Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall operational performance of the Critical Access Hospital (CAH). The COO provides strategic and operational leadership for hospital departments and services, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, and operational excellence.

The COO partners closely with the CEO, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Human Resources, Medical Staff, and department leaders to advance organizational goals, improve patient outcomes, optimize resources, and support the hospital's mission of providing exceptional healthcare services to rural communities throughout Maine.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the hospital's strategic plan.
• Translate organizational goals into measurable operational objectives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for hospital operations and support services.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence.
• Participate in Board of Trustees meetings and provide operational reports as requested.

Operations Management

• Direct and oversee day-to-day operations of assigned departments, which may include:

• Rehabilitation Services

• Imaging/Radiology

• Laboratory

• Pharmacy

• Environmental Services

• Facilities and Maintenance

• Dietary Services

• Registration and Patient Access

• Outpatient and Specialty Clinics

• Ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness across all service lines.

• Monitor key performance indicators and implement improvement initiatives.

• Coordinate organizational response to operational challenges and emergencies.

Quality, Safety, and Performance Improvement

• Promote a culture of patient safety and continuous quality improvement.
• Collaborate with clinical leadership to improve patient outcomes and patient experience scores.
• Support development and monitoring of quality metrics and organizational dashboards.
• Lead process improvement initiatives using evidence-based methodologies.

Regulatory Compliance

• Support organizational compliance with:

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation

• Critical Access Hospital regulations

• Maine state licensing requirements

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards

• Emergency preparedness requirements

• Accreditation standards and organizational policies

• Maintain survey readiness and support successful regulatory inspections.

Financial Management

• Collaborate with the CFO and department leaders in budget development and monitoring.
• Manage operational resources effectively to achieve financial goals.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, and cost management.
• Participate in capital planning and major operational investments.
• Support revenue enhancement and operational sustainability initiatives.

Physician and Provider Relations

• Build strong collaborative relationships with physicians, advanced practice providers, and clinical leaders.
• Support physician recruitment, onboarding, and retention efforts.
• Facilitate communication between operational departments and medical staff.
• Partner with providers to improve service delivery and patient satisfaction.

Workforce Leadership

• Support the recruitment, development, and retention of high-performing leaders and staff.
• Promote employee engagement, workforce development, and succession planning.
• Ensure effective performance management and accountability.
• Foster a positive organizational culture aligned with hospital values.

Community and External Relations

• Represent the hospital in community organizations, regional and state healthcare initiatives, and professional associations.
• Develop partnerships with healthcare systems, educational institutions, emergency services, and community agencies.
• Support community health improvement efforts and organizational outreach initiatives.

Emergency Preparedness

• Oversee hospital operational readiness for emergencies and disasters.
• Participate in emergency management planning, drills, and incident command activities.
• Ensure continuity of operations planning and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Bachelor's degree required in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Nursing, or related field.
• Master's degree highly preferred in Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), Public Health (MPH), Nursing, or related healthcare discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive healthcare leadership or equivalent experience preferred.
• At least 5 years of senior operational leadership experience in a hospital setting.
• Critical Access Hospital, rural healthcare, or community hospital experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, operations management, quality improvement, and financial performance management.

Preferred Certifications

• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) preferred.
• Lean Healthcare, Six Sigma, or other performance improvement certifications preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of Critical Access Hospital operations and rural healthcare delivery.
• Knowledge of CMS Conditions of Participation and healthcare regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze operational, financial, and quality performance data.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and process improvement initiatives.
• Strong business acumen and financial management skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with physicians, clinical leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to relate to people to win their confidence and establish support for programs.
• Ability to lead and manage through influence and change.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout hospital facilities and clinical departments.
• Ability to attend meetings, community events, and regional activities.
• Occasional travel within Maine and New England may be required.
• Ability to respond to operational emergencies outside normal business hours.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced healthcare environment requiring frequent interaction with staff, providers, patients, and community partners.
• Participation in executive leadership meetings, board meetings, and community events.
• Availability for occasional evening, weekend, and emergency response responsibilities.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Achievement of organizational strategic goals.
• Operational efficiency and productivity metrics.
• Regulatory compliance and survey outcomes.
• Patient safety and quality performance indicators.
• Employee engagement and retention.
• Patient experience scores.
• Financial performance and budget management.
• Growth and sustainability of hospital services.

Leadership Competencies

The COO is expected to:

• Demonstrate visible, collaborative leadership.
• Foster a culture of service excellence and accountability.
• Champion rural healthcare access and innovation.
• Support staff development and organizational learning.
• Model the hospital's mission, vision, and values in all interactions.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term success, sustainability, and community impact of a Critical Access Hospital serving the healthcare needs of rural Maine.