Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Lifepoint Health; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifepoint Health in Kentucky seeks a Chief Nursing Officer to oversee all nursing care across psychiatric services, directing clinical operations and strategic initiatives, ensuring compliant, patient-centered care.

The CNO will manage staffing, budget, quality programs, infection prevention, and education, collaborating with executive leadership to shape hospital strategy and improve outcomes for diverse patient populations.

Qualifications

• Must hold a BSN with active RN license.
• Minimum 3 years of clinical leadership experience in psychiatric/mental health.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory standards (CMS, TJC, HIPAA).

Responsibilities

• Oversee nursing care across inpatient/outpatient units.
• Lead staffing, budgeting, and regulatory compliance.
• Drive quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and medical staff.
• Direct orientation and professional development programs.

Skills

Behavioral health

Leadership

Budget oversight

Clinical judgment

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

BSN

MSN or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

TITLE: Chief Nursing Officer POSITION SUMMARY:

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

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

Skills and Abilities:

• 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

Mathematical Skills:

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

Computer Skills:

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

Communication:

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

Decision Making:

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

Nature of Problems:

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

Independent Judgment:

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

Planning/Organization:

Moderate - Manages multiple projects with moderate complexity.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

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.

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.