What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) position at The CORE Institute?
At The CORE Institute, we are dedicated to taking care of you so you can take care of business with our robust benefits package.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership
- Develop and execute the nursing strategic plan in alignment with organizational goals and quality priorities.
- Drive operational excellence across all nursing units and clinical support departments.
- Lead initiatives to improve patient outcomes, care coordination, and clinical workflows.
- Identify opportunities for innovation in nursing care, technology, and patient experience.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Oversee and continuously improve patient safety, clinical quality metrics, and evidence-based practice.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards, including CMS, Joint Commission, Nursing Board and specialty-specific requirements.
- Chair or co-chair key committees, such as Quality, Patient Safety, Infection Prevention, and Nursing Leadership.
- Rounding for outcome: Influences improvement of collective results through a visible presence, engaging with processes, monitoring and building relationships.
- Knowledge of the principles and contemporary practice of hospital administration, nursing, and ancillary departments.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the development, coordination, and delivery of medical services in the inpatient and ambulatory environment.
- Knowledge of the principles of High Reliability Organizations (HRO)
- Knowledge of the principles of Shared Leadership (Professional Governance)
- Strong knowledge of ARRA, CAP, and Pharmacy Board.
- Knowledge of the healthcare marketing to include all musculoskeletal specialties.
- Basic knowledge of perioperative and department efficiency, AORN, SPD and ASPAN standards.
- Basic knowledge of ANCC Magnet ® Standards
Workforce & Culture
- Lead and partner with Human Resources on nursing recruitment, retention, training, performance management, and professional development programs.
- Promote a culture of accountability, shared governance, collaboration, and employee engagement.
- Oversee and partner with Human Resources on staffing models, workforce planning, competency programs, and leadership development for nurse managers.
Financial & Resource Management
- Manage nursing operational budgets, productivity, and resource allocation.
- Optimize efficiency while supporting high-quality, patient-centered care.
- Lead capital and technology planning related to nursing operations.
Collaboration & Communication
- Build strong partnerships with medical staff, department directors, and executive leadership.
- Lead interdisciplinary team efforts to enhance clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
- Ensure transparent communication across all nursing levels and care teams.
Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree required (MSN, MSHA, MBA, or related field).
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher-level nursing degree is required.
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing is required.
Requirements
- Current RN license in the State of Arizona required.
- Current certification in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) or Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC) is preferred.
- Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) membership preferred.
Experience
- Minimum 7–10 years of progressive nursing leadership experience in an acute care or specialty hospital setting.
- Demonstrated success advancing quality, safety, workforce engagement, and operational performance.
Preferred
- Experience in orthopedics
- Prior experience as a CNO, VP or Sr. Director
- Preferred:
- Experience in orthopedics
- Prior experience as a CNO, VP or Sr. Director
Leadership Competencies
- Strong strategic planning and execution skills.
- Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and team leadership abilities.
- Highly skilled in change management and performance improvement.
- Commitment to patient-centered, evidence-based care.
Key Attributes
- Collaborative and transparent leadership style.
- Strong advocate for nurses and frontline caregivers.
- Passion for delivering exceptional patient care.
- Data-driven decision maker with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to inspire, motivate, and empower high-performing teams.