CNO/COO

## Description

**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
**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 mod