JOB PURPOSE

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) provides strategic, clinical, and operational leadership for all nursing services within the hospital. The role is responsible for ensuring high-quality patient care, professional nursing practice, regulatory compliance, workforce excellence, and alignment with the hospital’s strategic objectives.

The CNO is a key member of the Executive Management Team, contributing to organisational planning, patient safety, quality improvement, and service delivery excellence.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care

• Provide overall leadership in maintaining high standards of nursing and midwifery care across all clinical departments.
• Ensure evidence-based practice, adherence to clinical protocols, infection prevention standards, and patient safety guidelines.
• Oversee clinical quality indicators, adverse event reporting, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct executive clinical rounds to monitor quality of care, patient experience, and compliance with standards.
• Promote respectful, compassionate, and patient-centred care throughout the hospital.

Nursing Workforce Management & Development

• Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship to nurse managers and nursing staff across all units.
• Oversee workforce planning, staffing levels, skill mix, and deployment to ensure safe and efficient service delivery.
• Ensure performance management, appraisal, and accountability systems are implemented consistently.
• Identify training needs and coordinate continuous professional development, leadership growth, and succession planning.
• Promote staff engagement, wellbeing, and retention in collaboration with Human Resources.

Quality Assurance, Safety & Client Satisfaction

• Lead implementation of the hospital’s quality assurance, patient safety, and infection prevention and control programmes.
• Monitor patient satisfaction, complaints, and service recovery actions related to nursing services.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies, accreditation standards, and professional nursing guidelines.
• Participate in development and review of policies, SOPs, clinical pathways, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Drive continuous quality improvement and risk management within nursing services.

Operational, Financial & Resource Management

• Oversee efficient utilization of nursing resources, including staffing, consumables, and equipment.
• Participate in budget planning, cost control, and financial stewardship of nursing services.
• Monitor resource allocation, wastage reduction, and productivity across departments.
• Ensure effective coordination of care with medical, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, theatre, and support services.
• Support implementation and monitoring of the hospital risk register and mitigation actions related to clinical services.

Communication, Collaboration & Governance

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Management Team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making.
• Maintain effective communication with patients, families, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with medical leadership, allied health professionals, and department heads to enhance service delivery.
• Represent nursing services in hospital committees, audits, regulatory engagements, and external forums.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and ethical practice.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a recognized institution.
• Master’s degree in nursing, Healthcare Management, Public Health, or related field – preferred.
• Valid Nursing Council registration and practicing licence.
• Updated BLS and ACLS certification (additional leadership or quality certifications are an added advantage).
• Minimum 8–10 years progressive nursing experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership/management within a hospital setting.

KEY JOB REQUREMENTS

• Strong clinical governance and patient safety expertise.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership and decision-making capability.
• Excellent financial, operational, and resource management skills.
• High level communication, stakeholder engagement, and interpersonal competence.
• Proven ability in team leadership, mentorship, and change management.
• Sound knowledge of healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and quality improvement frameworks.
• Ability to manage crises, lead under pressure, and drive organisational performance.
• High integrity, professionalism, and accountability.