Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) – Behavioral Health

Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) – Behavioral Health
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Compensation: $130,000 – $160,000 + Bonus Eligibility + Relocation Assistance

An exciting and highly visible opportunity is available for an experienced Behavioral Health nursing leader to step into a Chief Nursing Officer role with a rapidly expanding national behavioral health organization. This position offers the unique opportunity to play a key role in launching and shaping a new inpatient behavioral health facility, making a lasting impact from day one.

This organization operates a broad network of treatment centers nationwide, delivering comprehensive care across multiple levels for patients with behavioral health and substance use disorders. The CNO will be instrumental in building a strong clinical foundation, driving quality outcomes, and establishing a culture of excellence.

Position Overview

The Chief Nursing Officer will provide executive-level leadership for all nursing operations within the facility. This individual will set the vision for nursing practice, ensuring the delivery of safe, patient-centered, and high-quality care while building and mentoring a high-performing nursing team.

This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for someone who thrives in a startup environment and is energized by building programs, teams, and processes from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the overall vision and strategy for nursing services
• Build, develop, and lead the nursing team, including recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing performance management
• Ensure delivery of safe, efficient, and patient-centered care across all levels of the organization
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to meet the comprehensive needs of the patient population
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and clinical protocols to ensure regulatory compliance and quality outcomes
• Oversee staffing models, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources based on patient acuity and census
• Drive a culture of accountability, patient safety, and service excellence
• Monitor and improve clinical quality, operational performance, and financial outcomes within the nursing department
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and departmental financial management
• Evaluate nursing operations and implement continuous improvement strategies
• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to overall facility strategy and growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing required; Master's degree strongly preferred
• Active RN license
• Minimum 6 years of RN experience required; 10+ years preferred
• At least 3 years of progressive nursing leadership experience required
• Minimum 2 years of inpatient behavioral health nursing experience required
• Prior leadership experience in a psychiatric hospital setting strongly preferred
• Previous CNO or Director of Nursing experience highly preferred

Ideal Candidate

• Proven behavioral health leader with strong inpatient experience
• Demonstrated success in building and leading nursing teams
• Experience in a startup or new facility environment strongly preferred
• Operationally strong with the ability to balance clinical excellence and financial performance
• Collaborative, visible leader who can inspire teams and drive results

This is a rare opportunity to take on a foundational leadership role and help shape the future of a growing behavioral health program while advancing your executive career.