Chief Nursing Officer - Springfield, MO

Lead the Future of Behavioral Healthcare

We are seeking an experienced, mission-driven Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) to lead all nursing and clinical services for our behavioral health hospital. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will shape clinical strategy, elevate quality, drive regulatory excellence, and create a culture where patients and staff thrive.

This role offers the rare opportunity to combine clinical leadership, operational authority, and executive influence in a fast-growing healthcare organization committed to compassionate, high-quality psychiatric care.

What You’ll Do

As Chief Nursing Officer, you will oversee all nursing and clinical services across the hospital and ensure excellence in patient care, safety, compliance, staffing, and performance improvement.

Strategic & Clinical Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of all nursing and clinical programs

• Establish patient-focused, team-based care models across medical, nursing, and therapy departments

• Drive a culture of safety, accountability, and exceptional clinical outcomes

• Serve as a voting member of hospital leadership bodies including Governing Body, Medical Executive Committee, Quality Council, Ethics, and Infection Control

Operational & Staffing Oversight

• Direct 24/7 nursing operations through ADONs and House Supervisors

• Ensure proper staffing levels based on census and acuity

• Reduce agency use while maintaining high-quality staffing

• Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain top nursing leaders and staff

• Build leadership capability in Nurse Managers and Supervisors

Regulatory & Accreditation Excellence

• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, Medicare, OSHA, and State standards

• Integrate psychiatric and rehabilitation nursing standards into daily operations

• Lead all nursing readiness for audits, surveys, and regulatory reviews

Quality, Risk & Performance Improvement

• Lead hospital-wide nursing quality and performance improvement programs

• Monitor trends, risk events, and outcome data

• Implement corrective actions and improvement plans

• Ensure timely reporting to corporate and regulatory bodies

Infection Control Leadership

• Oversee surveillance, reporting, prevention, and education related to infections

• Partner with public health agencies and physicians

• Ensure antibiotic stewardship and infection prevention standards are met

Community, Marketing & Referral Support

• Partner with Business Development to grow referral relationships

• Support marketing and outreach efforts

• Ensure outstanding guest relations and facility presentation

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Active, unrestricted RN license (state or compact)

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (Master’s preferred – psychiatric or related field)

• 5+ years of nursing leadership, preferably in behavioral or psychiatric healthcare

• Strong knowledge of hospital regulatory and accreditation standards

• CPR & Handle With Care certification (or ability to obtain within one week of hire)

Ideal Candidate

You are a confident healthcare executive who can:

• Lead high-performing teams

• Interpret complex clinical and operational data

• Drive accountability and excellence

• Communicate effectively with physicians, staff, families, and regulators

• Thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven hospital environment

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a leadership team that:

• Values clinical excellence and compassionate care

• Invests in professional development and leadership growth

• Is committed to improving mental health outcomes in the community

• Gives you real authority to shape clinical practice and patient care

Apply Today

If you are a visionary nursing leader ready to make a meaningful impact in behavioral healthcare, we want to hear from you.

Apply now to lead, inspi