CHIEF Nursing Officer

Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital and the healthcare anchor of Madison County, serving approximately 45,000 residents across Central New York. CMH provides emergency, inpatient, surgical, and ambulatory care with a genuine commitment to patient-centered, community-based medicine, and is known for a close, supportive, family‑like culture and a dedicated, tenured team. CMH is a high‑performing small hospital, not a turnaround. It earned a positive operating margin in 2025 , a genuine rarity for a rural Critical Access Hospital in New York, while achieving 5‑star CMS ratings, including for nursing communication . A recent major renovation delivered new single‑occupancy inpatient rooms, a new emergency department, and updated radiology, with OR modernization and expanded robotic surgery underway. CMH is located in Hamilton, New York, home to Colgate University and recognized by Forbes as one of the most welcoming towns in the country, offering the rare combination of meaningful clinical leadership impact and an exceptional quality of life. THE OPPORTUNITY This is a true executive leadership seat where nursing leadership directly shapes patient care, quality, and culture, in close partnership with the CEO and CMO. It is a moment of real momentum for CMH. An organization‑wide EMR implementation, OR modernization, and expansion of robotic surgery (into general surgery, GYN, and neurology) are all underway, giving the incoming CNO the opportunity to lead through meaningful transformation. We welcome accomplished nurse leaders ready for the chief role, including strong Directors and Senior Directors of Nursing seeking the next step, who can lead at the executive level and empower a capable team of nursing leaders beneath them. SCOPE & TEAM Nursing Team – 150 nursing staff; unionized workforce (187 union employees organization‑wide) Direct Leaders – Senior/Executive Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, ED Manager, OR Manager, Director of Education, nursing supervisors, and employee health Service Lines – Med/Surg (25 beds, incl. Special Care Unit), Emergency Department, Operating Room, and Ambulatory Services across the hospital and dispersed clinic sites Patient Population – Highly geriatric. The majority of inpatients are 65+, with dedicated geriatric programming Setting – Small, close‑knit Critical Access Hospital with a collaborative executive team KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Provide executive leadership for all nursing and clinical services across Med/Surg, Special Care, ED, OR, and Ambulatory, including nursing oversight of dispersed outpatient and clinic sites. Lead at the executive level: empower and develop nursing directors and managers to own day‑to‑day unit operations, while the CNO focuses on strategy, quality, and organization‑wide priorities. Lead, mentor, and develop an experienced nursing leadership team, strengthening accountability while honoring CMH’s collaborative, family‑like culture. Partner in the organization‑wide EMR implementation and technology/process modernization, helping nursing teams adopt new workflows and sustain safety and efficiency through the transition. Own nursing practice excellence and regulatory/accreditation readiness (The Joint Commission, CMS, NYS DOH), including competency oversight and scope‑of‑practice management across inpatient and clinic settings. Serve as a trusted clinical partner to the CEO and CMO and contribute to organization‑wide strategy, including care‑local growth and service‑line expansion. Oversee nursing workforce planning, staffing, and budget; partner effectively within a unionized environment. QUALIFICATIONS Active NY RN license (or eligibility to obtain prior to start); BSN required, graduate degree preferred. Progressive nursing leadership experience (Director, Senior Director, Associate/Assistant CNO, VP of Nursing, or CNO). Candidates with broad operational responsibility across multiple service lines (inpatient, ED, OR, ambulatory) are especially well suited; strong step‑up candidates ready to lead the full department are encouraged. A stable leadership track record and commitment to a long‑term tenure at CMH. Collaborative, accountable leadership style suited to a small, close‑knit hospital; an excellent communicator who builds trust with a tenured team and physician partners. ADVANTAGEOUS: experience leading through a major EMR or system‑wide change; quality/patient‑safety command with quantifiable outcomes; NY or highly regulated‑state experience; Joint Commission survey experience; Critical Access / rural background; and unionized‑workforce experience. THE SEARCH This search is being conducted confidentially by MediFlex Talent Solutions, a healthcare executive search firm focused on nursing and clinical leadership. MediFlex partners with community, rural, and Critical Access hospitals to place nursing and clinical executives through a confidential, relationship‑driven process. Candidates can expect a straight, complete picture of the role and organization, and a search partner who respects their time and discretion. To apply, express interest, or confidentially refer a colleague, contact MediFlex Talent Solutions at View email address on click.appcast.io . All inquiries are held in strict confidence. #J-18808-Ljbffr