Chief Nursing Officer

Highland Health and Rehabilitation•Bellingham, WA

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Highland Health & Rehabilitation is a 44-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community committed to delivering high-quality, person-centered care. We are seeking a confident, strategic, and relationship-driven Chief Nursing Officer to serve as the clinical leader and partner to the CEO, driving excellence in resident care, team development, and operational performance. This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role where you will directly shape clinical outcomes, team culture, and the overall resident experience.

Requirements

Active RN license in Washington (or ability to obtain)
3–5+ years of leadership experience in skilled nursing (CNO/DON/ADON level preferred)
Strong knowledge of CMS regulations, survey processes, and long-term care operations
Experience leading QAPI initiatives and driving clinical outcomes
A leader who builds trust, develops teams, and holds high standards
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Passion for delivering high-quality, person-centered care
Graduate of accredited school of nursing, BSN or MSN preferred.
Valid RN license in the state employed
Valid CPR certification
3-5 years successful experience as a Director of Nursing or equivalent position in long-term care facility preferred

Nice To Haves

DNS-CT or CDONA, optional
Valid driver’s license

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop nursing leaders and frontline staff
Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Oversee staffing strategy based on census, acuity, and budget
Ensure strong onboarding, clinical competencies, and ongoing education programs
Promote positive employee relations and high staff engagement
Drive person-centered, evidence-based care across the facility
Monitor clinical outcomes and lead quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) initiatives
Analyze trends, identify opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions
Ensure excellence in care planning, clinical documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration
Maintain a state of continuous survey readiness
Lead survey processes with confidence and structure
Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations and clinical standards
Oversee investigations, root-cause analyses, and plans of correction
Partner closely with the CEO as the clinical leader of the facility
Participate in budgeting, staffing models, and resource planning
Evaluate referrals to ensure clinical capability and appropriate admissions
Oversee equipment, supplies, and clinical resource utilization
Serve as acting operational leader in the CEO’s absence when needed
Champion resident rights, dignity, and safety
Promote strong communication with residents, families, and care teams
Support smooth transitions of care through effective discharge planning
Maintain visibility through daily rounds and engagement with staff and residents