Chief Nursing Officer

Taft Brown Associates is partnering with a leading behavioral health organization in its search for a Hospital Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

The Chief Nursing Officer is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of all nursing services within a psychiatric facility, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered mental health care. This individual oversees the planning, organization, direction, and evaluation of nursing operations across inpatient and outpatient units, as well as designated ancillary departments.

The CNO is accountable for nursing practice standards, clinical quality, regulatory compliance, staffing, professional development, and budget management. Working collaboratively with executive leadership, the medical staff, and other healthcare professionals, the CNO plays a critical role in advancing patient outcomes, strengthening clinical operations, and maintaining a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation: Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, CMS requirements, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, and other relevant accreditation requirements. Maintain ongoing survey readiness and ensure nursing practices, policies, and procedures align with current research and national professional standards.
• Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning: Actively engage with the hospital’s governing body, senior leadership, medical staff, clinical leaders, and the Health Support Center to contribute to key decisions and support the organization’s strategic direction.
• Nursing Operations & Staffing: Oversee nursing operations across inpatient and outpatient units and designated ancillary departments. Develop, implement, and manage nursing staffing plans to ensure appropriate coverage, efficient resource utilization, and high-quality patient care.
• Infection Prevention & Patient Safety: Oversee the Infection Prevention Plan and ensure compliance with applicable infection prevention and control requirements, including relevant TJC standards and monitoring processes.
• Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement: Participate in the development, implementation, analysis, and ongoing maintenance of the hospital’s quality assurance and performance improvement programs. Evaluate services, review medical records, conduct patient visits, analyze audits, prepare quality reports, and collaborate with hospital staff to improve clinical outcomes.
• Staff Supervision & Development: Directly supervise nursing staff and oversee performance evaluations, professional development, and accountability processes. Ensure systems are in place for regular assessment, constructive feedback, and continuous improvement.
• Education & Training: Develop and implement comprehensive nursing orientation, training, and educational programs that promote clinical competency, professional growth, and adherence to established standards of care.
• Budget & Financial Management: Develop, manage, and present the annual nursing services budget. Monitor staffing expenses, full-time equivalent (FTE) utilization, and resource allocation to support operational efficiency and quality patient care.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides direct supervision and leadership for nursing staff, including oversight of performance management, staffing, professional development, and adherence to clinical and organizational standards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Expertise in behavioral health and psychiatric nursing practices.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and team management skills.
• A solid understanding of hospital business operations, including budgeting, staffing models, FTE oversight, and resource management.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of healthcare professionals and executive stakeholders.
• A commitment to improving patient outcomes, promoting equitable care, and addressing disparities in behavioral health services.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other relevant healthcare and business technologies.
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and professional communication skills.
• Excellent listening skills, sound clinical judgment, and effective problem-solving abilities.
• The ability to manage complex issues, evaluate alternatives, and make informed decisions that support organizational goals.
• The ability to establish priorities, manage competing responsibilities, and lead initiatives that affect nursing operations and the broader behavioral health organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Master’s degree in nursing, business administration, or another appropriate postgraduate health science discipline preferred.

Experience

• Three or more years of clinical leadership experience and/or psychiatric or mental health nursing experience required.

Certifications

• Nurse Executive Board Certification (NC-BC), Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP), or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) preferred.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position requires access to and/or handling of sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of healthcare regulatory and compliance requirements, including HIPAA.
• Applies organizational policies, procedures, and applicable business office standards and recommended practices.
• Exercises sound independent judgment in establishing departmental goals, setting priorities, resolving operational challenges, and recommending improvements to policies, practices, and programs.
• Manages varied and complex operational issues requiring analysis, interpretation, and the application of clinical expertise, established practices, and organizational standards.
• Communicates complex information effectively with leadership, navigates sensitive situations professionally, and motivates others toward shared objectives.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining strong organizational effectiveness and operational oversight.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, results-oriented nursing executive with a strong background in behavioral health, a commitment to clinical excellence, and the ability to lead nursing teams while supporting the hospital’s broader operational and strategic objective