University of Arkansas System

Associate Chief Nursing Officer

University of Arkansas System$110K — $130K *
Hospitals & Medical Centers
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BSN and master's degree required in related field.
  • Current Registered Nurse License in Arkansas.
  • National certification relevant to the role required.
  • 5+ years of clinical, bedside experience in acute care nursing.
  • 10+ years in formal leadership/management roles in acute care, with 2+ in a director-level position.

Responsibilities

  • Lead nursing excellence as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer.
  • Ensure high-quality, patient-centered care in designated services like Med/Surg and Critical Care.
  • Drive strategic alignment with organizational initiatives such as ASPIRE33 and UAMS CARES.
  • Oversee compliance with regulatory standards and quality assurance measures.
  • Engage with interprofessional teams to promote effective collaboration and communication.

Benefits

  • Health insurance covering medical, dental, and vision for staff and families.
  • Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave.
  • Education discounts for staff and dependents.
  • Retirement matching contributions up to 10%.
  • Basic life insurance coverage up to $50,000.
Full Job Description
Closing Date:
10/02/2026
Type of Position:
Clinical Staff - Medical Services
Job Type:
Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No
Institution Name:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

UAMS offers amazing benefits and perks (available for benefits eligible positions only):
  • Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family
  • Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave
  • Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only)
  • Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS
  • Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000
  • Career Training and Educational Opportunities
  • Merchant Discounts
  • Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy


Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

Department:
ICE | NRSL Nursing

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:
UAMS seeks a visionary nursing leader to lead patient care excellence as the next Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO). The ACNO will partner with the Chief Nursing Officer to direct inpatient nursing and designated patient care services across Med/Surg, Critical Care, ADON/Workforce Optimization, and Oncology, ensuring high-quality, safe, patient-centered care within a financially responsible framework. This role drives strategic alignment with ASPIRE33 and UAMS CARES, supports Magnet recognition, and advances innovative clinical care delivery, patient experience, quality and safety, productivity, and growth.

To successfully lead in this role, you'll possess deep clinical expertise in acute care, proven transformational leadership, measurable outcomes in quality and safety, and a collaborative, inclusive leadership style that can unite medical and interprofessional teams toward shared strategic objectives.

If you are a visionary nursing leader ready to shape the next era of patient care at UAMS Health, we welcome you to apply!
Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:
  • BSN required. Master's degree in related field required.
  • Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
  • Current Registered Nurse License in the State of Arkansas.
  • National Certification relevant to the role required.
  • At least five (5) years of clinical, bedside experience in acute care (adult) nursing.
  • At least ten (10) years of formal leadership/management experience in an acute care setting comparable to hiring facility.
  • At least two (2) of the five (5) in a comparable and/or director-level role.


Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Advanced clinical knowledge of inpatient nursing practice across Med/Surg, Critical Care, and Oncology.
  • Expertise in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, performance measurement, risk management, and patient safety.
  • Strategic planning and execution aligned with organizational objectives (ASPIRE33, CARES, Magnet).
  • Financial acumen with experience managing budgets, staffing models, and resource optimization.
  • Change management, organizational development, and workforce optimization.
  • Interprofessional collaboration, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
  • Strong communication skills, including executive-level reporting, presentations, and patient/population-focused messaging.
  • Talent development, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
  • Data-driven decision-making, with the ability to interpret metrics and translate into actionable plans.


Additional Information:
Standard Duty Areas :

Communication and Relationship Management
  • Build and sustain effective relationships with key stakeholders and operational leaders, fostering trust and a shared commitment to organizational goals.

Leadership and Collaboration
  • Oversee nursing practice and interprofessional teams within Inpatient Operations; influence system-level improvements in patient care, quality, and safety; collaborate across departments to achieve strategic outcomes; participate in leadership structures and medical staff activities; ensure seamless patient flow and high reliability across inpatient areas.

Education, EBP and Research, QI
  • Promote evidence-based practice and interprofessional research; support quality improvement initiatives; provide a stimulating learning environment for nursing and interprofessional students.

May perform additional duties to advance the mission of UAMS Health.

Salary Information:
Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:
License or Certificate (see special instructions for submission instructions), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status
Special Instructions to Applicants:

Recruitment Contact Information:



All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Annual TB Screening, Criminal Background Check, Substance Abuse Testing

Constant Physical Activity:
Hearing
Frequent Physical Activity:
Feeling, Grasping, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting, Standing, Talking, Walking
Occasional Physical Activity:
Crawling, Crouching, Kneeling, Reaching, Stooping
Benefits Eligible:
Yes

About University of Arkansas System

The University of Arkansas System is a state university system in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It comprises six campuses; a medical school; two law schools; a graduate school focused on public service; a historically black college, statewide research, service, and educational units for agriculture, criminal justice, and archeology; and several community colleges. Over 50,000 students are enrolled in over 188 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Legally, the entire system carries the name University of Arkansas. Nonetheless, to avoid confusion with its flagship campus in Fayetteville, the system usually refers to itself as the University of Arkansas System and the Fayetteville campus usually refers to itself as the University of Arkansas.
Learn more about University of Arkansas System

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