CNO/COO

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.