Primary Accountability: The Chief Clinical Officer is responsible for focusing on the clinical portion of administration to increase efficiency and ensure patient treatments are complying with internal policies, clinical protocols and regulatory requirements regarding safety and best practices. The Chief Clinical Officer is also responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating clinical activities within the facility, as well as overseeing the managers and staff of several departments and services.  Serves as the direct report for the following department heads: Nursing/Trauma/Emergency Department, Surgery, Pharmacy, Case Management & Discharge Planning, Utilization Review, Outpatient Services, Specialty Clinic, Respiratory, Radiology, and Laboratory.

Major Duties:

• Works in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, administrative team, direct reports and physician leadership, and is accountable for developing the joint strategic direction including budget, oversight of operations and performance, clinical quality and safety, access, patient experience and affordability.
• Plan, direct, and evaluate clinical operations across multiple departments to ensure alignment with strategic goals, quality benchmarks, and regulatory standards.
• Oversee the implementation of clinical programs and initiatives designed to improve patient safety, care quality, and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, as well as accreditation and certification standards, responding promptly to findings and recommendations.
• Drive continuous process improvement and innovation in clinical workflows, service delivery models, and patient care practices.
• Ensure clinical services meet or exceed expectations for access, convenience, timeliness, and patient satisfaction.
• Lead integration efforts across clinical, ancillary, and population health services to support coordinated, quality-based care.
• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, capital planning, clinical resource allocation, and facility-wide initiatives.
• Represent clinical departments in administrative meetings, board discussions, and system-wide committees.
• Actively participate in Risk Committee, QAPI Committee, Policy Committee, Safety Committee, and the Patient-Family Advisory council.
• Present clinical updates to Medical Staff and NCH Board of Trustees during monthly meetings.
• Oversee budget development and financial performance for clinical operations, ensuring effective use of resources while meeting quality objectives.
• Evaluate clinical service data to identify performance trends, develop improvement plans, and monitor outcomes.
• Identifies areas for improvement within clinical areas and facilitates change while promoting a positive attitude toward such change.
• Serve as a key liaison for department leaders to facilitate communication, coordinate resources, and provide input on policy development and conflict resolution within the hospital setting.
• Coordinate with community organizations and entities to facilitate partnership and advance hospital interests.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices and assists department heads in implementing guidelines into workflow.
• Suggest changes and assists department heads in submitting service tickets for EHR optimization.
• Participate in setting quality measures for clinical departments and facility and contribute to maintaining and enhancing quality standards and practices for NCH.
• Customer Service: Sets the tone and expectation for a positive patient experience in all Patient Services departments. Role model positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all patient interactions internal and external.

Personnel Management and Development Duties:

• Lead, mentor, coach and support clinical department directors, managers, and frontline clinicians to promote excellence in care and accountability in performance.
• Ensure proper staffing, workload distribution, and team structure across all clinical departments to support optimal patient outcomes and staff well-being.
• Provide strategic direction for recruitment, retention, and onboarding of clinical personnel, in alignment with workforce needs and goals.
• Create and maintain an environment of shared decision-making and professional collaboration among clinical teams.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, professional growth, and evidence-based practice.
• Identify leadership potential within clinical teams and support development through coaching, mentorship, and succession planning.
• Evaluate staff performance, implement professional development plans, and support educational partnerships with academic institutions.
• Uphold a positive and accountable workplace culture that values respect, transparency, patient-centeredness, and service excellence.
• Foster collaboration across departments to ensure seamless patient care and mutual support between clinical and non-clinical teams.
• Process timesheet additions and corrections, then review and submit approvals for payroll by applicable deadlines.
• Recruit, hires, orient, oversee, evaluate and, if necessary, discipline or terminate staff within the guidelines of the Hospital policies while ensuring appropriate documentation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or a related clinical field preferred
• Current clinical licensure (RN preferred) in the State of Kansas
• Five years of experience supervising multiple clinical departments, including nursing and at least two ancillary services (radiology, laboratory, respiratory therapy, or surgery) preferred
• Rural or Critical Access Hospital (CAH) experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience with clinical quality improvement, patient safety programs, budget and fiscal management, staff recruitment, retention, and workforce development and collaborate with medical staff, administration, and governing board.
• BLS, ACLS, PALS, and TNCC certifications preferred for RN, or able to get within 6 months of hire.