Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you'll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You'll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none - one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You'll play a role in something that's never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes - as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary

The VP, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) sets and advances Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's nursing vision, translates strategy into practice and champions a differentiated culture that empowers nurses to deliver exceptional patient care.

While ensuring the delivery of high quality, safe and patient centered care, the CNO drives operational efficiency, clinical excellence, workforce development and regulatory compliance. This role collaborates closely with executive leadership, medical staff, allied health, researchers and operational leaders to support the organization's mission, vision and strategic goals integrating science into clinical care. The CNO establishes rehabilitation nursing practice standards to be implemented throughout the System of Care.

The CNO leads and directs the operations of various patient care ancillary service areas, including laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, dialysis and respiratory. In collaboration with the VP, Medical Affairs, the Chief Quality Officer, the Associate Chief Medical Officer, and the Clinical Operations VP Team, the CNO ensures quality improvement, accreditation and outcomes management goals are achieved.

The CNO will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.

The CNO will demonstrate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, & Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.

Job Description

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develops and implements the nursing strategic plan in alignment with organizational priorities.

• Serves as a key member of the vice president team and contributes to systemwide strategy, governance and resource planning.

• Attends the Translational Medicine Committee of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Board of Directors to represent nursing services.

• Leads nursing transformation initiatives, including care model redesign, digital health integration, and operational improvement.

• Chairs the Nurse Executive Council and leads the System of Care Nursing Leadership Forum. Through the Nursing Practice Council, assigns responsibility to individuals or groups of nursing staff members to act on improving nursing performance.

• Represents rehabilitation nursing at forums or committees throughout the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab System of Care, including strategic alliances.

• Provides nursing resources as necessary for discovery projects, focusing on systemwide growth.

Clinical Quality & Patient Safety

• Oversees nursing and ancillary services quality, patient safety programs, and practice standards.

• Collaborates with Chief Quality Officer to implement initiatives related to quality improvement.

• Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, state boards, etc).

• Implements evidence‑based practices, clinical protocols and quality improvement initiatives.

• Ensures development of systems that ensure safety, maintenance and availability for all supplies and equipment needed for effective and efficient operations of nursing and ancillary services.

Operational & Financial Management

• Directs nursing practice and/or operations across all care settings - inpatient, outpatient and DayRehab.

• Manages nursing budgets, staffing models, productivity standards and resource allocation.

• Directs and manages ancillary services including pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, respiratory, and dialysis.

• Drives cost‑effective care delivery while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

Workforce Planning & Leadership Development

• Leads recruitment, retention and engagement strategies for the nursing and ancillary services workforce.

• Promotes a culture of professional excellence, accountability and shared governance.

• Supports leadership development, succession planning and continuing education programs.

Patient Experience & Care Delivery Innovation

• Champions patient‑centered, compassionate and culturally competent care and drives improvements in experience scores and outcomes.

• Supports the integration of innovative technologies, virtual care and advanced practice roles.

• Participates in the design and development of systems compatible with the American Nurses' Association Code of Ethics, nursing standards, the goals and resources of the organization, changing societal needs and patient/family expectations.

• Collaborates across disciplines to enhance care coordination and operational workflows.

• Oversees nursing research and nursing education.

• Creates a work environment that facilitates and encourages critical thinking.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to the Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

Education

• Master's degree in Nursing, Health Administration, or a related field required.

• Doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, DNSc) preferred.

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) with Illinois license; nurse executive certification strongly preferred (e.g., NEA‑BC, CENP).

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in nursing administration.

• Demonstrated success leading large, complex healthcare operations.

• Experience with quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and clinical transformation.

• Strong financial, strategic planning, and change management skills.

• Experience with leading an organization toward Magnet designation.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and systems leadership.

• Ability to build trust and inspire teams.

• Clinical and operational expertise.

• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.

• Ability to drive large‑scale organizational change.

• Data‑driven decision-making and business acumen.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.

Pay and Benefits*:

Pay Range: $275,000.00 - $400,000.00 annually

Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience, leadership scope, internal equity, and market benchmarks. This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation and executive benefits.

Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits

• Benefits and benefits' eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will vary based on applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as internal equity.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.