JOB SUMMARYThe Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) serves as a senior executive leader responsible for the overall performance of nursing services across Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County and affiliated clinical sites as designated. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CNO ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centered care while maintaining accountability for nursing and assigned clinical operations, workforce effectiveness, and financial performance.
As a member of the executive leadership team, the CNO partners in advancing the hospital's strategic plan and strengthening organizational performance. This role provides leadership for the nursing and assigned clinical workforce and clinical practice environment while serving as a key advisor to the CEO and Board on nursing practice, practitioner and multi-disciplinary team collaboration, patient care delivery, and clinical workforce strategy and efficiency.
QUALIFICATIONSEducation- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
- Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field required (or obtained within three years of hire).
Certifications/Licenses- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing with the Wyoming State Board of Nursing required.
- Certification in Nursing Administration or related specialty preferred.
- Additional certifications (e.g., BLS, ACLS) as required by hospital needs.
Job Knowledge and Skills- Comprehensive knowledge of nursing practice, patient care delivery models, and evidence-based clinical standards across a variety of care settings.
- Strong understanding of healthcare operations, including regulatory and accreditation requirements, quality and patient safety standards, and hospital financial management.
- Demonstrated leadership ability to develop, engage, and retain a high-performing nursing workforce.
- Ability to analyze clinical, operational, and financial data to support decision-making, improve outcomes, and drive organizational performance.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage physicians, staff, leadership, board members, and community partners.
- Demonstrated commitment to patient safety, quality improvement, and the integration of evidence-based practices into clinical operations.
- Commitment to person-centered care and the ability to lead teams in creating a compassionate, respectful, and supportive environment for patients, families, and staff.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSGeneral:- Models and actively reinforces the hospital's mission, vision, values, and commitment to person-centered care, ensuring these principles guide leadership behaviors, decision-making, and the overall culture of the organization.
- Adheres to all hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Responds appropriately and effectively to emergency situations in accordance with hospital protocols.
- Demonstrates respect, trust, safety, confidentiality, and cooperation in all interactions with patients, families, physicians, and colleagues.
- Provides excellence in internal and external customer service and maintains a positive image of the hospital at all times.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Participation in administrator on call coverage is required.
Role-Specific:Operational Leadership & Performance- Provides strategic and operational leadership for all nursing services, ensuring alignment with the hospital's mission, vision, values, and commitment to person-centered care, while maintaining visibility and engagement in day-to-day nursing operations across departments.
- Oversees nursing and assigned clinical operations, including staffing models, workforce planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to support safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care across the organization.
- Leads nursing workforce initiatives, including recruitment, retention, engagement, performance management, and professional development, to ensure a stable, competent, and high-performing clinical team.
- Monitors clinical, operational, and patient experience data to identify opportunities for improvement and support decision-making aligned with organizational priorities.
Strategic Execution & Organizational Alignment- Leads the implementation of organizational strategic initiatives within nursing and assigned services and ensures Directors develop and execute annual operational goals that advance the hospital's mission, strengthen performance, and align with strategic priorities.
- Ensures effective communication and collaboration across departments, supporting coordinated, patient-centered care and seamless transitions between services and care settings.
- Collaborates with practitioners and interdisciplinary leaders to strengthen care delivery, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall patient and family experience across the continuum of care.
Clinical Integration, Quality & Compliance- Maintains accountability for nursing practice standards, ensuring clinical and technical care is delivered in accordance with evidence-based practice, regulatory requirements, and professional standards.
- Promotes the use of evidence-based practice, clinical research, and quality improvement initiatives to advance clinical care and ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes.
- Supports and advances patient safety initiatives, ensuring nursing services align with organizational expectations for quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Fosters proactive collaboration between Directors, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams to anticipate and resolve issues, support effective problem-solving, and ensure the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centered care.
- Integrate Team STEPPS into daily workflows to strengthen communication across interdisciplinary teams to enhance clarity, reduce errors, and promote a shared mental model that promotes patient safety.
- Lead/sponsor and participate in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives to continually elevate care standards and reduce harm, reflecting accountability and excellence.
Financial Stewardship, Resources & Leadership Presence- Maintains fiscal accountability for nursing services, including development and management of departmental budgets, monitoring financial performance, and ensuring effective stewardship of resources to support organizational sustainability.
- Provides intentional leadership, coaching, and development for Directors, ensuring clear expectations, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities while strengthening overall leadership effectiveness.
- Oversees the use of clinical systems and tools, including the electronic health record (EHR) and other healthcare technologies, to support accurate documentation, efficient workflows, and data-informed decision-making.
- Develops strong relationships and professionally represents the hospital in external partnerships and associations to strengthen performance, community relationships, and access to services.
