B.E. Smith Leads Chief Nursing Officer Searches for Baylor University Medical Center and University of New Mexico Hospitals
March 26, 2019 – As the life sciences sector continues to expand and reshape itself, vanguard organizations in the field are looking to bolster their leadership ranks. In demand: multi-skilled executives, physician leaders and nurses who can effect change on many levels. Of the four major C-suite roles in the typical hospital, in fact, it is the chief nursing officer who has been traditionally the most difficult to secure, according to recruiters.
B.E. Smith, a healthcare-focused executive search firm, has been selected to find new CNOs for Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and the University of New Mexico Hospitals. Senior executive consultant Richard Heishman is leading the assignments for the recruitment firm.
CNOs have a variety of duties, depending on the facility where they work. But most importantly, the position calls for supervising nurses and nurse managers. CNOs also oversee design and implementation of patient-care delivery, and serve as leaders in their facility’s efforts to maintain outcome levels. They are some of the most sought after and highly visible leaders in the hospital and healthcare environment.
Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas Search
At Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, the chief nursing officer is expected to serve as the driving force behind clinical operations, increased employee engagement, high retention and zero defects, as per Magnet standards, said B.E. Smith. The CNO should be comfortable and well established in a senior executive role and prepared to make impactful decisions in a complex environment. The individual will be charged with setting a high bar in regard to nursing care, serving as an example for other hospitals within the system. Candidates must have a BSN with a master’s or MSN and leadership experience as a CNO or associate CNO, along with having achieved Magnet designation.
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Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas is a 914-bed, Level I trauma center and serves as the flagship hospital of Baylor Health Care System. U.S. News & World Report’s annual “America’s Best Hospitals” guide has ranked BUMC among the nation’s top hospitals in several medical specialties every year since 1992.
University of New Mexico Hospitals
The system chief nursing officer for the University of New Mexico Hospitals provides clinical oversight of the administration, management and leadership of the inpatient and clinical programs and services within University of New Mexico Hospitals (527 licensed beds); University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital, including a 20 bed pediatric ER and ICU, a 34-bed pediatric acute care unit, a 20-bed pediatric oncology unit, a pediatric surgery suite and four OR suites; and Carrie Tingley Hospital. The individual will also provide support of the UNM Health System and UNM Health Sciences Center.
B.E. Smith said that the CNO “develops and oversees protocol and process for care quality, effectiveness and efficiency in a manner that supports financial viability and ensures the provision of high quality patient care.” In addition, the CNO is expected to establish and maintain a patient-centered environment while building partnerships with the senior leadership team, medical staff and throughout the community. The position requires a master’s degree in a related discipline and at least 10 years of progressive administrative experience.
The University of New Mexico Health System is the clinical arm of UNM Health Sciences Center, New Mexico’s only academic health center. UNM Health System is home to the state’s only Level I trauma center, only National Cancer Institute-designed comprehensive cancer center, a comprehensive stroke and neuro-trauma service, a comprehensive burn center, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgery program, advanced women’s care, adult and children’s psychiatric services, bariatric and orthopedic programs.
Healthcare Recruiters
Founded in 1978, Lenexa, KS-based B.E. Smith is a full-service healthcare interim leadership placement and executive search firm. For nearly a decade, the organization has been recognized annually by Modern Healthcare as one of the top search firms in its sector. The firm places interim leaders and executives across all healthcare settings, including acute care hospitals, academic medical and children’s hospitals, physician practices and post-acute care providers.
As a talent consultant at B.E. Smith, Mr. Heishman has more than 11 years of recruitment experience, specializing in sourcing highly qualified candidates. He partners with organizations to create strategic sourcing plans focused on identifying healthcare’s top talent. In his current role, Mr. Heishman matches C-suite and vice president executive healthcare professionals with leading healthcare organizations. Roles he fills include CEO, CFO, CNO, CMO, and CHRO.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
