Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) - Laredo, TX

Laredo Medical Center is Laredo's largest hospital — a 326-bed licensed acute care facility offering a range of inpatient and outpatient services. Laredo Medical Center's quality of care has been recognized by respected agencies and national accrediting bodies. LMC is an accredited hospital by the Joint Commission. LMC also earned advanced certification as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, and it received the designation as a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care service provider from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Additionally, LMC has just been conferred the designation of Chest Pain Accredited v6 with Primary PCI Accreditation from the American College of Cardiology. LMC is also accredited as an MBSAQIP for its bariatric program, the first hospital in Laredo to achieve the Center for Excellence designation for this program. The hospital also is home to the largest emergency center in the community with an Advanced Level III Trauma Designation. LMC grew its footprint in the region by constructing its first stand-alone emergency room, Laredo Medical Center - North Central ER, in early 2020 at 9811 McPherson Road.

Additionally, LMC is the only hospital in the community with a dedicated unit for bone and joint services, including robotic-assisted surgery for total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements. The LMC primary care residency programs for family medicine and internal medicine are making an impact on the care patients receive in the community. Now with a second cohort of residents, this is the city's first nationally accredited graduate medical education programs to train future generations of physicians.

We believe in the power of people to create great care. We're 1,200 healthcare professionals strong, and work hard every day to be a place of healing, caring and connection for patients and families in the community we call home.

Job Summary

The Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (Assistant CNO) supports the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in the overall leadership, coordination, and management of nursing operations across the facility. This role assists in developing and executing strategies that promote high-quality, safe, and efficient patient care while ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. The Assistant CNO helps lead nursing staff engagement, professional development, and operational performance initiatives that support the hospital's mission, vision, and values. This position also serves as part of a nursing leadership development pathway, preparing incumbents for future advancement to a Chief Nursing Officer role within the network.

Essential Functions

• Assists the CNO in providing strategic and operational leadership to nursing services, ensuring quality patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction.
• Supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing standards, policies, and procedures to align with evidence-based practice and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary leadership to align nursing goals with hospital objectives and organizational strategy.
• Supports preparation for accreditation surveys and ensures compliance with The Joint Commission, CMS, and other regulatory requirements.
• Creates and supports initiatives that foster a positive work environment and encourage recruitment and retention of high-performing nursing professionals.
• Represents nursing services in committees, community events, medical staff meetings, and board of director meetings as requested.
• Maintains visibility in clinical areas to monitor quality of care, support staff, and engage with patients and families.
• Develops leadership, operational, and clinical acumen necessary to advance to a Chief Nursing Officer position within the network.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervision and Staff Management
  • Provides leadership, mentorship and professional development opportunities for departmental staff.
  • Schedules employees to ensure effective use of resources. Consults with leadership on any potential staffing issues.
  • Conducts performance evaluations, sets goals and provides feedback to staff on their performance and development.
• Strategic Planning and Financial Oversight
  • Collaborates with hospital leadership to set the strategic direction for the department, including budgeting, resource allocation and long-term planning.
  • Monitors expenditures, ensuring cost-effective delivery of services.
  • Evaluates and implements new technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Develops and implements departmental policies and procedures and protocols to optimize quality and overall efficiencies.
• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensures compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies. May oversee the accreditation process with relevant agencies ensuring that services meet or exceed industry standards.
  • Participates in audits, inspections and accreditation processes as applicable.
  • Follows established quality control practices to ensure accuracy, consistency and safety.
• Collaboration and Communication
  • Works closely with leadership teams to coordinate and improve service delivery.
  • Stays up-to-date with industry advancements, new technologies, and regulatory changes.
• Staff Responsibilities
  • May work in a staff role, when required. Ensures that duties and responsibilities are fulfilled while meeting all competencies established for that job.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field required or
• Eight (8) plus years of direct experience in lieu of a Bachelor's degree required
• Master's Degree preferred
• 4-6 years of experience in closely related field with Bachelor's degree required
• 5-7 years of previous leadership experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and manage cross-functional relationships.
• Foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate effectively with leadership, team members, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with others, delegate responsibilities, and independently manage tasks while meeting established deadlines.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• In depth knowledge of industry best practices and regulatory compliance (if applicable).
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency with Google and Microsoft platforms, healthcare software systems, and data analysis tools. 

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required