Chief Nursing Officer

The CNO contributes to fulfilling the organization’s mission and strategic initiatives by providing leadership, oversight, evaluation, and direction of all nursing functions and activities. Ensures adherence to safety policies/practices and the highest degree of quality patient care. Collaborates with leadership, clinicians, management staff, outside organizations including hospitals and others to provide innovative approaches to care, as well as continuity of care and comprehensive services.

Responsibilities include:

• Effectively manages staffing levels at all sites, including development and deployment of strategies in emergency cases.


• Actively participates in training of nursing and medical assistant staff to maintain compliance with facility and state standards as well as designs and implements professional development plans/programs.


• Responsible for the management and supervision of nursing staff, Clinical Applications Specialist (EHR), and care management.


•  Works collaboratively with the CFO to prepare an annual department budgets and allocates resources to carry out programs and activities of the departments within areas of responsibility.


• Serves on the Leadership Team, Quality Management Committee, Safety & Compliance and other committees, task forces, and projects as appropriate.


• Responsible for administration and monitoring of standards, policies, and procedures for areas of responsibility.


• Directs the creation, implementation, and evaluation of medical support systems and procedures.


• Implements new programming related to improved clinical care and enhanced health outcomes and ensures smooth follow through in coordination with all team members.


• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates monthly financial and statistical information and productivity reports with Director of Nursing and Clinic Coordinators and makes necessary adjustments as appropriate.


• Manages clinical services with outside agencies and individuals appropriately and effectively.


• Establishes and monitors performance metrics.


• Works collaboratively to monitor and improve processes and outcomes of care and improve efficiency of the clinic staff.


• Works in conjunction with the Chief Quality and Compliance Officer (CQCO) in the pursuit of PCMH Recognition.


• Maintains continuing quality assessment and improvement analysis and evaluation of patient care delivery and communicates with Leadership Team on the activities/issues of nursing and patient care services.


• Works collaboratively with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Behavioral Health Officer (CBHO) in monitoring the clinical performance of the EHR.


• Performs other related duties as needed and as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience of clinical experience and 5 years progressive managerial experience is required. 


• Preferred experience within a primary healthcare ambulatory care setting. 


• Previous experience in performance improvement, developing and implementing new models of care, leading transformational change, and clinical operations. 

Educational Requirements:

Graduate of accredited school of nursing and BSN required; MS preferred.

Professional Licensure and Certification Required:

• Licensed as an R.N. by the MA Board of Registration. 


• BLS required.

• Computer skills for accurate data entry


• Demonstrated interpersonal relationship skills


• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills in English


• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced medical office environment

Supervision Exercised:

Responsible for the direct supervision of the Director of Nursing and all non-provider clinical personnel in the medical and Behavioral Health departments. 

Environmental Working Conditions:

The environment is a normal office environment of a busy Community Health Center.

Physical Requirements:

The physical and mental demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation.  Normal visual acuity and standard clerical dexterity to operate computers, printers, photocopiers, and fax machines; moderate walking, standing, reaching, and stooping in order to accomplish everyday office tasks required.  The ability to travel to local community meetings and all Health Centers. Ability to attend periodic meetings with Nurse Leaders at the Mass League.