Chief Nursing Officer

Job Description: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Reports To:  Chief Medical Officer 

Position Summary: The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at DePaul Community Health Centers will oversee the Nurse Care Managers, Health Coaches and Clinical Applications Analyst ensuring that the team delivers exceptional patient care while complying with all safe practices. The individual fulfilling this role will lead by example and inspire their team.  The CNO will play a crucial role in shaping health services at DePaul Community Health Centers, focusing on quality improvement, risk management, associate development, and patient satisfaction. This role requires close collaboration across service lines to ensure comprehensive patient care is achieved.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management:

  • Provide strategic leadership and direction for Health Coaches, Nurse Care Managers and Clinical Application Analyst, Lead Medical Assistants

  • Manage the care team including hiring, training, evaluation, and professional development

  • Foster a collaborative, empowering work environment that upholds the DePaul Community Health Centers mission and values

• Clinical Oversight:

  • Coordinate and facilitate regular clinical breakout meetings, prepare agendas and topics for the session

  • Provide training, education, and monitoring to the: 

    • Lead Medical Assistants

    • Health Coaches

    • Nurse Care Managers

    • Care Management - Chronic Illness Care

• Regulatory Compliance:

  • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal healthcare regulations and standards.

  • Keep abreast of changes in healthcare laws and regulations that impact healthcare practices.

  • Prepare the health center for HRSA site visits, PCMH audits and ensure all documentation meets required standards

• Quality and Standards of Care:

  • Participate and lead quality improvement initiatives

  • Work with clinical teams to meet quality improvement targets

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate policies and procedures that reflect best practices and  standards of care

  • Identify and implement new technologies that promote better patient care and a safer and efficacious work environment

  • Collaborate with the Quality Team, Operations Managers and Clinical Leads on quality improvement initiatives 

  • Uphold high standards of care and enforce adherence to evidence-based practices

  • Update QA/QI Plan, policies, calendar, meeting minutes

  • Oversee the maintenance of Clinical Guidelines, Protocols, Policies

  • Collaborate with the Compliance Officer on preparation for HRSA site visits and documents

  • Prepare information for annual Uniformed Data System (UDS)

• Communication and Collaboration:

  • Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and community partners

• Risk Management activities and functions

  • Participate and lead all risk management initiatives and meetings

  • Infection Control, Hand Hygiene, Sterilization

  • PPE, Sharps, Injections

  • Medication / Vaccine Management

  • Mock Codes / CPR, emergency preparedness

  • Incident Reports, investigations, patient complaints [clinical]

  • Tracking - labs [HIV/STI/TB, Cancer)

• Certifications:

Guide the organization through the processes of acquiring and maintaining certifications for the following:

• NCQA - PCMH

• American Diabetes Association Recognition Program

• Strategic Planning:

  • Collaborate with other healthcare leaders to develop strategic plans that align with the clinic’s goals.

  • Assess and respond to community health needs by adjusting services and practices as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Preferred Master’s degree in Nursing or Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Administration, or related field.

• Current registered nurse (RN) license.

• Minimum of 7 years of nursing experience with progressive leadership responsibilities

• Deep understanding of clinical practices and regulatory requirements in a healthcare setting

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a care team

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Detail-oriented with a commitment to providing high-quality patient care

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven leadership and organizational skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with various healthcare professionals

• Commitment to continuous professional development and innovation in nursing practice

• Ability to lead projects to on-time completion

• Outstanding interpersonal and conflict resolution skill

• Ability to function well in a high-paced environment