Chief Clinical Officer

Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) - Inpatient Rehab & Pediatric Behavioral Services

Nexus Health Systems - Nexus Children's Hospital Dallas

At Nexus Health Systems, we are committed to bridging medical and behavioral healthcare to provide compassionate, specialized care for children and adolescents with complex needs. Nexus Children's Hospital - Dallas features 60 private rooms, specialized neurobehavioral and rehabilitation services, ICU step-down capabilities, dedicated rehab gyms, and engaging indoor and outdoor therapeutic activity spaces. Our mission is centered on delivering innovative, patient-focused care while supporting families through every stage of recovery and healing.

We are seeking an experienced, visionary, and collaborative Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) to lead clinical operations and drive excellence across our inpatient rehabilitation and pediatric behavioral health services.

Position Summary

The Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) provides strategic leadership and oversight of all clinical operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care throughout the hospital. This executive leadership role is responsible for aligning clinical services with organizational goals, regulatory standards, evidence-based practices, and operational excellence while fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The CCO serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Executive & Clinical Leadership

• Provides executive oversight for all clinical departments including nursing, rehabilitation, behavioral health, and ancillary clinical services.
• Collaborates with executive leadership to develop and implement strategic clinical initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
• Promotes a culture of patient safety, service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Leads interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure seamless patient care across the continuum of care.
• Represents clinical operations in executive leadership meetings, strategic planning initiatives, and community outreach efforts.
• Oversees development and expansion of inpatient rehabilitation and pediatric behavioral health programs.

Clinical Excellence & Patient Care

• Ensures integration of evidence-based practices into clinical protocols and patient care delivery models.
• Monitors clinical outcomes and leads initiatives focused on improving patient care effectiveness, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction.
• Champions innovation in pediatric rehabilitation, neurobehavioral services, integrated behavioral healthcare, and interdisciplinary treatment models.
• Supports implementation of emerging technologies and clinical best practices to enhance patient outcomes.
• Leads initiatives to standardize clinical practices and reduce variation in care delivery.
• Ensures culturally competent and family-centered care throughout all clinical programs.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

• Leads the organization's quality improvement and patient safety programs.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accrediting agency standards including CMS, Joint Commission, CARF, DNV, and state regulations.
• Coordinates readiness efforts for audits, inspections, surveys, and accreditation reviews.
• Analyzes clinical performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborates with department leaders to establish and monitor quality metrics and performance benchmarks.

Leadership Development & Team Engagement

• Mentors, coaches, and develops clinical leadership staff across the organization.
• Promotes a culture of professional growth, continuing education, and leadership development.
• Oversees succession planning and leadership development initiatives for clinical departments.
• Supports recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies for clinical staff and leadership teams.
• Serves as a role model for professionalism, collaboration, and ethical leadership.

Financial & Operational Stewardship

• Collaborates with executive leadership on clinical budgeting, staffing models, and resource allocation.
• Evaluates operational effectiveness and cost-efficiency of clinical programs and services.
• Supports value-based care initiatives and organizational financial sustainability.
• Leads initiatives to improve clinical productivity, patient throughput, and operational performance.
• Promotes stewardship of hospital resources while maintaining exceptional quality of care.

Service Excellence & Organizational Culture

• Supports and communicates the Mission, Vision, and Values of Nexus Health Systems.
• Promotes a culture of compassion, accountability, teamwork, and patient-centered service.
• Collaborates effectively with physicians, nurses, therapists, and ancillary departments to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Maintains confidentiality and compliance with all HIPAA regulations and organizational policies.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

Education

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) required.
• MBA or Master's degree in a healthcare-related field acceptable with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and applicable experience.
• Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), Healthcare Administration (DHA), or related healthcare doctorate preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of clinical experience required.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience required.
• Proven success in clinical operations, quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience within pediatric rehabilitation, behavioral health, specialty hospitals, or inpatient rehabilitation settings strongly preferred.
• Experience in value-based care and population health initiatives preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic leadership and operational management capabilities.
• Advanced knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice, patient safety, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and team leadership skills.
• Financial literacy with ability to manage budgets, optimize resources, and support operational performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with data-driven decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with EHR systems, clinical informatics, and healthcare technology solutions.

Licensure & Certifications

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Texas required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through American Heart Association or American Red Cross required.
• ANCC Nurse Executive or Nurse Executive Advanced Certification preferred.

Why Join Nexus Children's Hospital - Dallas?

• Executive leadership opportunity within a growing specialty healthcare organization
• Collaborative, mission-driven pediatric care environment
• Opportunity to shape and expand innovative inpatient rehabilitation and behavioral health services
• Supportive executive leadership team focused on clinical excellence and patient outcomes
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive executive benefits package