ob Title: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Reports to: President and CEO
Location: Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Decatur, IL
Schedule: Full-time, exempt; Monday-Friday with core hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. This is an executive-level position and carries the expectation of availability and responsiveness outside of standard hours as needed to support staff, clinical operations, and organizational priorities.
Position Overview:
Heritage Behavioral Health Center (HBHC) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) providing comprehensive, integrated behavioral health and primary care services to individuals and families across central Illinois. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Nurse Practitioner (NP) to serve as our Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and provide executive-level leadership over all nursing operations across the organization.
The CNO at Heritage serves as the senior nursing leader responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with CCBHC standards, regulatory requirements, and Heritage s mission. This role partners closely with executive leadership and interdisciplinary clinical teams to drive nursing strategy, policy development, quality improvement, and workforce development across all programs and sites. This is primarily an executive leadership role, with approximately 85% of time dedicated to administrative and operational responsibilities and 15% reserved for flexible, need-based clinical practice rather than a scheduled patient panel. We welcome applications from both Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) and Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (PCNP) who demonstrated leadership experience and a commitment to advancing nursing practice within a behavioral health setting.
Leadership & Team Expectations
Champion a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care grounded in trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles
Lead nursing staff with integrity, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the organization
Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment that supports staff development and retention
Maintain a visible, approachable leadership presence across clinical programs and sites
Model and reinforce professional standards, ethical practice, and continuous improvement
Core Responsibilities:
Nursing Operations & Clinical Leadership
Lead and oversee all nursing operations across Heritage programs and service sites, ensuring compliance with CCBHC standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations
Develop, implement, and evaluate nursing policies, procedures, and clinical protocols tomaintainhigh standardsof care and regulatory compliance
Serve as the organizational expert on nursing practice standards, scope of practice, and clinical care delivery across behavioral health, primary care, and community-based settings
Provide direct oversight of nursing staff across the continuum of care, including clinic-based, crisis, and residential/community settings
Maintain clinical competency and availability for limited, need-based direct patient care (approximately 15% of time) on a flexible basis; no formal or scheduled patient panel is expected
Strategy, Quality & Compliance
Collaborate with executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams to integrate nursing services with organizational strategic goals and clinical operations
Monitor patient care outcomes and quality metrics,utilizingdata to drive continuous improvement in nursing practice, patient safety, and care delivery
Lead andparticipatein quality improvement initiatives, accreditation processes, and regulatory reviews relevant to nursing services
Ensure organizational readiness for surveys, audits, and compliance reviews bymaintainingup-to-date policies, documentation, and staff training
Workforce Development & Staff Support
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development of nursing staff to foster a skilled, engaged, and motivated workforce
Identifytraining needs and develop or coordinate educational programming to support clinical competency and staff growth
Support nursing staff leaders across programs and sites, serving as a resource and escalation point for clinical and operational issues
Promote and support the well-being, resilience, and professional satisfaction of nursing staff at all levels
Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Communication
Ensure effective communication and coordination between nursing staff, clinical departments, and organizational leadership tooptimizepatient care delivery
Participate in executive leadership meetings and contribute to organizational planning and decision-making from a nursing and clinical perspective
Collaborate with IT, compliance, and program leadership on initiativesimpactingclinical workflows, including electronic health record (EHR) systems andeMARimplementation
Serve as a key advocate for nursing staff and patients,representingnursing s voice in organizational priorities and resource planning
Resource & Financial Management
Participate in budget planning and resource allocation to support nursing services, staffing needs, and operational efficiency
Evaluate and manage nursing-related vendor relationships, supply chains, and equipment needs in partnership with operations leadership
Utilize data and outcomes to make informed recommendations for resource investment and program development
Performance Expectations / What Success Looks Like
The Chief Nursing Officer will be successful in this role when:
Nursing staff across all programs feel supported, well-prepared, and equipped to deliver high-quality care
Nursing policies, protocols, and practices are current, compliant, and consistently implemented across the organization
Quality metrics and patient outcomes reflect continuous improvement and alignment with CCBHC standards
Executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams view the CNO as a trusted, collaborative partner in advancing Heritage s mission
Nursing workforce development efforts result in a skilled, engaged, and stable nursing team across all sites
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Deep knowledge of behavioral health nursing practice, CCBHC standards, and applicable regulatory requirements
Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and guide diverse nursing teams
Analytical skills to interpret quality metrics, patient outcomes, and operational data to drive improvement
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across multidisciplinary teams and executive leadership
Strategic thinking and resource management skills to support operational efficiency and program advancement
Proficiencywith electronic health record (EHR) systems and clinical data tools
Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead effectively in a complex, fast-paced behavioral health environment
Education and Experience:
Active, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the State of Illinoisrequired; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) certificationrequired.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)required; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive nursing experience, including demonstrated leadership or management experience; experience in behavioral health, community health, or similarly complex clinical environments preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health nursing practices, and regulatory compliance
Experience with quality improvement processes, patient safety standards, and clinical outcomes management
Experience in budget management and strategic planning within healthcare organizations preferred
Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and data analytics tools relevant to clinical operations preferred
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)required; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $175,000 - $205,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.
Heritage offers the following with this position:
Generous Time Off: Vacation,sick, personal, and holiday leave
Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off (paid), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), andadditionallife insurance
Retirement: 401(k) and Roth options
Professional Growth: Tuitionassistanceand continuing education opportunities
Reports to: President and CEO
Location: Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Decatur, IL
Schedule: Full-time, exempt; Monday-Friday with core hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. This is an executive-level position and carries the expectation of availability and responsiveness outside of standard hours as needed to support staff, clinical operations, and organizational priorities.
