Recruiting
for
Chief Nursing Officer
Inova Fairfax Hospital
3300 Gallows Road
Falls Church, Virginia 22042
www.Inova.org
THE OPPORTUNITY
NURSE EXECUTIVE opportunity for the FLAGSHIP hospital of the nationally
recognized INOVA Health System. This opportunity requires an accomplished and
innovative nurse leader to guide the highly skilled, Magnet designated nursing team of
Inova’s 833 bed multi –specialty hospital campus into the new era of value driven care.
With a track record of navigating and leading in large, highly matrixed organizations, this
individual will be energized by challenge, change and complexity.
The ideal candidate would be a demonstrated clinical & business leader in all facets of
patient centered healthcare delivery. This individual will have broad responsibility and
accountability for programs, functions and operations during a time of significant
healthcare transition. This leader must be proficient at building teams and mentoring new
leaders at all levels of the nursing organization. Serving as a partner and a core member of
the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Nursing Officer will impact the quality and
outcome of service provision through planning, directing, EXECUTING and evaluating
nursing practice throughout the Inova Fairfax Campus.
This visible, “boots on the ground”, operations focused, nursing leader will have the vision
to lead in a contemporary setting with a culture that is committed to outcomes, value and
excellence. As the primary spokesperson for nursing, the Chief Nursing Executive will
work in partnership with the hospital’s COO and Inova Chief Nurse Executive to align the
nursing staff with the mission, values and vision of Inova Healthcare System.
CLIENT
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
The Inova Fairfax Medical Campus surrounds Inova Fairfax Hospital, an 833-bed,
nationally recognized regional medical center serving the Washington, DC, metro area.
Inova Fairfax also serves as the flagship hospital for Inova Health.
Consistently ranked among the top healthcare providers in the United States, Inova Fairfax
Hospital was recently named #1 in the Washington, DC, metro area, #3 in the state of
Virginia and one of the best in Northern Virginia by U.S. News. Nationally ranked as a
U.S.News Best Hospital in gynecology, Inova Fairfax is also ranked as High Performing in
11 specialties: Cancer, Cardiology and Heart Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, ENT,
Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery,
Orthopedics, Pulmonology and Urology. Inova Fairfax Hospital offers Northern Virginia’s
only level 1 trauma center for treating the most critically injured patients, has one of the
nation’s most-sough-out obstetrics programs and offers a level IV neonatal intensive care
unit.
The Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is home to two internationally recognized facilities –
Inova Children’s Hospital and Inova Heart and Vascular Institute. IHVI is the region’s
only dedicated cardiac care facility, housing the most advanced technology and facilities
dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and Inova Fairfax Hospital offers Northern
Virginia’s only level 1 trauma center for treating the most critically injured patients, has
one of the nation's most-sought-out obstetrics programs and offers a level IV neonatal
intensive care unit. The Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is home to two internationally
recognized facilities – Inova Children's Hospital and Inova Heart and Vascular Institute.
IHVI is the region’s only dedicated cardiac care facility, housing the most advanced
technology and facilities dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart
disease. In addition, Inova Fairfax Hospital offers a robust organ transplantation program,
including heart, lung, kidney, pancreas and bone marrow transplant services.
Inova Fairfax Hospital is consistently recognized for excellence and innovation.
The hospital was the first in the Washington, DC, metro area to receive the prestigious
Magnet designation for nursing excellence.
Inova Fairfax Hospital is also a teaching facility, partnering with the medical schools of
Georgetown and George Washington universities and the Medical College of Virginia; the
nursing schools of George Mason and Marymount Universities and Northern Virginia
Community College; and the pharmacy schools of Shenandoah, Howard and Campbell
universities and the Medical College of Virginia
INOVA Health System
Inova is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that serves more
than two million people each year from throughout the Washington, DC, metro area and
beyond. Governed by a volunteer board of community members, Inova has grown from
one hospital in 1956 to a nationally recognized, comprehensive network of hospitals,
outpatient services and facilities, primary and specialty care physician practices, and
health and wellness initiatives serving the Washington, DC, metro area.
Inova's five hospitals include more than 1,700 licensed beds and 16,000 employees. Inova
encompasses the full array of health services, including the area’s only Level 1 Trauma
Center and Level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Inova is also home to nationally and
internationally recognized Inova Heart and Vascular Institute (IHVI), Inova Translational
Medicine Institute (ITMI) focused on genomics research, Inova Neuroscience Institute and
Inova Children’s Hospital.
Inova's mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through
excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova's service promise is that we seek
every opportunity to meet the unique needs of each person we are privileged to serve –
every time, every touch.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
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Minimum of ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of senior nursing leadership within an acute
care hospital.
Previous or current CNO experience in a 500 bed hospital or greater
Associate CNO or Sr Director experience in an acute setting greater than 700 beds
A strong OPERATIONS background
Demonstrated track record building high performing, patient centered teams.
Thorough understanding of financial principles & procedures pertaining to budget
development, monitoring and justification.
Experience with the Electronic Health Record, CPOE (Computerized Provider Order
Entry)
practice management integration, financial management and clinical
management information systems
Significant depth and understanding of healthcare clinical and business processes
Experience in Magnet hospital or in preparing for Magnet Certification strongly
desired
Demonstrated experience of improving nursing operations with positive outcomes in
quality, cost and productivity.
