CNO/COO

JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Nursing Officer / Chief Operating Officer (CNO/COO) to join Melissa Memorial Hospital (MMH), a highly regarded 15-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Holyoke, Colorado. Recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 100 Best Places to Work, MMH is committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care to its rural community. 

MMH provides a full continuum of services including a 24/7 Emergency Department, inpatient care, surgical services, RHC, family practice and specialty clinics, as well as laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, therapy, and additional support services. The hospital operates with a strong sense of community and is guided by its core values of integrity, collaboration, courage, service, passion, and ownership.   

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this role serves as a key member of the executive leadership team with responsibility for the overall direction of nursing services and hospital operations. The CNO/COO will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality care while driving operational efficiency, workforce engagement, financial performance, and long-term organizational sustainability. 

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, visible leader who excels in building strong relationships with physicians, staff, leadership, and the community. This role requires a balance of clinical expertise and operational leadership, with accountability for improving patient outcomes, optimizing staffing and workflows, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting strategic growth in a rural healthcare environment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Leadership

• Provide executive leadership aligning clinical and operational strategies with organizational goals. 

• Serve as a key partner to the CEO and Board in advancing performance and long-term sustainability. 

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement. 

• Build strong relationships with physicians, staff, leadership, and community stakeholders. 

Nursing & Clinical Operations

• Provide oversight for all nursing and patient care services across the organization. 

• Ensure delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based care. 

• Establish and maintain clinical standards, competencies, and nursing best practices. 

• Lead initiatives to improve patient outcomes and nursing-sensitive indicators. 

Operational Oversight

• Direct day-to-day hospital operations, including inpatient, outpatient, RHC primary and specialty clinic, ED, surgical, and ancillary services. 

• Improve patient flow, throughput, and coordination across departments. 

• Optimize staffing models, scheduling processes, and resource utilization. 

• Implement efficient workflows and operational best practices. 

Financial & Performance Management 

• Partner with finance leadership to manage budgets, labor, and operational performance. 

• Monitor productivity, staffing levels, and cost efficiency. 

• Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational improvement. 

• Support financial sustainability in a Critical Access Hospital environment. 

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Critical Access Hospital, CMS, and regulatory standards. 

• Promote a culture of safety and high reliability. 

• Lead performance improvement initiatives focused on patient safety and quality outcomes. 

• Maintain continuous readiness for surveys and accreditation.

• in collaboration with director of quality.

Patient Experience & Community Engagement 

• Champion a patient-centered culture focused on service excellence. 

• Improve patient satisfaction and experience metrics. 

• Engage with community members and stakeholders to support trust and access to care. 

Workforce Development

• Lead recruitment, retention, and workforce engagement strategies. 

• Develop leadership pipelines, onboarding, and competency programs. 

• Reduce reliance on agency/travel staff through sustainable staffing models. 

• Foster a culture of professional growth, accountability, and teamwork. 

Strategic Growth

• Support service line development and operational innovation. 

• Identify opportunities to expand services and improve access to care. 

• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and organizational growth. 

COMPETENCIES:

• Support MMH vision and mission.
• Maintain confidentiality of all work information.
• Demonstrate an ability to function successfully in a team environment.
• Exhibit courteous, compassionate, and respectful treatment of internal and external customers.
• Displays a positive attitude and flexibility in changing situations.
• Participates in identifying problems and suggesting solutions.
• Report any compliance issues as designated in the MMH Compliance Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

       MINIMUM

• Master’s or Doctorate (MSN, MHA, MBA, or DNP) 

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license or ability to obtain Colorado licensure 

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required 

• Minimum of 10 years progressive healthcare leadership experience 

• Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role (CNO, COO, VP, or equivalent) 

• Strong knowledge of:  

• Critical Access Hospital operations 

• Clinical quality and patient safety 

• Regulatory compliance and accreditation 

• Hospital operations and staffing models 

  PREFERRED

• Bilingual preferred but not required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required

• Experience in rural healthcare or Critical Access Hospital settings 

• Experience leading both clinical and operational functions 

• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or Studer principles 

"This position will remain open until filled; however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis."

WHY WORK AT MELISSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL? 

At Melissa Memorial Hospital, we’re a family not just a healthcare provider serving patients, staff, and community with care and inclusion. Here’s why you’ll thrive here:

• Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Service, Collaboration, Ownership, Courage drive us.
• Mission: “Compassionate care, nurturing trust.”, Tagline: “Seek Health. Live Well.”
• Eastern Plains Heart: A tight-knit team delivering impactful care.
• Balance: Work-life support plus the tools to excel in your current role and help you grow!

WHAT WE OFFER: 

• 100% Employer paid Medical (Employee Only) 
• Dental and Vision insurance 
• Retirement Plans, with up to 3% employer match 
• Voluntary Group Benefits 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Gym Membership Discount 
• PTO, Paid Sick Time 
• Continuing Education Benefits 
• FSA 
• MASA Insurance 
• Eligibility for Student Loan Repayment  

MELISSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: 

Melissa Memorial Hospital is a 15-bed critical access hospital, located in Holyoke, Colorado. While being “rural” we are equipped for any situation. It is a model rural hospital with 1 operating room, surgical procedure room, 4 bay emergency room, and radiology including 64-slice CT scanner and mammography, MRI, ECHO, and Nuclear Medicine, along with other ancillary services. The hospital is co-located with a family practice clinic and retail pharmacy services. Other services include chemotherapy, general & orthopedic surgery, podiatry, cardiology, orthopedic surgery, progressive rehab services, and wound care. MMH operates a full-time EMS service and maintains a 24/7 AirLife Helicopter base. 

THE COMMUNITY: 

Holyoke is home to the Holyoke Dragons and is truly a “City of Pride and Progress.” Holyoke offers: 

From different coffee shops to different ethnic flavors, to a quick bite, the sweet small town of Holyoke has a handful of different restaurant options to choose from. 

Holyoke is based in Phillips County where there are four different rural towns in the county with two schools in the county. Holyoke, Amherst. Paoli, and Haxtun are all within the same county. Holyoke homes a historical museum with different artifacts of what has built Holyoke today. You will see the fields turn different colors throughout different seasons. Your wheat, corn, alfalfa, are some of the few cultivating growths that you will see around your area! If you enjoy hunting, there are plenty of opportunities for a good catch. You will discover that you can see the most beautiful sunsets and the clearest starry nights out in the rural areas. Come take a look at our beautiful little town in the Northeastern corner of Colorado. 

Click here for a List of Things to Do in Holyoke 

Melissa Memorial Hospital is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Salary : $145,000 - $185,000