Responsible for overseeing all aspects of nursing care in a psychiatric facility, including planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating clinical operations. This position leads inpatient and outpatient units and defined ancillary departments, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and patient-centered care. The CNO drives strategic initiatives, manages staffing and budget, and fosters an environment of continuous clinical improvement.

• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and accrediting regulations, including CMS and TJC.
• Maintain survey readiness and regulatory compliance.
• 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.

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). Skilled in policy application. Knowledge of Business Office Standards and Recommended Practices.

Manage the work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work. Responsible for hiring, terminating, training, developing, and administering corrective action. Oversees performance reviews and ensures quality standards.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) required. Master’s degree in Nursing, Business, or related health science preferred.
Experience: Minimum 3 years of clinical leadership experience, including psychiatric/mental health nursing.
Licenses: Active RN license in applicable state required.
Certifications: Preferred: NE-BC, CENP, PMH-BC

• 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

Business Mathematical Skills — Ability to compute ratios, percentages, and interpret graphs.

Advanced Computer Skills — Proficient with complex functions in spreadsheets, presentations, and databases.

Organizational Communication — Handles complex, broad-based communications across the organization. Capable of motivating and influencing diverse stakeholders.

Organizational Impact — Decisions affect the strategy and operations of the behavioral health division.

Varied Business Problems — Requires interpretation and analysis to develop strategic solutions.

Functional Independent Judgment — Sets goals and priorities. Makes decisions that impact the functional area and advises on policies and programs.

Moderate — Manages multiple projects with moderate complexity.

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. Vision requirements include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

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.

Travel: Moderate overnight travel (up to 30%) by land and/or air.