• Ensure adherence to incident reporting and root cause analysis processes
• Collaborate with facility leaders on organization-wide performance improvement activities
• Workforce Engagement, Development & Appreciation
• Build a culture where staff feel respected, supported, and empowered to deliver exceptional care
• Lead recruitment, retention, and workforce development strategies, including mentorship and competency programs
• Promote shared governance and frontline involvement in decision-making
• Recognize and celebrate staff contributions through structured appreciation and transparent communication
• Recommend personnel policy modifications to ensure reasonable hours, safe working conditions, and adequate staffing coverage
• Leadership, Strategy, Finance & Organizational Influence
• Provide strategic leadership for nursing operations, aligning clinical priorities with organizational goals and financial stewardship
• Plan and assign staffing ratios based on patient needs, acuity, staff competency, and regulatory requirements
• Develop and manage nursing budgets, staffing models, and resource allocation
• Participate with the Governing Body, Management, Medical Staff, and Clinical Leaders in organizational decision-making
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Finance and service managers on budget planning for staffing, supplies, and equipment
• Ensure cost controls to maximize effectiveness of departmental budgets
• Recommend new facilities, equipment, or modifications needed to support patient care
• Maintain strong relationships with executive peers, physicians, community partners, and regulatory bodies
• Lead change management efforts that support innovation, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability
• Uphold the organization's ethics and customer service standards

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Psychiatric/Mental Health, or related field (Doctorate preferred)
• Five (5) years of prior experience in patient care services preferred; 7-10+ years of progressive nursing leadership experience in behavioral health or acute psychiatric settings strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success in regulatory compliance, staff engagement, and operational leadership
• Current and in good-standing, California Registered Nurse (RN) license
• Current BLS certification