Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

About the role

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) oversees all nursing care aspects in a psychiatric facility, including clinical operations, patient care, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with state, federal, and accrediting regulations, including CMS and TJC.
• Develop and oversee nursing practices, policies, and procedures aligned with professional standards.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, medical staff, and governing bodies to shape hospital strategy.
• Oversee the Infection Prevention Plan and compliance with infection control standards.
• Develop and manage a nurse staffing plan to ensure adequate coverage.
• Lead the hospital's quality assurance program, including medical record audits, patient visits, and performance reporting.
• Supervise nursing staff performance and professional development.
• Direct comprehensive orientation and continuing education programs.
• Manage and present the annual nursing services budget.

Requirements

Position serves both internal co-workers and external clients, patients, and vendors. Access to and/or works with sensitive and/or confidential information. Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of healthcare regulatory and compliance (e.g., HIPAA).

Skills & Abilities

• Expertise in behavioral health
• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Knowledge of hospital operations, budget, and FTE oversight
• Collaborative team player with strong clinical judgment
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Effective communicator and public speaker
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills
• Mathematical Skills
• Business Mathematical Skills
• Communication Organizational Communication
• Handles complex, broad-based communications across the organization
• Motivates and influences diverse stakeholders
• Decision Making Organizational Impact
• Requires interpretation and analysis to develop strategic solutions
• Independent Judgment Functional Independent Judgment
• Sets goals and priorities
• Makes decisions that impact the functional area and advises on policies and programs
• Planning/Organization Moderate
• Manages multiple projects with moderate complexity
• Physical And Mental Demands
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit for extended periods, use hands, reach, climb stairs, balance, kneel, bend, or crawl.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Repetitive motion of the upper body required for extended computer use.
• Works in a well-lit, ventilated, and climate-controlled office environment.
• Some hospital environments may expose the employee to bloodborne pathogens, contagious illnesses, and biohazardous materials requiring safety precautions and PPE.
• Noise level is typical of an office or hospital setting.
• Moderate overnight travel (up to 30%) by land and/or air.