CNO/COO

Melissa Memorial Hospital•Holyoke, CO

10d•$145,000 - $185,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Master’s or Doctorate (MSN, MHA, MBA, or DNP)
Current Registered Nurse (RN) license or ability to obtain Colorado licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
Minimum of 10 years progressive healthcare leadership experience
Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role (CNO, COO, VP, or equivalent)
Strong knowledge of: Critical Access Hospital operations
Strong knowledge of: Clinical quality and patient safety
Strong knowledge of: Regulatory compliance and accreditation
Strong knowledge of: Hospital operations and staffing models

Nice To Haves

Bilingual preferred but not required.
Experience in rural healthcare or Critical Access Hospital settings
Experience leading both clinical and operational functions
Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or Studer principles

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.