Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Chief Nursing Officer

Nursing Administration

Education/Experience

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
required.

Master’s Degree in Nursing or related
filed required.

Five years nursing experience; three
years of management/supervisory
experience required.

Licensure/Certification

Current Georgia License as a
Registered Nurse.

BCLS provider obtained within six
months.

Certification in Nursing Administration
preferred.

Reports to Chief Executive Officer

Provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients of the indicated ages:
_____ Infants (Newborn to One Year)  _____ Adolescent (Ten to 18 Years)
_____ Toddlers (Two to Four Years)     _____ Adult (19 to 69 Years)
_____ Child (Five to Nine Years)          _____ Geriatric (70 and Above)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish clinical goals and objectives which are consistent with hospital mission and interdepartmental
objectives.
• Reviews goals monthly and addresses in monthly report.
• Ensures clinical compliance with regulatory agencies and all accrediting bodies of the organization.
• Develops an operating budget and capital expenditure plan.
• Reviews financial results monthly; compares to budget and takes corrective actions regarding
unfavorable variances.
• Maintains appropriate levels of supplies/inventory.
• Selects equipment consistent with goals/budget.
• Processes departmental payroll accurately and timely.
• Ensures that departmental charges are input accurately and timely.

• Establishes policies, procedures, various records and contracts: Administrative, Infection Control, Safety, Interdepartmental, Department – Specific:

• Ensures that employees are well informed.

• Delegates and coordinates departmental workflow for optimum efficiency.
• Develops working schedules for the Assistant Director of Nursing (AD) role, Resource Pool Nurses,
Virtual RN nurses using the approved electronic scheduling program.
• Steps in to cover nursing supervisor (AD) shifts when needed.
• Shares control with employees and others as related to the outcome of services provided by the
department.
• Oversees all nurse managers within the organization including Emergency Department, ICU, Med/Surge,
Operating Room, Infection Control, Clinical Quality, Clinical Education, and any additional departments
as assigned by the CEO.
• Seeks to constantly improve processes resulting in increased effectiveness and efficiency.
• Develops job descriptions and measurable performance standards; reviews and revises as needed.
• Finds an improvement opportunity. Organizes a multidisciplinary team who is familiar with the
problem.
• Proactively shares information with employees regarding mission, values goals, progress, trends,
experiments, successes and failures.
• Proactively shares with administration information that could affect employees’ morale, motivation and
ability to contribute to the organization.
• Provides input at Department Manager meetings and other committee meetings as assigned.
• Recruits, interviews, selects, hires and orients employees to fill vacancies in the department.
• Facilitates the hiring process by thorough, accurate and timely submission of paperwork.
• Monitors staffing levels and recommends adjustments to assure that customers’ needs are met.
• Runs efficient meetings which do not waste time.
• Manages group dynamics to encourage participation by all and use of all talents.
• Recognizes and rewards team cooperation, efforts and results.
• Acts proactively rather than reactively as evidenced by taking the initiative to solve problems before
they become major crises.
• Responds to suggestions of others with optimism and an eye to visionary possibilities rather than with
pessimism and negativity.
• Consistently treats employees as a customer rather than a resource which is expendable as evidenced
by low turnover.
• Displays a high motivation to work with all employees to achieve the goals of the department and
hospital.
• Strives to coach employees rather than reprimand.
• Encourages and provides for employee education/training opportunities which will have a direct effect on employee performance.
• Accurately and realistically evaluates employees based on job descriptions and performance standards.
• Submits evaluations to Human Resources on or before annual review date or end of probationary
period.
• Participates in evaluating, selecting and integrating healthcare technology and information management
systems that support patient care needs and the efficient utilization of nursing resources.

• Develops hospital-wide patient care programs, policies and procedures that describe how the nursing
care needs of patient or patient populations are assessed, evaluated and met.

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Infant (Newborn-One Year)
• Provides protective environment; does not leave unattended.
• Assesses and interprets data relative to patient’s age.
• Involves parents in administration and planning of care.
• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Determines and documents head circumference.
• Evaluates and documents for signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Determines and documents immunization status.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to cues that indicate infant is overstressed and initiates appropriate soothing
measures.
• Prepares and administers medications based on weight, age and sensitivity.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.
• Assesses nutritional status according to age; intervenes if appropriate.

Toddler (2 to 4 Years)
• Assesses and interprets data relative to patient’s age.
• Involves parents in administration and planning of care.
• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Evaluates and documents for signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Determines and documents immunization status.
• Prepares and administers medications based on weight, age and sensitivity.
• Involves child in own care when possible.
• Recognizes comprehension level and verbal ability.
• Speaks and plays with the toddler to effectively reduce stress.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.
• Assesses nutritional status according to patients age; intervenes if appropriate.

