Chief Nursing Officer

TWO CNO OPPORTUNITIES | Confidential Search | Central New York

Mediflex Talent Solutions has been retained for a confidential dual search at a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Central New York: an Interim Chief Nursing Officer (immediate) and a Permanent Chief Nursing Officer (long-term seat). The hospital is taking a deliberate, planned approach bringing in an experienced interim leader to bridge operations while we run a thorough search for the right permanent CNO. Two parallel paths. Two different audiences.

If you're an experienced nurse executive, whether you're between roles, a career interim leader, or ready for your next chief seat, read on.

25-bed Critical Access Hospital and the healthcare anchor of its community

150 nursing staff; unionized workforce

Service lines: Med/Surg (incl. Special Care Unit), ED, OR, Ambulatory

Tenured leadership team; collaborative executive group; family-feel culture

CNO reports directly to the CEO and partners closely with the CMO in a clinical dyad

Located in a welcoming Central NY community known for quality of life and livability

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A high-impact bridge role with real authority — not a placeholder. Step in quickly, stabilize nursing operations, and hand the eventual permanent CNO a clear, informed starting point.

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Provide steady, credible nursing leadership across all clinical services from day one

Maintain regulatory and survey readiness (Joint Commission, CMS, NYS DOH)

Steady a tenured leadership team through a period of change — build trust, not disruption

Assess staffing, structure, and process; document a clean handoff

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✅ Seasoned CNO or senior nurse executive with prior hospital nursing-leadership experience

✅ NY regulatory experience strongly preferred (or another highly regulated state)

✅ Comfortable entering a small, close-knit hospital mid-transition with a steady hand

✅ Active NY RN license or eligibility

✅ Critical Access / rural / community hospital experience and unionized environment background are advantages

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$100–$150/hr (negotiable based on experience)

Target commitment: 4–6 months

Start within ~1 week of selection

Travel and lodging support available for non-local candidates

On-site in Central New York

Open to candidates between permanent roles as well as career interim leaders.

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A genuine chief seat where nursing leadership shapes patient care, quality, and culture — without the big-system bureaucracy. Strong Directors and Senior Directors of Nursing ready for the chief role are encouraged to apply.

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Executive leadership for all nursing and clinical services across Med/Surg, Special Care, ED, OR, and Ambulatory

Lead, mentor, and develop an experienced nursing leadership team

Trusted clinical partner to the CEO and CMO; contribute to organization-wide strategy

Own nursing practice excellence and regulatory/accreditation readiness

Advocate for nursing staff; protect patients and nurses' licensure through sound policy

Partner effectively within a unionized environment; oversee workforce planning and budget

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✅ 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

✅ Collaborative, accountable leadership style suited to a small, close-knit hospital

✅ Strong communicator who brings people along

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✅ NY or other highly regulated state experience

✅ Joint Commission survey experience

✅ Unionized workforce experience

✅ Critical Access, rural, or community hospital background

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$190,000–$210,000 base salary

Relocation support available

Generous PTO and competitive benefits

Central New York (on-site)

Full-time executive role

- . If you're a Director or Senior Director of Nursing ready for the chief role, this seat is worth the move.

Both searches are being conducted confidentially by Mediflex Talent Solutions. Your application stays confidential. Send your CV and a few sentences about which role(s) you're interested in to:

Karen Dixon, Sr. Director, Healthcare Recruitment - Mediflex Talent Solutions

✉️ View email address on click.appcast.io

Direct referrals from your nursing leadership network are appreciated. Passive candidates welcome. Happy to have a confidential conversation about whether either role fits.

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