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.

• 25‑bed Critical Access Hospital, 150 nursing staff, unionized workforce.
• Tenured leadership team, collaborative executive group, family‑feel culture.
• Critical Access designation and community hospital.

• 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.

• Seasoned CNO or senior nurse executive with prior hospital nursing‑leadership experience.
• NY regulatory experience strongly preferred (or another highly regulated state).
• Active NY RN license or eligibility.
• Experience in Critical Access / rural / community hospital and unionized environment.

• 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.

• Active NY RN license (or eligibility to obtain prior to start).
• 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.
• NY or other highly regulated state experience.
• Unionized workforce experience.
• Critical Access, rural, or community hospital background.

$100–$150 per hour, negotiable based on experience.

Start within approximately one week of selection. Travel and lodging support available for non‑local candidates.

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

Both searches are being conducted confidentially by Mediflex Talent Solutions. Your application stays confidential. Send your CV and a brief note about which role(s) you are interested in to Karen Dixon, Sr. Director, Healthcare Recruitment – Mediflex Talent Solutions
.