Idaho Rural Healthcare COO Opportunities

Rural Staffing Services; Idaho; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Rural Staffing Services partners with rural hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations across Idaho to identify experienced operational leaders who understand rural healthcare.

We are actively connecting with senior executives for Chief Operating Officer and senior operations leadership opportunities across Idaho, including Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, and public hospital districts.

Qualifications

• Progressive healthcare operations leadership experience.
• Experience as a COO, VP of Operations, CAO, Administrator, or equivalent senior leader.
• Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, public administration, or related field; master’s preferred.
• Experience with budgeting, workforce planning, change management, and strategic implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple departments and service lines.
• Translate organizational goals into practical operating plans.
• Support efficient, safe, and patient-centered care delivery.
• Strengthen communication and accountability across departments.
• Improve workflows, productivity, and organizational performance.
• Partner with clinical and financial leaders on staffing, budgeting, and resource planning.
• Support recruitment, retention, and leadership development.

Skills

Healthcare operations leadership

C-suite leadership experience

Budgeting & workforce planning

Change management

Strategic implementation

Rural/CAH/FQHC exposure

Collaborative leadership style

Education

Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration / business / public administration

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Idaho Rural Healthcare COO Opportunities

Rural Staffing Services partners with rural hospitals, clinics, public hospital districts, and community healthcare organizations throughout Idaho to identify experienced operational leaders who understand the complexity and importance of rural healthcare.

We are currently connecting with senior healthcare executives who may be interested in active and upcoming Chief Operating Officer and senior operations leadership opportunities across Idaho.

These opportunities may include leadership within Critical Access Hospitals, rural and community hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, public hospital districts, long-term care organizations, and integrated rural healthcare systems.

This Is More Than a COO Role

In rural healthcare, the Chief Operating Officer helps turn strategy into action.

The COO often works across departments, teams, and service lines to strengthen operations, improve communication, support employees, and ensure the organization can continue meeting the needs of its community.

Rural operations leadership requires someone who can see the big picture while also understanding the realities of day-to-day care delivery. The strongest leaders are visible, collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working closely with executives, department leaders, medical staff, boards, and frontline employees.

Every operational decision can affect patient access, employee stability, financial performance, and community trust.

What You May Lead

Responsibilities will vary by organization and may include:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership across multiple departments and service lines
• Translating organizational goals into practical operating plans
• Supporting efficient, safe, and patient-centered care delivery
• Strengthening communication and accountability across departments
• Improving workflows, productivity, and organizational performance
• Partnering with clinical and financial leaders on staffing, budgeting, and resource planning
• Supporting recruitment, retention, and leadership development
• Overseeing facilities, support services, clinic operations, or ancillary departments
• Helping guide growth, restructuring, turnaround, or service expansion
• Supporting regulatory readiness, quality improvement, and organizational compliance
• Presenting operational updates and recommendations to executive leadership and governing boards
• Building strong relationships with employees, providers, community partners, and local leaders

What You Will Bring

Qualifications will vary by opportunity, but organizations may seek:

• Progressive healthcare operations leadership experience
• Experience as a COO, Vice President of Operations, Chief Administrative Officer, Administrator, Executive Director, or comparable senior leader
• Strong knowledge of hospital, clinic, or healthcare system operations
• Experience leading multiple departments or service lines
• A track record of improving performance, communication, and organizational effectiveness
• Experience with budgeting, workforce planning, change management, and strategic implementation
• Rural, Critical Access Hospital, public hospital district, FQHC, or community healthcare experience
• A bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business, public administration, or a related field
• A master's degree may be preferred for some opportunities
• A collaborative, visible, and relationship-focused leadership style

Why Rural Idaho?

Idaho's rural healthcare organizations serve communities surrounded by mountains, forests, farmland, rivers, lakes, and wide open spaces. These organizations are often among the most important employers and community resources in their regions.

Operational leadership in a rural setting offers the opportunity to make a direct impact, strengthen an entire organization, and help preserve healthcare access for the people who depend on it.

Work Where It Matters.