Position Overview:
Heritage Behavioral Health Center (HBHC) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) providing comprehensive, integrated behavioral health and primary care services to individuals and families across central Illinois. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Nurse Practitioner (NP) to serve as our Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and provide executive-level leadership over all nursing operations across the organization.
The CNO at Heritage serves as the senior nursing leader responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care that aligns with CCBHC standards, regulatory requirements, and Heritage s mission. This role partners closely with executive leadership and interdisciplinary clinical teams to drive nursing strategy, policy development, quality improvement, and workforce development across all programs and sites. This is primarily an executive leadership role, with approximately 85% of time dedicated to administrative and operational responsibilities and 15% reserved for flexible, need-based clinical practice rather than a scheduled patient panel. We welcome applications from both Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) and Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (PCNP) who demonstrated leadership experience and a commitment to advancing nursing practice within a behavioral health setting.
Leadership & Team Expectations
Champion a culture of compassionate, patient-centered care grounded in trauma-informed and recovery-oriented principles
Lead nursing staff with integrity, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the organization
Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment that supports staff development and retention
Maintain a visible, approachable leadership presence across clinical programs and sites
Model and reinforce professional standards, ethical practice, and continuous improvement
Core Responsibilities:
Nursing Operations & Clinical Leadership
Lead and oversee all nursing operations across Heritage programs and service sites, ensuring compliance with CCBHC standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations
Develop, implement, and evaluate nursing policies, procedures, and clinical protocols tomaintainhigh standardsof care and regulatory compliance
Serve as the organizational expert on nursing practice standards, scope of practice, and clinical care delivery across behavioral health, primary care, and community-based settings
Provide direct oversight of nursing staff across the continuum of care, including clinic-based, crisis, and residential/community settings
Maintain clinical competency and availability for limited, need-based direct patient care (approximately 15% of time) on a flexible basis; no formal or scheduled patient panel is expected
Strategy, Quality & Compliance
Collaborate with executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams to integrate nursing services with organizational strategic goals and clinical operations
Monitor patient care outcomes and quality metrics,utilizingdata to drive continuous improvement in nursing practice, patient safety, and care delivery
Lead andparticipatein quality improvement initiatives, accreditation processes, and regulatory reviews relevant to nursing services
Ensure organizational readiness for surveys, audits, and compliance reviews bymaintainingup-to-date policies, documentation, and staff training
Workforce Development & Staff Support
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development of nursing staff to foster a skilled, engaged, and motivated workforce
Identifytraining needs and develop or coordinate educational programming to support clinical competency and staff growth
Support nursing staff leaders across programs and sites, serving as a resource and escalation point for clinical and operational issues
Promote and support the well-being, resilience, and professional satisfaction of nursing staff at all levels
Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Communication
Ensure effective communication and coordination between nursing staff, clinical departments, and organizational leadership tooptimizepatient care delivery
Participate in executive leadership meetings and contribute to organizational planning and decision-making from a nursing and clinical perspective
Collaborate with IT, compliance, and program leadership on initiativesimpactingclinical workflows, including electronic health record (EHR) systems andeMARimplementation
Serve as a key advocate for nursing staff and patients,representingnursing s voice in organizational priorities and resource planning
Resource & Financial Management
Participate in budget planning and resource allocation to support nursing services, staffing needs, and operational efficiency
Evaluate and manage nursing-related vendor relationships, supply chains, and equipment needs in partnership with operations leadership
Utilize data and outcomes to make informed recommendations for resource investment and program development
Performance Expectations / What Success Looks Like
The Chief Nursing Officer will be successful in this role when:
Nursing staff across all programs feel supported, well-prepared, and equipped to deliver high-quality care
Nursing policies, protocols, and practices are current, compliant, and consistently implemented across the organization
Quality metrics and patient outcomes reflect continuous improvement and alignment with CCBHC standards
Executive leadership and interdisciplinary teams view the CNO as a trusted, collaborative partner in advancing Heritage s mission
Nursing workforce development efforts result in a skilled, engaged, and stable nursing team across all sites
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Deep knowledge of behavioral health nursing practice, CCBHC standards, and applicable regulatory requirements
Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and guide diverse nursing teams
Analytical skills to interpret quality metrics, patient outcomes, and operational data to drive improvement
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across multidisciplinary teams and executive leadership
Strategic thinking and resource management skills to support operational efficiency and program advancement
Proficiencywith electronic health record (EHR) systems and clinical data tools
Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead effectively in a complex, fast-paced behavioral health environment
Education and Experience:
Active, unrestricted Nurse Practitioner license in the State of Illinoisrequired; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) certificationrequired.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)required; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive nursing experience, including demonstrated leadership or management experience; experience in behavioral health, community health, or similarly complex clinical environments preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health nursing practices, and regulatory compliance
Experience with quality improvement processes, patient safety standards, and clinical outcomes management
Experience in budget management and strategic planning within healthcare organizations preferred
Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems and data analytics tools relevant to clinical operations preferred
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)required; Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $175,000 - $205,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.
Heritage offers the following with this position:
Generous Time Off: Vacation,sick, personal, and holiday leave
Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off (paid), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), andadditionallife insurance
Retirement: 401(k) and Roth options
Professional Growth: Tuitionassistanceand continuing education opportunities
Job ID: 522902461
Originally Posted on: 5/29/2026
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