Child (5 to 9 Years)
• Assesses and interprets data relative to patient’s age.
• Involves parents in administration and planning of care.
• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior motor skills and physiological norms.
• Evaluates and documents for sign/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Determines and documents immunization status.
• Prepares and administers medications based on weight, age and sensitivity.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.
• Recognizes child’s need to exercise some control.

• Provides for privacy.

• Assesses for non-verbal needs for support.
• Keeps an explanation short, simple and logical using correct terminology.
• Anticipates possible need for homebound education.
• Recognizes the child’s need for independence and potential for being attracted to dangerous situations.
• Assesses nutritional status according to age; intervenes if appropriate.

Adolescent (10 to 18 Years)
• Assesses and interprets data relative to patient’s age.
• Evaluates for age appropriate behavior, skills and physiological norms.
• Evaluates and documents for signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Determines and documents immunization status.
• Prepares and administers medication based on weight, age and sensitivity.
• Provides equipment specific to patient’s age and size.
• Involves patient in decision making and planning for care and teaching.
• Allows for privacy and anticipates fear of embarrassment.
• Uses proper medical terminology.
• Allows adolescent to maintain control and realizes there may be resistance.
• Encourages questions regarding “fears”.
• Evaluates self-care abilities/limitations and identifies need for additional safety measures.
• Assesses nutritional status according to age; intervenes if appropriate.

Adult (19 to 69)
• Evaluates self-care abilities/limitations and identifies need for additional safety measures.
• Assesses and interprets data relative to patient’s age.
• Evaluates and documents for signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Prepares and administers medication based on weight, age and sensitivity.
• Provides equipment specific to size of patient.
• Involves patient in planning of care and educational needs.
• Recognizes anxiety regarding potential changes in lifestyle resulting from illness.
• Addresses patient appropriately.
• Explains procedures using correct terminology.
• Recognizes patient’s level of psychosocial development and modifies interventions accordingly.
• Provides for patient’s privacy.
• Respects patient’s right to refuse treatment.
• Assesses nutritional status according to age; intervenes if appropriate.

Geriatric (70 Years and Older)
• Evaluates self-care abilities/limitations and identifies need for additional safety measures.
• Evaluates and documents for signs/symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Assesses and interprets data relative to patient’s age.

• Prepares and administers medications based on weight, age and sensitivity.

• Provides equipment specific to size of patient.
• Recognizes anxiety regarding potential changes in lifestyle resulting from illness.
• Addresses patient appropriately.
• Explains procedures using correct terminology.
• Provides for patient privacy.
• Respects patient’s right to refuse treatment.
• Recognizes patient’s level of psychosocial development and modifies interactions accordingly.
• Assesses for limiting conditions (vision, hearing, elimination, etc.).
• Implements skin integrity and/or risk to fall protocols.
• Provides for patient warmth due to decreased heat regulation.
• Allows patient to discuss thoughts and plans related to death and dying.
• Assesses nutritional status according to age; intervenes if appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to review, analyze and interpret managed care contracts, billing guidelines, and state and federal
regulations.
• Financial analysis application skills, including database development and report generation.
• Advanced Excel skills required.
• Well-developed, formal presentation skills.
• Comfort in presenting to and interacting with senior levels of hospital management and with physician
leaders.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong time management, attention to detail, and follow through.
• Well-developed research skills.
• Ability to compile, code and categorize, or verify information/data
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situation
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, with excellent verbal and written communication skills

Other Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Professional Requirements

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services as needed.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• Must have the cognitive ability to perform in this role. Critical and executive level thinking is required
• Must have strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate
significant amounts of information with high-level attention to detail and accuracy
• Have near normal hearing – able to hear alarms/telephone/ normal speaking voice/ webinars
• Have near normal vision – clarity of vision (both near and far) either corrected on non-corrected, ability
to distinguish colors
• Have good manual dexterity and eye-hand-foot coordination
• Sitting – continuously within the shift (55-90%)
• Standing – frequently within the shift (30-50%)
• Walking – frequently within the shift (30-50%)
• Climbing – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)
• Bending/stooping – frequently within the shift (34-66%)
• Twist at the waist – occasionally with the shift (1-33%)
• Pushing/pulling – frequently within the shift (34-66%)
• Lift/carry – 20lbs with assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)
• Reaching above the shoulders – frequently within the shift (34-67%)
• Lift/carry – 50lbs with assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

jessica.blalock@stephenscountyhospital.com