Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Position Context

RiverPeak Health is a newly developing hospital with no existing clinical staff at the time of hire. The CNO will play a central role in:

• Designing the nursing care delivery model

• Building staffing plans and recruitment strategies

• Establishing clinical policies, protocols, and workflows

• Supporting facility activation and go-live readiness

• Creating a culture of excellence in patient care and team engagement

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive leadership team

• Participate in organizational planning, service line development, and growth strategy

• Translate organizational goals into nursing and patient care strategies

• Engage with the Board and provide updates on quality, safety, and nursing operations

2. Clinical Quality & Patient Safety

• Establish and oversee systems to ensure high-quality, safe, patient-centered care

• Lead quality improvement and performance improvement initiatives

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and licensure standards

• Oversee infection prevention, patient safety, and clinical risk management

3. Nursing Operations

• Plan, organize, and direct all nursing and patient care services

• Develop and implement care delivery models across service lines

• Ensure appropriate staffing models to meet patient care needs

• Oversee patient flow, care coordination, and discharge planning processes

4. Organizational Build & Start-Up Execution

• Lead development of:

  • Nursing policies, procedures, and clinical protocols

  • Staffing plans, workforce models, and scheduling structures

  • Clinical workflows aligned with facility design and EHR implementation

• Partner with leadership on:

  • Equipment selection and clinical space planning

  • Go-live readiness and operational activation

• Support recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of all nursing staff

5. Workforce Development & Culture

• Maintain an active presence in clinical areas to support staff, reinforce standards, and stay closely connected to patient care delivery

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing nursing workforce

• Establish a culture of accountability, teamwork, and patient-centered care

• Promote professional development, education, and clinical competency

• Ensure strong employee engagement and retention strategies

6. Financial & Operational Stewardship

• Develop and manage nursing budgets and cost centers

• Monitor productivity, labor costs, and resource utilization

• Partner with CFOO to align clinical operations with financial performance

• Drive efficiency while maintaining high standards of care

7. Physician & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Partner closely with physicians and clinical leadership

• Facilitate strong interdisciplinary collaboration across departments

• Support provider relations, scheduling coordination, and care model alignment

8. Community & External Engagement

• Represent RiverPeak Health in the community as a clinical leader

• Build relationships with regional partners, education programs, and workforce pipelines

• Support outreach and growth of clinical services

Leadership Philosophy & Expectations

• Serve as a visible, approachable leader who is actively engaged in daily operations

• Foster a culture of servant leadership, teamwork, and shared accountability

• Demonstrate a willingness to work “elbow to elbow” with nursing staff, particularly during critical periods, staffing challenges, or go-live operations

• Maintain clinical credibility and connection to frontline care delivery

• Lead by example in professionalism, patient-centered care, and teamwork

Qualifications:

Required

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license (or eligibility for licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN)

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in nursing services

• Demonstrated experience in acute care hospital settings

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Nursing, Business/Healthcare Administration, or related field

• Prior experience as a CNO or senior nursing leader

• Experience in:

  • Hospital start-up, expansion, or major operational change

  • Rural healthcare settings

  • Regulatory readiness and accreditation processes

• Demonstrated leadership style that includes hands-on engagement with frontline teams

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong clinical and operational leadership skills

• Deep knowledge of nursing practice, patient care delivery, and regulatory standards

• Ability to lead quality improvement and patient safety initiatives

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Ability to manage complex, fast-paced, and evolving environments

• Financial and operational acumen related to healthcare delivery

Working Conditions

• Hospital and clinical care environment

• Participation in leadership and Administrator-on-Call rotations

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a start-up healthcare environment

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Responsibilities may be adjusted as organizational needs evolve.