Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) - Behavioral Health

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Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) – Behavioral Health
Premier Psychiatric Facility | Greater New Orleans Area

Compensation Package:
Base Salary: $120,000 – $140,000

• Annual leadership performance bonus
• Signing bonus
• Full relocation assistance
• Executive benefits package

About This Opportunity

Join our executive leadership team as Chief Nursing Officer at a state-of-the-art behavioral health facility dedicated to transforming lives through exceptional psychiatric care. We serve adolescents and adults facing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and acute mental health crises across the Greater New Orleans region.

As CNO, you'll drive clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and financial performance while shaping the future of behavioral health nursing. This is a high-impact leadership role for a proven nursing executive ready to set strategic vision, mentor emerging leaders, and champion patient-centered care in a specialized psychiatric environment.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Clinical Leadership
Define and execute the vision for nursing practice across all units. Direct nursing operations to ensure safe, timely, evidence-based care that meets the complex needs of behavioral health patients.

Operational & Regulatory Excellence
Establish and refine policies, procedures, and protocols to maintain compliance with state/federal regulations and achieve superior quality outcomes. Lead Joint Commission readiness and accreditation processes.

Resource Optimization
Forecast patient census and acuity trends. Deploy nursing staff strategically to balance quality care delivery with operational efficiency and budget parameters.

Talent Development
Build and lead a high-performing nursing team. Recruit behavioral health specialists, provide coaching and professional development, and create succession pathways for future nursing leaders.

Collaborative Care Delivery
Partner with psychiatrists, therapists, and administrative leaders to address the physical, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of patient care.

Financial Stewardship
Develop, manage, and report on the nursing department budget. Drive initiatives that improve both clinical outcomes and financial performance.

Required Qualifications

Critical: Only candidates with direct inpatient behavioral health/psychiatric nursing experience will be considered.

• Licensure: Active Louisiana RN license (or ability to obtain prior to start)
• Education: BSN required; MSN, MHA, or MBA strongly preferred
• Clinical Experience: 6+ years as RN (10+ preferred), including minimum 2 years in inpatient psychiatric/behavioral health settings
• Leadership Experience: 3+ years progressive nursing management; prior CNO or Director of Nursing experience strongly preferred
• Preferred Background: Freestanding psychiatric hospital experience highly valued

Comprehensive Benefits

Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage with low employee contributions

Financial Security
401(k) retirement plan with competitive company match

Work-Life Integration
Generous PTO including vacation, sick time, mental health days, and holidays

Professional Growth
Executive development programs including "CEO In-Training" track for aspiring healthcare administrators. Access to continuing education and leadership training.

Why This Role Matters

Behavioral health leadership demands specialized expertise and genuine passion. This CNO position offers the rare combination of clinical autonomy, executive influence, and the opportunity to elevate psychiatric nursing standards in a mission-driven organization. If you're ready to lead with both compassion and strategic acumen, we want to hear from you.