Can supply data that supports success in patient, employee and physician satisfaction
(HCAHPS scores/Press Ganey, etc), in addition to performance metrics (ex: core
measures) and benchmarks that drive and sustain outcome improvement
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A VISIBLE leader with a strong EXECUTION SKILLS and track record in patient
care quality and safety.
A combination of experience, education and training which substantially
demonstrated the following skills, knowledge and abilities regarding:
 Principles & practice of nursing that optimize patient care
 Principles of nursing administration & organization
 Patient care standard mandated by regulatory agencies
 Acute care hospital policies, procedures & routines
 Laws and regulations governing hospital operations, nursing practices &
administering as required by JCAHO, CMS, the State of VA, Federal
regulations, the Nurse Practice Act and any other Regulatory agencies.
A background in planning, implementation and supporting systems in a very complex
heath care environment
Track record in maintaining positive, collaborative and effective relationships with
physicians, peers, subordinates and superiors
CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS
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A results oriented spirit with a bias for action
Exudes passion and energy
Empowering of others, collaborative, decisive and INNOVATIVE
Self-confident and able to roll with the punches
An approachable executive presence
EXECUTION focused: a strong tactical leader with a systems orientation and a
demonstrated track record of excellence in execution
Process and outcome focused
A passion for building teams and developing strong leaders
Decisive and directive ,yet collaborative and open
Champions new technology, progressive practices and embraces change
Superior relationship building skills
Strong mentor with the ability to develop, support and maintain accountability
A team player who is highly visible and engaged.
Integrity of the highest order.
Laughs easily and often
EDUCATION/CREDENTIALS
Bachelors Degree in Nursing with an advanced degree in nursing, business or health related
area required. Licensed or eligible for licensing as a Registered Professional Nurse in the
state of Virginia.
Certified by a nationally recognized organization such as the American Nurse Credentialing
Center (ANCC,) American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) or American College
of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Holds at least one nationally recognized certification.
IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
1. Build a strong, collaborative and accountable nursing culture
2. Support and develop nursing leadership team
3. Drive staff engagement as measured by improvement in customer satisfaction
(Hcaph scores) and employee satisfaction/engagement (Press Ganey scores).
4. Improve and focus on quality and safety initiatives across the campus
5. Align clinical, quality and fiscal initiatives and priorities to address the changing
healthcare landscape
6. Create medical staff and ancillary partnerships that achieve strategic goals
DUTIES AND RESPONIBILITIES
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Responsible for oversight of hospital’s nursing department and its daily
operations
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Collaborates closely with the Inova System Chief Nurse Executive
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Over sees an operating budget of > $400M and over 2093 FTEs
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Creates a patient centric environment where cultural diversity is valued and
respected
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Ensures the provisions of services are consistent with the mission and goals of the
system, meet or exceed the standards for quality, service and staffing
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Plans , develops, implements and evaluates the clinical and administrative
operations of patient care and nursing, which include:
o All medical & surgical service lines & specialties
o Inova’s Children’s Hospital
o Inova Heart and Vascular Institute (IHVI)
o Emergency Services
o Critical and Progressive Inpatient units
o Ambulatory Services
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Utilizes research finding for the establishment of standards, practices and patient
care models in the organization
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Creates a culture of inter-professional teamwork to identify appropriate quality
initiatives metrics and goals
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Employs LEAN to improve processes across the organization.
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Participates with leaders from management, medical staff and clinical areas in
planning, promoting and conducting organization-wide performance improvement
activities
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Supports and implements system-wide employee engagement best practices
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Creates an environment in which others are setting expectations and holding one
another accountable
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Ensures that care delivery systems for clinical leadership are consistent with
needs of customers and address emerging trends
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Effectively develops partnerships with physicians and other care providers to
plan, support and evaluate care and outcomes. Efforts result in positive
comparative outcomes
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Participates with other members of the administrative team in developing,
implementing and evaluating strategic planning for the health system. Identifies
and acts on opportunities to enhance strategic business growth
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Provides counsel to the CEO and the Executive Team in matters of patient care
issues. Acts as spokesperson and interpreter to the Medical staff in executing
staff policies in day-to-day hospital management
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Identifies and promotes service excellence as the prevailing culture of the
organization
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Maintains contact with community agencies and other providers to assure
cooperative, collaborative relationships to enhance the provision of care for our
patients
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Facilitates nursing leadership competencies and professional development
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Provides staff with day-to-day coaching and feedback relative to their major
responsibilities, verified by efficient and smooth-running operation and a positive
response from employees in satisfaction survey
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Collaborates with the system CNE and Human Resources to ensure effective
recruiting, compensation, staff development, policies and procedures to provide
qualified employees to meet the organization’s need and to retain qualified staff
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In concert with the Executive Team develops operating and capital budgets,
setting attainable goals for direct reports using key metrics to monitor
performance and achievement results
Participate in cross-departmental decision making and represent nursing services
at Board of Director meetings
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Promote a corporate culture that fosters ethical and compliant behavior that
provides internal controls and compliance with all laws and regulatory
requirements
COMPENSATION
An attractive and market competitive compensation package will be offered.
Comprehensive benefits are provided.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Our client and The Buffkin Group firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal
opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin,
disability, veteran status of any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal,
state or local law.
CONTACT
Brenda Doherty RN, MSN
Partner, The Buffkin Group
Brenda@TheBuffkinGroup.com