Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) – Salisbury, MD

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital

Full-Time | Onsite

Position Summary

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is a senior executive leader responsible for the overall clinical excellence, operational performance, and strategic direction of nursing and patient care services within an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The CNO ensures the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the CEO, medical leadership, and interdisciplinary teams, the CNO plays a critical role in advancing clinical outcomes, regulatory compliance, staff engagement, and organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Quality Leadership

• Provide executive oversight of all nursing and clinical care services, ensuring compliance with state, federal, and accreditation standards (e.g., CMS, Joint Commission, CARF).
• Lead quality improvement initiatives focused on patient safety, outcomes, and experience in the inpatient rehabilitation setting.
• Ensure evidence-based practice standards across nursing and interdisciplinary care teams.

Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement nursing strategies aligned with the hospital’s mission, goals, and long-term growth plans.
• Oversee staffing models, productivity, and workforce planning to support high-quality care and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with finance and executive leadership on budget development, resource allocation, and cost management.

People & Culture

• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing nursing and clinical leaders.
• Foster a positive, engaged, and accountable nursing culture focused on teamwork, professional development, and excellence in care.
• Serve as a mentor and coach to nurse leaders and clinical managers.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Partner with physicians, therapy leaders, case management, and support services to ensure coordinated, patient-centered rehabilitation care.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across all disciplines.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure readiness for surveys and audits and maintain ongoing compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Lead policy development and implementation related to nursing practice and clinical operations.

Qualifications

Required

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of inpatient rehabilitation hospital or hospital acute care as a nursing leader managing large teams
• Prior experience in inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, or post-acute care settings strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and clinical operations.

Preferred

• Experience in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or specialty post-acute setting.
• Knowledge of CARF accreditation and CMS Conditions of Participation.
• Strong financial, operational, and data-driven decision-making skills.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and systems-level thinking
• Strong clinical judgment and accountability
• Collaborative and transparent leadership style
• Ability to lead change and drive performance improvement
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

Work Environment

• Full-time, onsite executive leadership role within an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.
• Requires presence across clinical units and active engagement with staff and leadership teams.

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