We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Nursing Officer / Chief Operating Officer (CNO/COO) to join Melissa Memorial Hospital (MMH), a highly regarded 15-bed Critical Access Hospital located in Holyoke, Colorado. Recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 100 Best Places to Work, MMH is committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care to its rural community.
MMH provides a full continuum of services including a 24/7 Emergency Department, inpatient care, surgical services, RHC, family practice and specialty clinics, as well as laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, therapy, and additional support services. The hospital operates with a strong sense of community and is guided by its core values of integrity, collaboration, courage, service, passion, and ownership.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this role serves as a key member of the executive leadership team with responsibility for the overall direction of nursing services and hospital operations. The CNO/COO will ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality care while driving operational efficiency, workforce engagement, financial performance, and long-term organizational sustainability.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, visible leader who excels in building strong relationships with physicians, staff, leadership, and the community. This role requires a balance of clinical expertise and operational leadership, with accountability for improving patient outcomes, optimizing staffing and workflows, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting strategic growth in a rural healthcare environment.
Provide executive leadership aligning clinical and operational strategies with organizational goals.
Serve as a key partner to the CEO and Board in advancing performance and long-term sustainability.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement.
Build strong relationships with physicians, staff, leadership, and community stakeholders.
Nursing & Clinical Operations
Provide oversight for all nursing and patient care services across the organization.
Ensure delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based care.
Establish and maintain clinical standards, competencies, and nursing best practices.
Lead initiatives to improve patient outcomes and nursing-sensitive indicators.
Direct day-to-day hospital operations, including inpatient, outpatient, RHC primary and specialty clinic, ED, surgical, and ancillary services.
Improve patient flow, throughput, and coordination across departments.
Optimize staffing models, scheduling processes, and resource utilization.
Implement efficient workflows and operational best practices.
Financial & Performance Management
Partner with finance leadership to manage budgets, labor, and operational performance.
Monitor productivity, staffing levels, and cost efficiency.
Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational improvement.
Support financial sustainability in a Critical Access Hospital environment.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
Ensure compliance with Critical Access Hospital, CMS, and regulatory standards.
Promote a culture of safety and high reliability.
Lead performance improvement initiatives focused on patient safety and quality outcomes.
Maintain continuous readiness for surveys and accreditation.
in collaboration with director of quality.
Patient Experience & Community Engagement
Champion a patient-centered culture focused on service excellence.
Improve patient satisfaction and experience metrics.
Engage with community members and stakeholders to support trust and access to care.
Lead recruitment, retention, and workforce engagement strategies.
Develop leadership pipelines, onboarding, and competency programs.
Reduce reliance on agency/travel staff through sustainable staffing models.
Foster a culture of professional growth, accountability, and teamwork.
Support service line development and operational innovation.
Identify opportunities to expand services and improve access to care.
Contribute to long-term strategic planning and organizational growth.
Support MMH vision and mission.
Maintain confidentiality of all work information.
Demonstrate an ability to function successfully in a team environment.
Exhibit courteous, compassionate, and respectful treatment of internal and external customers.
Displays a positive attitude and flexibility in changing situations.
Participates in identifying problems and suggesting solutions.
Report any compliance issues as designated in the MMH Compliance Program.
Master’s or Doctorate (MSN, MHA, MBA, or DNP)
Current Registered Nurse (RN) license or ability to obtain Colorado licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
Minimum of 10 years progressive healthcare leadership experience
Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role (CNO, COO, VP, or equivalent)
Critical Access Hospital operations
Clinical quality and patient safety
Regulatory compliance and accreditation
Hospital operations and staffing models
"This position will remain open until filled; however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis."
WHY WORK AT MELISSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL?
At Melissa Memorial Hospital, we’re a family not just a healthcare provider serving patients, staff, and community with care and inclusion. Here’s why you’ll thrive here:
Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Service, Collaboration, Ownership, Courage drive us.
Mission: “Compassionate care, nurturing trust.”, Tagline: “Seek Health. Live Well.”
Eastern Plains Heart: A tight-knit team delivering impactful care.
Balance: Work-life support plus the tools to excel in your current role and help you grow!
100% Employer paid Medical (Employee Only)
Dental and Vision insurance
Retirement Plans, with up to 3% employer match
Voluntary Group Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Gym Membership Discount
PTO, Paid Sick Time
Continuing Education Benefits
FSA
MASA Insurance
Eligibility for Student Loan Repayment
MELISSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL:
Melissa Memorial Hospital is a 15-bed critical access hospital, located in Holyoke, Colorado. While being “rural” we are equipped for any situation. It is a model rural hospital with 1 operating room, surgical procedure room, 4 bay emergency room, and radiology including 64-slice CT scanner and mammography, MRI, ECHO, and Nuclear Medicine, along with other ancillary services. The hospital is co-located with a family practice clinic and retail pharmacy services. Other services include chemotherapy, general & orthopedic surgery, podiatry, cardiology, orthopedic surgery, progressive rehab services, and wound care. MMH operates a full-time EMS service and maintains a 24/7 AirLife Helicopter base.
Holyoke is home to the Holyoke Dragons and is truly a “City of Pride and Progress.” Holyoke offers:
From different coffee shops to different ethnic flavors, to a quick bite, the sweet small town of Holyoke has a handful of different restaurant options to choose from.
Holyoke is based in Phillips County where there are four different rural towns in the county with two schools in the county. Holyoke, Amherst. Paoli, and Haxtun are all within the same county. Holyoke homes a historical museum with different artifacts of what has built Holyoke today. You will see the fields turn different colors throughout different seasons. Your wheat, corn, alfalfa, are some of the few cultivating growths that you will see around your area! If you enjoy hunting, there are plenty of opportunities for a good catch. You will discover that you can see the most beautiful sunsets and the clearest starry nights out in the rural areas. Come take a look at our beautiful little town in the Northeastern corner of Colorado.
Click here for a List of Things to Do in Holyoke
Melissa Memorial Hospital is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
