Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) – Behavioral Health

Taphealthcare; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Taphealthcare is seeking an experienced Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for behavioral health in Tucson, Arizona. The CNO will lead nursing operations, ensuring high standards of patient care and staff development.

This role offers competitive compensation of approximately $130,000 to $160,000 annually based on experience. The ideal candidate has extensive inpatient psychiatric experience and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum six years of Registered Nurse (RN) experience required.
• Two years of behavioral health nursing experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting required.
• Three years of progressive nursing leadership experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee nursing services ensuring patient care and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and development of nursing personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Operational management

Clinical team management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in Nursing or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

Job description

Position Overview

Tap Healthcare Solutions is seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) – Behavioral Health to lead nursing operations for a behavioral health organization in Tucson, Arizona. This executive leadership role is responsible for overseeing all nursing services, ensuring high standards of patient care, regulatory compliance, staff development, and operational excellence within an inpatient behavioral health environment.

The CNO will collaborate closely with executive leadership, physicians, and multidisciplinary teams to build a strong clinical culture, improve patient outcomes, and support organizational growth initiatives. This position offers competitive compensation ranging from approximately $130,000 to $160,000 annually based on experience and the opportunity to lead within a mission-driven behavioral health setting.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master's degree in Nursing or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing strongly preferred.
• Minimum of six (6) years of Registered Nurse (RN) experience required; 10+ years preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of behavioral health nursing experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive nursing leadership or administrative nursing experience required.
• Previous experience as a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or Director of Nursing (DON) strongly preferred.
• Nursing leadership experience within a freestanding psychiatric hospital strongly preferred.
• Ability to oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and development of nursing personnel.
• Willingness and ability to provide direct patient care support when needed.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a strong behavioral health nursing leader with extensive inpatient psychiatric experience and a proven ability to lead clinical teams in a fast-paced healthcare environment. Successful candidates will demonstrate excellent leadership, communication, and operational management skills while fostering a culture centered on patient safety, clinical excellence, and compassionate care.

Leadership Expectations

We are seeking a strategic and collaborative executive leader who can:

• Lead and develop high-performing behavioral health nursing teams.
• Support clinical excellence, patient safety, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Drive staff engagement, retention, and professional development.
• Build strong relationships with physicians, staff, and executive leadership.
• Support operational efficiency and quality improvement initiatives across nursing services.

Why Join Through Tap Healthcare Solutions?

Tap Healthcare Solutions partners with healthcare organizations to connect experienced nursing executives with opportunities that support leadership growth and exceptional patient care.

This role provides the opportunity to lead behavioral health nursing operations while making a meaningful impact on patient outcomes and organizational success.